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

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.