A Week In Columbus, OH On A $71,500 Salary

Occupation: Fundraising manager
Industry: Arts and culture
Age: 36
Location: Columbus, OH
Salary: $71,500
Assets: HYSA: $8,900; HSA: $2,300; various retirement accounts from previous jobs: $67,000: home equity: ~$47,000; other savings accounts: $5,200; checking: $1,500.
Debt: $144,000
Paycheck Amount: $1,950 (every other week).
Pronouns: She/her

Monthly Expenses

Housing Costs: $1,640 (includes home insurance and taxes).
Health, Vision, & Dental Insurance; HSA contribution: $222 (pre-tax deduction).
Retirement: $534 (state pension plan contribution at 10% of my salary, pre-tax deduction).
Phone: $40 (my portion of the family plan with my parents and brother).
Car Insurance: $69 (paid to the family insurance plan — my mom is still wildly undercharging me and and still hasn’t said anything/noticed).
Utilities: varies seasonally, but approximately $120 a month for electric, gas and water.
Internet: $65
Subscriptions: $3.50 monthly for Hulu and Disney+ (Black Friday deal), and I share accounts with my family for all other streaming services.
Donation: $20 to the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio.

Annual Expenses

Pet Insurance: $400 annually
Donations: ~$300 to other charities (education, arts and culture, animal rescues, my alma mater, etc.). I often wait to donate until there are matching funds available from a donor, to maximize my impact.
Amazon Prime: $119

Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Not an explicit expectation, but an implicit one, as I was very academically inclined throughout my schooling. I went to a small liberal arts college in Indiana. Definitely not an experience everyone would appreciate, but it was perfect for me! I received scholarships and some parent/grandparent assistance, and finished with ~$20,000 in loans that I paid off in 2021. I also went to graduate school for my master's degree in arts administration, but paid for my degree (and received a small stipend) by working as a teaching assistant.

Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances?
We didn’t really talk about money. We were middle class in a “coupons, camping vacations, no brand names, Olive Garden once a year for birthdays” kind of way. We moved from a lower-income urban neighborhood to a nicer, semi-rural suburb when I was in 7th grade, but we still kept most of our frugal habits. We always had what we needed, and some of what we wanted. As my parents approach retirement, we talk about money more frequently and candidly. I know they struggled at times in their early marriage and my childhood, but their finances have grown steadily over the years and they will be able to retire comfortably.

What was your first job and why did you get it?
Working in a print shop at my high school the summer after my freshman year. I really just wanted something to do and a little bit of extra cash. Other summers, I focused on volunteer work for my resume/college applications and didn’t have a paying job again until college, where I worked as a tutor and a tour guide for the admissions office.

Did you worry about money growing up?
Almost never. My mom has always been the main breadwinner in our household and was part of mass layoffs at her job when I was about 12 and we had just moved into a new house. She collected unemployment for a few months and I remember cutting back expenses during that time, but she was able to get a new job fairly quickly and things went back to normal.

Do you worry about money now?
Constantly. I bought a home about two and a half years ago and while she’s cute, she’s old and quirky. I’m always terrified about the next thing that’s going to break or planning ahead for the renovation I can’t afford (yet). As my parents age and I plan for my own future, I get worried/mad that pursuing a career path that brings me a lot of personal fulfilment and puts “good” into the world sometimes seems like nothing compared to tech and finance careers and the security afforded to them.

At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?
When I moved out of my parents’ house at age 23 (after moving back in after college for two years). I was on their insurance until age 26 and am still on the family plans for car insurance and cell phones, but I pay my mom back for those expenses every month. I know they would support me in any type of financial crisis to the best of their ability, even if it was just a place to live and food on the table.

Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain.
After my grandmother passed, I was gifted $10,000 from her estate to put towards a down payment on my first house. She also bought savings bonds for me throughout my childhood, and I cashed in the ones that have matured for ~$2,000. I also received ~$6,000 total from my other grandparents when they passed. I’m sure my parents have plans for their assets and how to divide them between my younger brother and I, but I'm definitely not thinking about that now.

