Since June this year, I have been consistently writing down how much I spend every day among other things. Seeing it written down on my daily journal makes me reconsider my spending habits and lets me see just where I spend so much money and how to cut back. If you guys remember, I made a personal finance blog months back but maintaining two blogs is so hard, so I’m incorporating that to my personal blog. I’ll be sharing my financial diaries occasionally – maybe when I have some events affecting my finances.
I have mentioned a few times on my Twitter that I got the night shift for this month. I used to not like it, but now I’m eating my words. I love this shift! Some of the benefits are my commute time is lessened by half and the added benefits of the shift financially – nightshift premium and taxi allowance. I swear, I also spend 50% less this month as well compared to when I’m taking the morning shift! I can bring in dinner if I want to and with my weekends spend working as well, I’m not tempted to eat out and shop just because.
For reference of my international friends, PHP50 = 1USD. Without further ado, here is my money diaries from my last week in the night shift:
Day 1 – Sunday
I wake up anywhere from 8 – 11 AM on this shift. Today’s one of those days that I wake up at 11 and still feel like I haven’t slept at all – even though I got eight full hours of it. Mom wasn’t feeling too well so we had my younger brother buy lunch from Jollibee. It’s a ten-fifteen minutes bike ride. I added PHP60 since I wanted the burger steak supreme and mom only gives us a PHP60 budget for lunch, lol. I somehow got duped into paying for nuts (PHP150) that we’ll be sending out to Papa when my aunt goes back to Singapore. By 3 PM, I was dressed and ready for work. I took a tricycle (PHP8) and air-conditioned bus (PHP35) to work. I dropped by Robinson’s to buy myself a mango-melon smoothie (PHP59) from Fruitas. Then it’s work as usual. During weekends, we get a budget for food. We ordered for some pancit lucban, longanissa, chicken, and rice from Buddy’s. We’re out of paper plates and plastic spoon and fork so we shared that expense (PHP30) between us. I took a Grab home which was around PHP350~ but my company will reimburse me for it.
Total: PHP 342
Day 2 – Monday
I blog hopped in the morning while having my brunch of rice and chicken. I finally got around to replying to comments before heading to work. I took the bus route (PHP43) to work and arrived at least 30 minutes earlier than my shift. I passed by KFC and I gave in to my cravings to Ala King (PHP122) while upgrading the drink to iced tea. Work was busier today and we had dinner around 10PM. I ordered lechon macau with rice (PHP95) from Big Belly. Unfortunately, when I checked it once we got back to the office, they gave me sisig! Ugh, but it’s another ten minutes to go back so I just ate it. I took a PHP400~ Grab ride home.
Total: PHP 260
Day 3 – Tuesday
I have three days off this week so you can bet I slept in! I spent a few minutes filling up SSS and LTO forms since I’m going to be processing some IDs next week. After having brunch, I was mostly cuddling with our pup and organizing and post-processing my old travel photos. I get things done when my brothers are at school and the internet is faster than usual, lol. Around 5PM, we head out to my Ninang’s condo that’s just a five-minute drive away. My brothers headed straight to the condo after their school things. Ninang was cooking up a feast so I had two servings of baked mac and a slice of cheesecake. All of those were homemade and so, so good! No regrets since I only get to have a taste of her cooking when she comes home to Manila.
Cost: PHP 0
Day 4 – Wednesday
This day is eventful. I woke up around 10AM today and I got the house all to myself. I microwaved myself some instant mac and cheese and watched some television. Around 11 AM, I was getting ready for a team building event aka pig-out. I head out by 12PM when it suddenly poured down. Safe to say, the traffic was horrible. I took the bus (PHP43) to Pioneer and decided to grab a taxi to The Podium (PHP100) since I don’t know where it is. It’s literally behind SM Megamall. I’m dumb. By 2PM, I was almost at Podium when my teammates told me the buffet is only at 2:15 PM unlike the 3PM end time they told me. Irked, I told the taxi driver to head to Megamall instead.
