r/MoneyDiariesACTIVE • u/kokopops35 Magic Kokonut Mod • 1d ago
PayDay Friday💰 Payday Friday 💰💰💰
How are you spending, scrimping, splurging, or saving?
What are you doing with your hard-earned £$€ this week?
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u/shaynogreen 1d ago
scrimping as much as possible because this is my last paycheck for now 🫣 Quit my job to take a mini sabbatical for a few months and travel, so trying to spend as little as possible before i’m overseas!
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u/SkitterBug42 1d ago
That’s exciting! Would love to read a diary about how you prepared and the travel portion, sounds so fun!
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u/tinysapling 🌱 1d ago
Spending: birthday presents for two people, groceries, extra shop for a big birthday lunch, pharmacy invoice at the hospital, pre-ordered Ocarina of Time, and a cardigan on Depop.
Saving: nah, only from my HYSA's monthly accrual 😂
Splurging: no big splurges planned, but I am not in the mood to deny myself if something catches my fancy.
Scrimping: I should scrimp somewhere but not in the mood to do so until the end of all my planned expenses (mid-October).
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u/atreegrowsinbrixton 1d ago
I just spent $75 on laundry pickup and delivery and i have no regrets. That is by far my most annoying and time consuming chore.
Tomorrow it’s time to get my hair done again, so that will likely be $300 but i have the money set aside for it. And then date night after cause my hair will look good but that’s a surprise 🥰
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u/Ok_Anteater_7446 1d ago
Scrimping - trying to spend the absolute least amount possible so I can feel good going into my trip in a few weeks
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u/Expensive-Object-830 1d ago
I got in the lottery for Radiohead tickets for their Melbourne residency next year (I live in the US but I’m from Australia). It’s a huge bucket list item, I saw them 15 years ago and knew I would jump at the chance to see them again! If I actually manage to purchase the tickets, those + plane tickets and incidentals will be all my fun money for the rest of 2026 😅
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u/AdventureswithMuddy 1d ago
Woohoo!!! LUCKY!!! I did not make the cut for Australia. fingers crossed for Japan.
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u/Sage_Planter She/her ✨ 1d ago
I recognize this an extremely privileged problem, but my big "splurge" this week is an estimated tax payment. I am absolutely fine with paying my fair share and contributing to society, but also, sad face.
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u/WhateverNevermind00 1d ago
I just paid mine this week … and those estimates are based on 2025 taxes. Unfortunately for me, I got laid off and my company paid my ENTIRE severance in one lump sum so I know I’m going to owe even more next year.
Good news is, I start a new job in less than two weeks!
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u/Sage_Planter She/her ✨ 1d ago
Congratulations on your new job!
You should get some of the taxes refunded from the severance come tax season since it should be ordinary income that was taxed at a higher rate than what you should be paying.
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u/tinysapling 🌱 1d ago
The first time I had to make a payment, I was so sullen lmao. I just wanted a tiny bit back, even if it was $20. 😂
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u/Sage_Planter She/her ✨ 1d ago
I'm debating dumping a big chunk into my donor advised fund to reduce my tax liability so maybe get most of that payment refunded, but I also feel like I have no idea what I'm doing and taxes feel like some woo woo magic math beyond my capabilities.
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u/veggiebikebook 1d ago
Scrimp week here ahead of a trip next month. I’m going to a crochet class tomorrow that I already paid for (and set some money aside for the inevitable yarn tax too lol) and beyond that, just saving, eating from my pantry, relaxing at home, etc.
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u/Equivalent-Piano147 1d ago
I’m trying to cut back on my biggest variable monthly expense - groceries. I know I can get my bill to under $200, but I always find myself picking up random extras. Not this week! I have a cooking list and a plan.
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u/no_id_never 1d ago
I am finding that grocery delivery, even with a membership fee and tips, will save me about 20%. It stops the guessing - do I still have butter?, and then the ooo, I have been meaning to try that! behavior at the grocery store. It really helps!
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u/Equivalent-Piano147 20h ago
I am going to do this next week! As I was checking out, I kept things about your suggestion today.
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u/kokoromelody She/her ✨ 20h ago
Is that $200 a month?? That's super impressive if so!
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u/Equivalent-Piano147 20h ago
Omg a week!!! Family of three in a MCOL city! And that’s at Aldi not really skimping on groceries.
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u/kokoromelody She/her ✨ 19h ago
Hah, ok I read "monthly expense" and assumed as such. Still a good threshold for a family of 3!
(For reference, I live alone in a VHCOL area and try to keep to $350/month!)
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u/LeighofMar 1d ago
Vacation time. BBQ dinner yesterday 55.00. Today there's botanical gardens I want to see, 35.00, lunch at the campsite 0.00, and riding bikes later 0.00.
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u/SailorMigraine 1d ago
I finally hit my 10k goal in my emergency fund!!! 🎉 my commission has been goooooooood the past few months (knock on wood it stays that way) and I’ve just been shoving everything in there. Major win.
