/
1x
Advertisement
Proudly Canadian, obsessively Toronto. Subscribe to Toronto Life!
Life

“I’m one of the only people I know who owns a house”: how a digital marketing manager lives on $68,500 a year

By Steve Kupferman
Copy link
(Image: Holly Blair)
(Image: Holly Blair)

Who: Christina Dong, 29

What she does: A manager at a boutique advertising firm, where she handles accounts and helps clients with marketing strategies.

What she makes: $68,500 a year, pre-tax and before her bonus.

Some of how she spends it: Mortgage payments on a three-bedroom bungalow near Birchmount and Danforth: $286 weekly. (“I am one of the only people I know my age who owns a house.”) Property taxes: $2,300 a year. Debt repayment on credit cards and family loans: $300 a month. Insurance: $265 a month. RRSP contribution: $300 a month. (“I got a raise in July, and I said, ‘Just put it in my RRSP so I don’t see it.’")

What she bought in one week: Lunch at Mengrai Gourmet Thai: $22. (“I don’t eat out very often. I would say I go out for brunch once a month.”) Rabbit food: $15. (“Adopting a rabbit at the humane society is probably about as difficult as adopting a child.”) Polo helmet and lesson: $500. (“At a $100 a lesson, I don’t see that as a huge barrier to entry. I decided to invest in my own helmet. I’ve been saving up for it for months.”) Downtown parking fees: $65. Gas: $33. Groceries: $81.

Advertisement

THIS CITY

Obsessive coverage of Toronto, straight to your inbox

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Big Stories

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber
Deep Dives

Inside the rise and fall of the Vaulter Bandit, the 21st century’s most notorious bank robber

Inside the Latest Issue

The June issue of Toronto Life features our annual ranking of the best new restaurants. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.