I was really aiming to just eat for an hour since I have a date with my girl later on. I dragged myself to the food court instead and ordered myself a half dozen cheesy bacon chicken wings from Frankies’, two rice, and two bottled water (PHP309). I was supposed to only get one but it was when I was getting my order that I realized the mistake. I spent more than three hours in the food court, leeching off SM’s fast Wi-Fi and people watching. I took a side trip to H&M on the way down and all the sized were all too small! Ugh, sayang yung sale. I just booked a GrabShare to Glorietta instead. I used a PHP100 rewards coupon so I only paid PHP52. On the ride over, I was able to reserve both my friend and I’s tickets to Kita Kita on Sureseats and got the last seats! My friend paid for the tickets and the popcorn since she lost this month’s biggest loser challenge – should I talk on another post about this? We got late dinner at Torch in Greenbelt and met up with another friend. We shared pasta and pizza and I ended up paying PHP350 for my share. Around 12AM, I took another GrabShare home using another PHP100 rewards coupon. I paid PHP149.
Total: PHP 1003
Day 5 – Thursday
I got home around 1AM from my night out so I slept in. I got rice and chicken for lunch that mom left before she scurries off to wherever she goes. Around 3PM, I asked my cousin to buy us two boxes of pizza (PHP150) – the cheap kind, lol, and we shared it with the other kiddos. I spent the rest of the day editing and finally publishing a new post after at least two months of blog inactivity.
Total: PHP 150
Day 6 – Friday
I got paid today, and some automatically went to my bills. I paid my Globe bills (PHP1200) – IDK why it’s always at least 300 pesos over my plan, have to call Globe, my BPI credit card bills, and my Sunlife plan (PH1100 per cut-off). These are all my monthly expenses so I’m not counting it for today’s total. I actually had breakfast today and I have three pan de sal with hotdogs in it. For lunch, I had pork chop and a petchay soup with rice. By 3PM, I was off to work as usual and took my bus route (PHP43). For dinner, my officemates and I bought something from a Korean/Japanese resto. I had beef omurice with chapcae and a glass of iced tea. It was only PHP135. As usual, around 2AM, I got a Grab home. It’s around PHP400~ today but it’ll be reimbursed by my company.
Total: PHP 178
Day 7 – Saturday
Today’s my weekly weigh-in with my friend. I gained two pounds, as I haven’t really exercised lately and ate a lot. I started an accountability thread on twitter so I can log my exercises and I spent 45 minutes on the elliptical trainer during the morning. I had rice with chicken nuggets and egg for a late brunch before heading to work. I took the usual bus route – PHP43. It’s another weekend so we have dinner allowance. We ate at Eduardo’s Peri Peri Chicken and I had, well, peri peri chicken and rice. It’s all covered with our dinner allowance so I don’t have to spent a cent. Around 2AM, I took another Grab ride home that is, as usual, reimbursable by the company
Total: PHP 43
Weekly Total: PHP 1976
This is not one of my best weeks in this shift, financially speaking. On my first week in this shift, I spent less than PHP750! Haha. But it’s been since Taiwan that I hang out with my girls, so it’s worth it. I spent PHP526 for transportation and PHP1450 for food this week. Looking at this, I also realized that this is one of my best weeks this year. I didn’t go off buying food or other things that I don’t really use much. Since I’ll be back to the morning shift in two days, I already know that I’ll be spending more than I did this week, but hopefully not! Maybe I’ll make another money diary for that. I tend to have snacks and take complicated and desperate routes to get home during rush hour.
Money Diaries is a blog series started by Refinery29. It’s my favorite series of them. I hope to send in a detailed money diary to their site soon.
37 Comments
Mei
August 16, 2017 at 11:27 PMGirl grabe I can’t imagine the expenses brought by commuting and eating out. 🙁 Parang nasasayangan ako ganun hehe Ako bumibili lang ako sa carenderia para mas mura hehe or nagluluto sa apartment para mas makatipid. Kasi naman I have to pay bills naman at apartment rent. haha hope you could share more of this series, bet ko to infer 🙂 at sana macontinue mo yung finance blog mo 🙂
Richel V.
August 19, 2017 at 12:43 AMI spent quite a lot for eating out but it’s something that brings me joy so I don’t mind very much hehe. I have future posts planned for ~financial~ things and I’m excited to have it started. I’m taking a long hard look at my finances right now! Hahaha.