9 a.m. — I wake up to a SNOWGLOBE outside my bedroom window — guess I didn’t check the weather! The fattest, fluffiest snowflakes are flurrying and rapidly accumulating. It would be beautiful if I didn’t need to leave the house today. I let J. (my dog) out to do his business while I get the coffee started. Since my last Money Diary, I bought a house (!!) with a fenced-in backyard, so morning potty breaks are much easier. I’ll probably forget to mention it, so moving forward, please assume that J. has been adequately fed, watered, entertained, and given bathroom breaks.

9:30 a.m. — Make my current go-to breakfast (high-fiber English muffin, peanut butter, and blueberries) and take my vitamins (Grüns gummies) while I read a couple chapters of my book (Belladonna by Adalyn Grace) and start planning my timeline for the rest of morning. I’m trying to juggle the timing of a) shoveling the driveway and cleaning snow off my car, b) not being sweaty and gross from said activity, c) getting ready to go into work for a bit, and d) not getting snowed in again.

11:30 a.m. — Driveway shoveled (-ish) and car cleared off with only minor sweating — check! The roads look pretty gnarly and haven’t been plowed yet, but I don’t really have much of a choice about going out since it’s work related. I pop a couple frozen veggie and egg white bites in the air fryer while I get ready. I try to balance the weather with my desire to look presentable and end up with black slacks and flat boots and a hot pink blazer. Wash face, moisturize, sunscreen, and just a touch of makeup (low-maintenance girl here — just drugstore brands), hair and dental hygiene, quickly eat the egg bites, and I’m ready to go.

12:30 p.m. — The snow slowed down significantly, but that was NOT my favorite drive to work. Since my last diary, I started a new job as a fundraiser at a non-profit botanical garden. I’ve been here a little over a year and love it. Today, I’m hosting some of our donors for a little reception and exhibit tour with the horticulture team. I stop at Panera to pick up the coffee I ordered ahead of time ($57, expensed) and then stumble/slide through the parking lot with all my refreshments and event supplies to get set up for my guests to arrive. As I set up the room, the cancellation emails start rolling in because of the weather — hopefully some folks still show up! 

4:30 p.m. — A little over 20 people showed up for the tour! A few less than I expected, but honestly not bad for the weather. The donors had a great time learning about how the seasonal plant displays are planned and assembled, and learned some great tips about plant care. I love giving our horticulture team the accolades and spotlight they deserve! Even though I’ve worked here for about a year, my green thumb doesn’t seem to have grown in yet… Just ask my plant graveyard. RIP ZZ plant and snake plant (you know, the ones people say are impossible to kill? TRY ME).

5 p.m. — I’d invited my mom to join the donor tour, with the ulterior motive of having her be my personal chauffeur. I need to take my car in for some work, so after the tour she follows me to the auto shop where I drop my car off and then takes me home.

6 p.m. — Back home with the pupper and I’m ready for a night in. I love events and working with my donors, but it is tiring to be “on” all the time. Face washed and PJs on immediately. I’m a sucker for a matching PJ set — tonight’s pair is a long sleeve button-down set in navy blue with a celestial pattern. Read a few chapters under a blanket on the couch, feed and throw a ball for J., and start some dinner. I pan-fry a frozen scallion pancake from Trader Joe’s, top it with rotisserie chicken and Caesar salad from a kit, and eat it like a giant taco. YES PLEASE — crispy, flaky, creamy, crunchy… It’s hitting all the senses.

8 p.m. — I pour myself a glass of red wine while I settle down for a cozy night (which honestly is most nights in the winter — I strongly believe that as mammals we should be hibernating right now) of cross-stitch and Game of Thrones in the background. It’s the perfect combo for me — I’m usually looking down at my stitching when anything gross happens but I can still follow along with the plot. The dog has cuddled as close as possible to me on the couch, but lightly growls when I change positions, like I’m personally insulting him. Make it make sense. Whatever, I love him.

