cost of living

“I’m saving a bunch”: How a bureaucrat making $75,000 changed his spending habits during the pandemic

Matthew Casselman was fortunate to keep his job during the pandemic. Did quarantine force him to reconsider his spending habits?

“I bet $400 on an NFL game”: How a production team leader spends his money

Recent splurges include a fancy belt and a vintage Duke Ellington record

“I dropped nearly $4,000 on sneakers last year”: How an email marketer and an accountant spend their money

She’s partial to Hermès, he likes cars and sneakers

“Value Village is my weakness”: How a pharmacy student spends his $18K

OSAP covers most of his tuition

“I got tired of living in cheap sublets”: How a software engineer spends his $90K

He’s saving for a big European vacation

“At this rate, I might need to get a second job”: How a community arts worker divvies up her $40K

She’s paying down debt and trying to build her savings

“I sell plant hangers, pottery and terrariums on the side”: How a tequila bar manager makes it work on $46K

Hint: she shares a three-bedroom condo with four roommates

“I’m saving up to buy a house in the next five years”: How a brand strategist spends her money

Her dad sold his Porsche to help her pay the lease on her BMW

“We split our rent 60-40 to keep things fair”: How an urban designer and a data scientist spend their money

Recent splurges include Lollapalooza tickets and a Lady Gaga tattoo

“I use my second bedroom as an art studio”: How a 27-year-old innovation consultant spends her money

Sunday treat: Perrier-Jouët champagne

“My parents will help with tuition, but I cover my living costs”: How a 23-year-old health care case manager spends his money

He's saving for grad school

“I’m saving $2,500 a month for a down payment on a condo”: How a cannabis tech worker spends her money

She wants to buy a pre-construction unit in Leslieville

“I use my credit card for everything to rack up points”: How a 31-year-old realtor and interior design student spends her money

She flips houses on the side

“A toke is my equivalent to a glass of wine at night”: How a producer and part-time DJ spends his money

He saves on rent by living with a roommate

“Food and coffee are my vices”: How a 27-year-old kindergarten program director and part-time barista spends her money

She takes the TTC five or six times a day to get from one job to the next