Madison
August 14, 2017 at 5:31 AMThis seems like a great way to hold yourself accountable! Maybe keeping track will help you see what you should spend less on when you have the morning shift!
Richel V.
August 14, 2017 at 8:48 PMI already finished my morning shift and it was bad as expected, haha! But I talked to my boss to put me forever on the nightshift so that’s a good move for my finances lol.
Tienne
August 11, 2017 at 1:42 PMI majored business in college but I’m very poor when it comes to personal finances! Props to you girl!!
Richel V.
August 12, 2017 at 4:25 PMThanks, girl!! I’m trying to be better – and I’m so interested in personal finance. I would love to be a part-time financial planner if I get a little more free time.
Lovely
August 9, 2017 at 6:36 PMHi, Richel! I believe listing down our expenses will bi a big help when it comes to budgeting. Right? Hehe.
Richel V.
August 12, 2017 at 5:03 PMDefinitely! I didn’t take note of my expenses one time and I end up spending my MONTH’s budget in A WEEK and a half!! It was crazy. I learned my lesson.
Da Dominguez
August 8, 2017 at 8:02 PMWow. This seems like a very interesting series. Might do this soon, because personally, I’m having a hard time saving up. Even though my current job pays more than the previous one, parang same lang din nase-save ko, so I really have to track my expenses down. 🙁 Yung mga small amounts na hindi mo napapansin, ang laki din pag nag-add up na.
And also, why is it always 300 to 400 with your ride home??? Is your house that far from your work???
Richel V.
August 12, 2017 at 5:12 PMThere was a few months this year that I didn’t track my expenses at all. I wasn’t buying anything expensive but the little things really messed up my budget. 🙁
My ride takes about 30 minutes going home. I still think it’s too expensive. Lately, it’s always 400-500 now. 🙁
Princess Peralta
August 8, 2017 at 7:50 AMI didn’t track my expenses because it stressing me out. I have a habit of “wag tipirin ang sarili” and end up for not saving my money for the whole month. I think I need this. As in >.<
Little Cessang | http://www.princessperalta.com
Richel V.
August 12, 2017 at 5:14 PMI’m a believer of treat yourself, but I don’t think that means not to save up at all. Hehe. I let myself loose for a few months with this mindset and omg, do I regret it a lot. I’m trying to be better at managing my finances. I think it’s one of the hardest thing to do between wanting to save up and wanting to get whatever your want because you think you deserve it.
Teesh Osita
August 7, 2017 at 6:12 PMI WISH MY COMMENT WENT THROUGH LOL
Richel V.
August 8, 2017 at 6:12 PMWhy does it seem like you always have problems with my comment system? LOL.
Teesh Osita
August 8, 2017 at 7:16 PMWhenever I click Submit, the comment box just goes away. It may just be my browser HAHAHAHA
Teesh Osita
August 7, 2017 at 6:12 PMI use an Excel file to track my expenses! Complete with graphs and all, to help me see where I spend my money the most lol
Richel V.
August 8, 2017 at 6:11 PMI’d want to use an Excel… but I’m not good at making my own templates lmao
Katie. lacoconoire (@lacoconoire)
August 6, 2017 at 8:38 PMi REALLY need to do this, i’ve been splashing the cash on my credit card a little too enthusiastically this month!
please share some of your organisation and will power with me?! hopefully reading up on your financial diaries will motivate to be a better bloody financier haha! but WHY is asos so tempting…
katie xx lacoconoire.com
Richel V.
August 7, 2017 at 10:17 AMI just got a credit card this year, and I feel your pain! I try leaving my card home and just bringing cash with me – forces me not to overspend. Haha!
Eena
August 4, 2017 at 2:32 AMOMG GURL. You spent roughly an estimated ~39.52USD when converted in a week?! I’m so jealous… That’s how I spend, on average, on two days. Three if I’m lazy and end up just staying at home.
Anyways, I love this kind of entry! I’ve been trying (but failing) to track my expenses since I’m seriously trying to save since Chris and I are planning on moving in together soon. Keep the money diaries comin’!