8 a.m. — Wake up reluctantly, but it’s a work from home day, so that’s not so bad. Dog, coffee, shower, change into comfy leggings and an oversized sweater, and toast an English muffin (with PB and bluebs) for breakfast before settling down in my home office to start my day around 9 a.m.

12 p.m. — I take a quick lunch break to start a load of laundry and throw together a snacky lunch of salami, gouda cheese cubes, sesame crackers, sliced cucumber, and grapes. I work from home on Mondays and Fridays and generally catch up on webinars and plan the calls and outreach to donors that I need to do on my in-office days. I get a call from the auto shop that they’re starting to look at my car now, and should have more details for me tomorrow. Cars are my least favorite thing to spend money on but mine is in decent shape for being 13 years old and it’s better than having a car payment.

2 p.m. — What I do like to spend money on is clothes, although I have seriously cut back on my impulse spending. I love the brand Universal Standard (it’s high quality and its clothes are a good fit for my petite, mid-size body), but I can’t afford them without sale prices. I see that they have Mystery Boxes available for a great discount, and after some research in Facebook groups, I find out that I can take a peek into the code of the website and get a preview of what (hopefully) will be in my box. After about 20 minutes of snooping around, I add two Mystery Boxes (four items each) to my cart, for a total of $344. If I did my snooping correctly and they ship all the items I think they will, the retail/full-price value of those eight items add up to well over $1,500 and includes a leather jacket! This will likely be the only clothes shopping I do until summer, and I know that if I don’t love everything that comes, I can resell the items in the Facebook group. (Update: I did get the leather jacket! Unfortunately it's a little too big, so I am trying to sell it. A couple other items got swapped, but overall I’m very pleased with my “surprises”!) $344

4:30 p.m. — Wrap up work for the day! I finish the laundry I started earlier and put it away, play fetch with J., and give the bathroom a quick wipe- down.

7 p.m. — Make some dinner (the same scallion pancake/chicken Caesar salad situation as yesterday), turn on my electric fireplace and light a candle for some cozy vibes, and spend the rest of the night reading and watching Grey’s Anatomy (I’m only in season 8!). Bedtime around 10 p.m. for all humans and critters.

6:45 a.m. — I wake up to my alarm and J. leaping off the bed to demand that his servant (me) attends to his every need. I start the normal routine of potty breaks, coffee, shower, and breakfast. My mornings are very non-aesthetic. Since I need to be in the office today and still don’t have my car, I call a Lyft ($8.50 — $6.50 with a 50% coupon I had on my account + $2 tip) and get a ride to work. $8.50

8:30 a.m. — I arrive at the office (after being accidentally dropped off down the block and having to walk through the ice to get to the building) and get started with my day. Emails, a team meeting, follow-up on a few calls, and do some research on “tap to give” style devices and software that we can have accessible for guests who would like to make a donation to the organization during their visit.

12:15 p.m. — I eat my packed lunch (apple pecan salad kit from Costco, with some rotisserie chicken) at my desk while I shop online for a gift. I’m visiting my best friend in Indiana in a few weeks and she just found out that she is pregnant after several rounds of fertility treatments! She’s pursuing motherhood as a single woman, and I’m so proud of her for knowing what she wants and being brave enough to give it a go. This baby will be my first nephew/niece and I’m so excited — I have a lot of “fun aunt” energy to give! I find a onesie with “Auntie’s Favorite” on it and add it and a couple other onesies to my cart. I’m also throwing a baby shower for my cousin in a few weeks, so some of these items will be gifted to her then. $44

2:45 p.m. — The auto shop finally calls with the diagnostics and estimate for my car — WOOF. I had them look at my air conditioning (which has been broken for the past two years but I just sucked it up and rolled the windows down), a brake issue, and my check engine light was on. I authorize the work and mentally prepare myself for the invoice in a few days.

3:30 p.m. — My dad happens to be near my office today and offers to give me a ride home since my car isn’t ready. He picks me up and we chat about his job and general car stuff until we get to my house. My parents moved to my current city from my/their hometown about six months ago, and it’s so nice to be able to see them more regularly. At home, I spend the next hour or so wrapping up my day in my home office.

