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What we spend: How two sisters deal with a massive rent increase

By Jemima Skelley|

With our What We Spend series, we're taking a look at the different ways Aussie ?couples and housemates spend their money each week.

This week, we're looking at the finances of Allie and Tara*, two sisters living in Sydney.?

Tara: A 27-year-old receptionist and bartender, earning $70,000 per year.?

Allie: A 31-year-old journalist earning $98,000 per year.

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Two girl friends chatting and catching up at home while sitting on the living room floor.
Allie and Tara live together in Sydney. (Getty)

What are your weekly bills/expenses? Any savings?

Tara

Rent: $450
Groceries: $90
Phone and internet: $25
Streaming: $10
Gym: $39?
Utilities: $22 [paid quarterly]
Saving: $200

Total weekly expenses for Tara: $836

Allie

Rent: $450
Groceries $50
Food subscription box: $49
Gym: $17
Phone and internet: $25
Fuel and parking: $10
Health insurance: $17
Utilities: $22 [paid quarterly]
Savings: $500

Total weekly expenses for Allie: $1140

What are your thoughts on your spending habits? Do you spend much outside your weekly regular expenses??

Tara: Our rent just went up $60 each per week, which has taken a big hit to my ability to save. I cancelled my health insurance so I could afford it. But we live in such a convenient location จC I can walk to both my jobs, and I just don't want to give that up. Also I know my gym membership is a high price, but it's such a good place I can't go back to a cheaper gym.?

Allie: Yeah, the rent increase is a real killer. I haven't really changed too much about my spending habits though, just trying to splurge less during the week. I could cut down on my meal subscription box, but it just saves me so much time and I hate cooking.?

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Close up of a Young adult woman preparing a healthy salad in the kitchen
Allie relies on a food subscription box. (Getty)

Monday

Tara: I always get a coffee and croissant combo on Monday morning as my weekly ritual, $12. Other than that, I spent nothing today.?

Allie: I worked from home, so spent nothing.?

Tuesday

Tara: I work at a pub a couple of nights per week, so after my shift ended I got takeaway on the way home from Oporto, $17.?

Allie: I spent $5.60 on my Opal card getting into the office, and $12 on a sandwich for lunch.?

Wednesday

Tara: I bought a bottle of wine after work to share with Allie, which we do every Wednesday. That was $20.?

Allie: Again, $5.60 for the train and then $4.50 on a coffee. I grabbed some coriander and a block of chocolate from Coles on the way home, $8.20.?

Thursday

Tara: I bought my lunch today, which was $17.50.

Allie: I didn't buy anything today.?

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Champagne cocktail. The bartender pours champagne into a glass to prepare a fashionable cocktail. Close-up with people's hands.
Tara works in a bar to supplement her income. (Getty)

Friday

Tara: After my bartending shift, I stayed back to have a few drinks with coworkers, so got an Uber home for $12.?

Allie: On my lunch break I did some shopping, and spent $70 on a new pair of shoes and $50 on two t-shirts.?

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Saturday:

Tara: I had lunch with friends at Yum Cha, which was $32 each. Then at a bar I spent $25 on a round of drinks.?

Allie: It was a friend's birthday, I spent $30 on flowers, then we went out for dinner which was a $80 set menu.?

Sunday:?

Tara: I worked in the afternoon, so bought a coffee on my way in, $5.?

Allie: It was a zero spend day today.?

Total weekly spending for Tara: $140.50

Total weekly spending for Allie: $265.90

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Woman hands holding piggy bank on wooden table. Saving money and financial investment
It's hard to save while also paying rent. (Getty)

Final thoughts

Tara: Very happy with how little I spent this week, sometimes I tend to buy myself little treats every day which end up costing a ton when you look back. But since the rent's gone up, I definitely have to be a little more conservative.?

Allie: The shopping and my friend's birthday made this week a little more spendy than usual, but I think it's fine having weeks like this if you balance it out with weeks where you save more.?

*Names have been changed.?

The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

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