☼ cabin twenty-four
Richel V.
August 6, 2017 at 10:16 AMI’m sure the cost of living in there is pricier though! But I could easily spend that much on two days when I’m ~feeling~ rich then feel bad about it after 0.000001 second after! lol.
Ochi Bernadas
August 2, 2017 at 2:25 PMWaaaah this is such a nice diary! I hope I can be more conscientious in chronicling my finances too so I can save more, lol
Ochi | Ochi In The City
Richel V.
August 6, 2017 at 10:08 AMThis has two effects to me, either 1. I save more money or 2. I feel horrible with how much I spent that I spend some more. Lol.
Rose
August 2, 2017 at 11:42 AMI also track my expenses using my planner. It helps a lot especially if I want to backtrack why I only have this specific amount left as cash on hand. Maybe I’ll do a post inspired by this one of these days. 🙂
Richel V.
August 6, 2017 at 10:07 AMLet me know if you do. I’m strangely hooked on this series!
Beatrice
August 2, 2017 at 9:09 AMThis is so cool, you are so organized! You should post these kinds of posts more often, I don’t know why but it’s fun reading about people’s daily lives! And also very inspiring to save money 🙂 I followed you on Twitter and I love your accountability thread! The biggest loser thing that you are doing with your friends sounds super cool – you should definitely post about it.
Hope you have a good day !
Richel V.
August 6, 2017 at 10:12 AMDon’t worry, I get what you mean! I love reading other people’s post like this too. I’m thinking about making a post about that when I see some results. 😉
Hope you have a great weekend!
Kai
August 1, 2017 at 5:25 PMCompared from what I’ve read to the previous series, I can actually say your expenses decreased! The night shift has its perks too like staying at your office because malls are closed (and you get to save much much) and only few food stalls or convenient stores are only open so you actually spend a few. Keep this series up, will definitely read ’em!
Richel V.
August 1, 2017 at 7:56 PMYes, exactly. Most restaurants are closed so we can only eat from Mini Stop or this cafeteria downstairs hehehe. Today’s my last day at this shift and I’m s a d.
renalexis01
August 1, 2017 at 10:19 AMI’ve also been listing down every expense I made in my journal! I enjoyed reading this, Rich. Seems like I’m not the only one who gets to overspend sometimes, haha.
Richel V.
August 1, 2017 at 7:57 PMI’m just starting to turn this year around. My expenses the first few months of this year make me cringe!
irenefab
August 1, 2017 at 7:15 AMRichel!!! I missed your blog posts so much!!! Araw-araw kong inaabangan na may magnonotify sa email ko for a new blog entry from you hehe. Keep them coming please hehe. By the way this new entry makes me want to track my expenses too. Although I have a budget matrix for my savings and expenses madalas di ko nasusunod. I tend to overspend. Lalo na sa mga ‘biglaang gala’. 🙁
Richel V.
August 1, 2017 at 7:48 PMHuhu. That made me smile. So sweet of you! I suggest either writing down your expenses or getting a free app. It really makes you accountable of your spending. 🙂 I tend to overspend too when we have biglaang gala!! It’s the one pro for having work on weekends – I have no one to invite/invite me to. lol.
irenefab
August 3, 2017 at 9:59 AMHehe. Good for you! Having work on weekends has its perks din pala 🙂
Richel V.
August 6, 2017 at 10:08 AMHave to look at the pros! Hehe.
Louise Ramos
July 31, 2017 at 11:10 PMLove Refinery’s Money Diaries! I’ve always drafted my own but always second thinking if I should publish it, haha. I’ve been keeping track of my expenses since the start of the year through a phone app (Monefy) and it’s been so helpful! And when you see yourself going overboard, you learn to keep the expenses down. Pero ang galing mo magbudget, nahiya ako lalo jusqo. Love to read more on this series!!
xo, Lou | Caffeine Rush
Richel V.
August 1, 2017 at 12:01 AMSame!! I already had one drafted to go a month ago but I got shy, lol. I have a phone app too that’s called… Expenses. Haha. But I found myself being able to record it better when written down – though it’s easier to see if you’re going over the budget with the app. I think I’ll just encode my expenses to the app once a week.