5 p.m. — I have choir rehearsal tonight, so I pull out my music and run through everything briefly to warm up and work through a few problem spots that I marked from last week. I’m not super hungry, so I top a bowl of cottage cheese with sliced cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and everything bagel seasoning for dinner. Luckily, my mom also sings in choir with me, so she picks me up from my house around 6 p.m. and we head to rehearsal together. My director can sometimes be a little dramatic (artists, eyeroll), but I have to have music in my life and love singing in a group — there’s nothing like the magic that comes from making art together! I find out that I got the solo I auditioned for (yay!) and I can’t wait to sing it during our concert in a few weeks.

9:30 p.m. — My mom and I gossip about choir all the way back to my house. After she drops me off, I wind down with dog cuddles and a few chapters of my book. Tonight’s PJs are joggers and a matching top in blush pink with orange and yellow flowers. Lights out!

8 a.m. — Since I don’t have any meetings today and still don’t have a car, my supervisor says that I can work from home today, so I get to sleep in a little. I looked into taking the bus to the office this week, but even though I only live six miles away it would have taken over an hour to get there on two different buses and a ¾ mile walk in freezing temps. Ridiculous. My city’s public transportation is shockingly bad for how big we are.

9 a.m. — Take breakfast and coffee to my desk and call the auto shop because they never followed up with me yesterday about when I’ll get my car back. I (politely) emphasize that I’m a one-car household and need to make plans if I’m not going to have my car by the end of the day.

12:15 p.m. — Lunch is the same apple pecan salad and chicken combo from yesterday with a mini Diet Coke that I found tucked away in the depths of the fridge. I watch some of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross while I eat. All those happy little trees are very relaxing.

2 p.m. — The auto shop finally calls back and they don’t actually tell me when my car will be done, but they do offer me a loaner car. I’ll take the wins where I can get them! I contemplate taking an Uber/Lyft to the shop, but realize that this time the bus is actually moderately convenient. I finish what I was working on, bundle up in winter coat and hat, and head out to the bus stop about a 12-minute walk away. I have to cross a highway overpass and a train tracks, so it’s a little treacherous, especially with snow and ice still on the ground, but I make it to the bus stop with time to spare. I pay my fare and about 15 minutes later the bus drops me off right across the street from the auto shop. $2

2:45 p.m. — A woman about my age (I think? I feel like I can only tell if people are under 25 or over 60 these days) gets me set up with the paperwork for the loaner car, and I notice her water bottle is covered with dragon, fantasy, and other book-ish stickers. I ask her if she’s read Onyx Storm (latest book in the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros) and we immediately start sharing theories, reviews, and what we’re reading next. She mentions her book club and that she’s hosting a fantasy ball in our city this spring, and I immediately find the Instagram and follow the account — it looks fun! Keys in hand, I drive the loaner car (which is plastered on every side with stickers advertising the business) home and get back to work.

5:30 p.m. — I close my laptop and get ready to head out for the evening. I change from comfy clothes into wide-leg black jeans, black boots, and a drapey forest green top. I’m meeting my friends (the ones from the holiday party in my last Money Diary) for our monthly happy hour. We’re a group of approximately 15 former or current coworkers (and partners/spouses) and have been meeting once a month for drinks for over four years. Attendance ebbs and flows, but I love catching up with them every month. Tonight, we’re headed downtown to a small cocktail bar that has rotating themed menus — right now, it’s “MOMA” themed, with each cocktail inspired by a piece of modern art from the museum.

6:15 p.m. — There are seven of us for drinks tonight, and while the cocktail theme is so cool, I have to google approximately 60% of the ingredients (orgeat? Apparently it’s an almond syrup). I choose a Vincent van Gogh-inspired vieux carré (whisky cocktail) and it arrives in a beautiful stemmed glass with a small, wrapped… Fruit?... That the waitress says is an olive. I nibble on one end and it tastes like a firm dried apricot or raisin. Interesting. Everyone else’s cocktails are equally beautiful and mysterious — I’m not sure if we’re cool enough to be here, but the vibes are fun!