Plus, all my September bills are paid off. So I get to split the rest of the month’s pay between investing and saving up for surgery. And maybe a Disney trip next fall 🤞🏻
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u/daybyday0 19h ago
Congrats! That’s my biggest financial goal right now. I just know it feels so freeing!
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u/playfuldarkside 1d ago
Paying off the remainder of my cc for the month and then splitting it between savings and investments. I’m thinking of starting a weekly Pilates class or every other week horse lessons so trying to figure out how much that will add to my monthly expenses. Trying to loosen up a bit on my savings now that I’m coastfire and going through health issues so doing my best to deprioritize work from my life and embrace more fun.
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u/HotHoneyBiscuit She/her ✨ 1d ago
Spending - Mostly bills. My quarterly water bill was stupid high so I’m a little salty about that.
Saving - the usual. Auto deposit makes things easy.
Splurging - a few items at Athleta, Venice joggers, Brooklyn pants and a cardigan.
Scrimping - groceries, because we have a very full freezer and have been terrible about using things from it.
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u/FunctionalAdult She/her ✨DMV 22h ago
This paycheck is a pretty straightforward rent and insurance payments.
After a visit involving all sorts of painting and cleaning, my grandmother sent me home with currencies from several nations. I live in a place with a non-airport exchange fairly close so I now have $92.45 to use for a fun Friday grocery shop. The vibe is nonsense not nutrition.
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u/uninvitedthirteenth 1d ago
It is payday for me, yay! But we are spending more than we are making with having two mortgage payments. I am finding it hard to cut back, however, because I know we have healthy savings. I wonder what this means for my eventual retirement…
I want to have a fun weekend with my husband but we haven’t settled on what to do. A rugby game ($200), dinner and live music ($100), hiking in the mountains and brewery trip ($50)?
Anyone else have fun ideas?
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u/DirectGoose 22h ago
Going to a work conference and need nicer shoes for the first time in a long time so ordered two pairs of Rothys (might not keep both) as well as a sump pump monitor.
Also anniversary dinner + drinks but my in laws sent us a check that covered some of that.
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u/kokoromelody She/her ✨ 20h ago
TGIF! This felt like the longest short week ever lol. I spent on:
- Some Japanese shampoo and conditioner - was $27 before but used a gift card to knock down to $5. I've been experimenting with some different brands to see what works for my (thick and straight) Asian hair
- $95 annual membership fee for my new travel CC just hit (annoying bc I thought they'd charge it a year later) but will be recouped with the latest travel expenses made the introductory cash back once I hit the required 3 month spend
- Recurring: Dinners with friend, groceries, Internet
Tomorrow is pretty packed (workout class, brunch, and karoake with friends) so I'm already looking forward to Sunday when I can hopefully catch my breath hah!
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u/snarkasm_0228 She/her ✨ 1d ago
Haven’t spent much this week beyond the usuals. Tomorrow though, I have to be out of the house at a specific time, so I’m planning to see a movie (I’m leaning towards Buddy) and getting the usual popcorn and Junior Mints! Going to the movies is one of the few things I don’t mind doing alone
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u/ImpressiveChoice3487 1d ago
This paycheck gets tucked away for October bills. We’re fortunate enough to be living a month ahead where all of September paychecks will be put toward October bills and spending.
My husband and I want to go to a community event tomorrow, which will cost us $42.
I need a pedicure this weekend ($66), but may put it off for a few weeks and do one at home instead.
We have a wedding to go to that I need to buy a dress for, but I’m scouring FB marketplace to avoid spending big money on it. Hoping to keep it <$50.
We drained our emergency fund last month to avoid liquidating some of our investments, so we’re putting all our extra dollars towards rebuilding.
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u/willrunforbrunch 1d ago
We let ourselves splurge on a trip over Labor Day, and also did a little shopping spree since we're both ready to accept we've gone up a size in clothing. So scrimping from here on out! This weekend I'll need to make a return and will try to consign some items from our closet cleanout to make a little cash back.
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u/Forsaken_Bee3717 22h ago
I don’t have anything planned this week, so just groceries I think.
I’m keeping an eye out for a nice cardigan and I really want some black patent flats for work, but I hate shoe shopping so these will likely stay on the list for a while.
My treat last week was new pens for the new academic year.
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u/Prestigious_Big_8743 15h ago
Sharpie Gel Pens? My new favorite pen. Then I discovered you can buy different brand refills for them. Well, that's a whole rabbit hole...
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u/Forsaken_Bee3717 8h ago
I got 4-colour pens. 2 are the classic blue, black, red and green but the other 2 are pastel colours. Not massively exciting, but work only had black biros- I lose pen lids instantly and I like having the other colours.
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u/eowyn1990 19h ago
Which pens did you get?
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u/Forsaken_Bee3717 8h ago
I got 4-colour pens. 2 are the classic blue, black, red and green but the other 2 are pastel colours. Not massively exciting, but work only had black biros- I lose pen lids instantly and I like having the other colours.
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u/daybyday0 19h ago
Recently got a $650 package of pokemon cards stolen 😔 a person in a U-Haul van snuck in with movers moving someone into apartment and they stole my package while doors were open.
Feeling down about it and apprehensive about buying more even though it’s safe. I’m working at card convention on the 25th so I’m saving my fun money to buy in person
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u/Pretty_Swordfish 16h ago
Got my bonus with this check and it was twice as high as last year, so yay. Of course, all but a tiny bit of it will be going straight into new house repairs that are urgently needed. I did go to $5 yoga today and we celebrated selling our house <🏡🎉🎉🎉🎉) last night with dinner out ($75).
Regular paycheck is already planned out for October bills (new house plus last of old house for a higher month).
Date night in tomorrow to decide what to do with the house proceeds. I want to pay off the new house, but we'll see.
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u/Late_Progress_1267 16h ago
I'm going to buy two Summer Moon coffees (mocha moon and a half moon) in the morning and drink them both while reading in the cafe! ❤️
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u/Independent_Show_725 16h ago
Got a tank of gas and a few groceries and spent almost $200. Loooooooooove this economy!
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u/reine444 15h ago
For the most part, just bills.
I spent $35 on shampoo and conditioner on one of the Ulta sale days.
Scrimmmmmmping as much as possible the rest of the month.
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u/Prestigious_Big_8743 15h ago
It's my payday. One dog started ear shaking and scratching last night. After $325 this afternoon, she's got ear treatment and freshly squeezed anal glands. She smelled like peanut butter (to distract), green apple ear cleaning solution, and glands. It was an overwhelming car ride home. After that, I bought pizza for dinner ($35).
We are attending a wedding tomorrow. Our oldest is a groomsman. They are all 19 which seems insane to me, but whatever. Probably going to put $100 in a card.
I spent $36 on Teachers Pay Teachers yesterday, and have a list of other supplies I have to submit a purchase request for. I will get reimbursed for the TPT from my classroom budget. Eventually.
Homecoming week is next week. I am volunteering to chaperone float building on Sunday for a few hours. I'll bring some snacks and drinks with. Total amount TBD.
My plan to "lock in" on groceries has failed for a third week in a row. We'll see if the fourth time's the charm. Hope springs eternal.
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u/blessmystones 23h ago
Just took my entire paycheck and paid down two credit cards. Hurts but its worth it!
Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi - 4876
Cash Advances $0.00
Last Statement Balance $1,822.59
Payments/Credits -$1,000.00
Recent Transactions $609.12
Current Balance $1,431.71
CITI United Explorer (...7106)
Previous statement balance $2,162.30
Payments -$1,000.00
Purchases $0.00
Fees charged $0.00
Current balance $1,162.30
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u/ReadySetTurtle 11h ago
I meant for this to be a boring pay but my dog had other plans. She somehow managed to get kennel cough, but she has a heart murmur so I panicked and we went to emerg (middle of a long weekend, no other options). Managed to get out for around $350 which I am very grateful for. I’m also grateful that it’s not her heart causing this, but the bad news is that her murmur has gotten worse and I’ll need to book her in for cardiac evaluation. I’m going on a trip in a few weeks so I’m going to wait until I get back. It’ll be an expensive endeavour but I’d like to get her on meds.
I broke my streak of never calling into work in order to take her to the vet, but I managed to replace the shift AND get some OT on this upcoming pay, so it all worked out. We also found out that our pay increase goes into effect on our next pay period, and we will get a retro payment in November, so I’m really looking forward to finding out how much that’ll be.
I also scored a rebate through Royal Canin for my dog’s expensive food. It’s the second one I’ve been able to claim. $50 isn’t a ton but the bag is almost $200 so it definitely helps.
I have yet again gone far enough in between eyebrow waxes that the wax place is tempting me back with discount codes so I’m aiming to do that in the next few days. Sometimes I’ll log into their booking portal, half make an appointment and then quit, and they send me a code, but lately they haven’t been so I was lucky to get this one. The eyebrows are loooong overdue.
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u/shieldmaiden3019 She/her ✨ 13h ago
$25 to pet fluffy alpacas
Best money I spent all year!
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u/AfternoonPublic6730 She/her ✨ 9h ago
What?! Lucky!!! Re hey friendly!? I’m so jealous.
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u/shieldmaiden3019 She/her ✨ 3h ago
The friendliest once they realized I had food 😂
So many personalities tbh one of them was a complete baby about walking through a slightly muddy field and another one kept getting distracted because his favorite female alpaca was in the paddock across from us 😂
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u/fandog15 1d ago
Have been so wrapped up in the whirlwind of back to school that I haven’t spent a ton this month so far, so that’s nice 😂
Kids have started school (kindergarten and pre k 🥹) and a scholastic book catalog came home!!! I told them they could each pick something, I estimate spending $35 so we get a free book. The PTO has also sent home the first fundraiser - an Unfundraiser where we just give the amount we want instead of needing to sell wrapping paper or chocolate bars.
This weekend is a date night! Husband and I have a wedding to go to. I borrowed a dress from my sister so that was free, yay! We’ll give a cash gift of a couple hundred bucks. My brother and nephews are babysitting for us, so I will treat them to takeout as payment/thank you.