7 p.m. — We order some appetizers for the table and chat about the state of the world (bad), politics (very bad), new houses (good, but exhausting), the weather (horrid), pets (delightful), and the fact that two attendees were in the hospital last month with heart issues and didn’t tell any of us (berated soundly by everyone). I also tipsily reenact how I found a bat on the floor at work last week and caught it under a cardboard box (all while using Google Translate to explain to our lovely cleaning lady in Spanish what the heck I was doing) and then called in the local bat rescue to come pick it up and rehabilitate it. I am applauded as a hero to bat-kind.

8:30 p.m. — I pay for my drinks and a portion of the shared appetizers + tip ($39). Everyone heads home after scheduling the next happy hour. THIS IS THE KEY TO ADULT FRIENDSHIPS! When the first person stands up to leave, pick the date of your next get-together — it gets something on the calendar with enough time for people to plan around it and holds everyone accountable to being part of the process. $39

9 p.m. — Back home, I apologize profusely to the dog for leaving him alone and he forgives me (he is so pampered — he weighs 22 pounds but has a twin-size memory foam bed all to himself. I also leave NPR playing on the radio for him when I’m away — he’s more up-to-date on news and global music than I am!). I get ready for bed and think about the nice girl I met at the auto shop today and her book club. I’m always looking for more like-minded friends, so I shoot my shot and message her on Instagram and ask if her book club is accepting new members. Meeting friends in the wild like that is the dream, right? Fingers crossed that she doesn’t think I’m weird!

6:45 a.m. — Non-aesthetic morning routine, and drive into the office. I remember to pack the leftover snacks from my event on Sunday and a few extra tote bags. We’re swapping offices around today and I’m moving up to a desk on the third floor, so I need the bags to bring my things up there. The girl from Instagram messages back and adds me to the book club group chat!

10 a.m. — I have my bi-weekly meeting with my supervisor to touch base on projects, events, and everything else we’ve got on. I share a draft of the donor newsletter I’m working on and we talk about strategies for how to approach some upcoming meetings with donors we don’t know very well yet. I take photos off my corkboard and start to move everything upstairs. My new desk is… Not my favorite. It’s clearly an old desk from the ’90s (there are spots for CD storage!) that has been up here for years. Oh well, it’s just a desk, and I like my new roommates.

12:15 p.m. — I heat up my lunch (frozen butternut squash mac and cheese from Trader Joe’s) and eat at my desk while mindlessly scrolling. After that, I drive over to our main building to pick up something that was left for me at the admissions desk. I chat with a couple coworkers and decide to take a few minutes to walk around. Butterflies have just started to be released in our big rainforest room for the annual butterfly garden exhibition, so I take a leisurely walk through and soak up with humidity and tropical warmth. I hear a parent and child talking about the life cycle of butterflies and being gentle so the butterfly will land on them, and my heart melts. So sweet!

4:15 p.m. — I get the call that my car is finished and ready for payment and pick up, so I head out to the auto shop. I trade the loaner car keys for mine, pay for the repairs, and head home. $2,047

5 p.m. — Home, dog cuddles… You know the drill! My mom and I are season subscribers to the Broadway series in town and we have a show tonight! She’s picking me up later, so I spend some time reading, tidying up, playing with J., and making some dinner (everything bagel, breaded cod, and green beans). My mom arrives around 6:15 p.m., and J. goes wild. She’s his favorite person other than me. In a flurry of dog hair, we say hello, put the pupper to bed, and head out to the theater. She pays for parking downtown.

10 p.m. — The show — &Juliet, a ’90s pop jukebox musical about Juliet’s life if she didn’t kill herself after Romeo did — was wildly funny and joyful with a fantastic cast. Bravo! I’m a lifelong theater kid and see 20+ musicals, plays, operas, and ballets a year through a combination of “pay what you will” discount performances, complimentary tickets from friends and family who work in theater, “tourism board insider” tickets from a professional certification, and season subscriptions. Back home, I get ready for bed with Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys mashups roaring through my head.

8 a.m. — My second work from home day of the week, so I embrace the slow start to the morning. I pull on a comfy waffle-knit top and fleece lounge pants and take my coffee and breakfast to my desk after my morning ablutions and pet adoration.

12 p.m. — I take my lunch break to eat some steamed dumplings and run a few errands. In addition to singing in my choir, I’m also on the board and we are looking for new rehearsal spaces. I drive to two churches near my house and drop off some materials for them to review. I stop for gas on the way home. $32

5 p.m. — The rest of the day is just wrapping up the work week and taking the occasional break to stare moodily out the window at the Midwest gloom.

6 p.m. — After a busy week of post-work socializing, I’m ready for a night in. I take an Everything Shower and put clean sheets on the bed, make a frozen pizza, and flip between Grey’s Anatomy and reading until it’s time for bed.

7 a.m. — I’m up and moving earlier than normal for a weekend because I’m volunteering at a prom dress giveaway event for local high schoolers as a personal shopper. I get ready and dress in all black (as instructed) with comfy pink sneakers. Another English muffin for breakfast, but this time with cream cheese, everything bagel seasoning, and smoked salmon. Coffee in hand, I’m out the door!

8:30 a.m. — I arrive at the boutique and immediately am overwhelmed. It’s a flurry of tulle and estrogen. Someone tosses a pink apron and a nametag at me and we start a brief orientation with about 100 other volunteers. By the end of training, a couple of returning women have adopted me and shared their tips and tricks (bandaids on your fingers to help you grip zippers, safety pins and binder clips to adjust the fit, and where the snacks are!). I jump in line with other volunteers and get ready to meet my student.

12:45 p.m. — I stumble out of the boutique exhausted and covered in glitter. I ended up helping three different girls pick out their prom dress and accessories, and each one ended up with something totally different and perfect for them. The boutique serves over 1,200 students over three weekends each year and is quite the operation! I drive through Taco Bell on the way home and order a Crunchwrap Supreme. $5.29

1:30 p.m. — Back home, I change into leggings and an oversized sweatshirt and eat my Taco Bell and an apple for lunch, with the dog watching my every bite. I spend the rest of the afternoon reading with J. lying on my lap, doing random chores around the house, using Canva to design some signs for my cousin’s baby shower, and watching YouTube videos.

6:30 p.m. — I was supposed to go over to a friend’s house for her birthday party, but I’m just not feeling it. I just saw her earlier this week at happy hour and I have plans to see her next week, so I don’t feel too guilty about it. I text her my regrets and change into PJs (black with tigers and tropical leaves). Dinner is leftover pizza and some green beans sautéed with onion and garlic salt, and sparkling water with lime. I have a performance with my choir tomorrow, so I turn on our rehearsal playlist in the background and run through the songs in my head while I eat.

8 p.m. — I pick up my cross stitch again, pour a glass of red wine, and turn on How to Train Your Dragon. I’m in the mood for something cute and mindless! A friend texts to remind me to RSVP for the watercolor painting class she’s teaching next weekend, so I venmo her the class fee. I settle down for the evening with a mug of hot tea with honey to soothe my throat in preparation for my choir concert tomorrow — good night! $25

“Other than the car repair, this was a fairly average week for me! A few years ago, a big expense like that would have sent me into a panic spiral, but now that my student loans are paid off and I have a better handle on my finances, I have some savings to pull from and a solid plan to keep on track financially. I didn’t go grocery shopping this week, but my other purchases more or less averaged out to normal weekly spend. I try and keep my ‘extracurriculars’ fairly low cost so I can direct that money toward other goals, like travel. I’ve really cut back on my impulse purchases in 2025 and am prioritizing experiences and using what I already have in creative ways. I’ll always be a little anxious about money, but writing a second Money Diary makes me really grateful for my life and proud of what I’ve accomplished.”