A Week in the Life: My Money Diary as a Mom and Designer

Introduction

Money diaries offer a real, raw look at how different people manage their finances in daily life. In this post, I’m sharing a week in my life as a mom and designer—balancing family expenses, work income, and everything in between. This money diary reflects my priorities, challenges, and habits when it comes to spending and saving.

Day 1 – Monday: Setting the Week’s Tone

The week starts with a quiet morning. My husband and I review our weekly expenses over coffee and make sure our shared budget is on track. I make breakfast for my toddler before heading to work.

• Breakfast (Home): $0 (already planned groceries)

• Groceries: $75 for the week (picked up on Sunday)

At work, I’m deep into a design project for a new client. My lunch is from home, which helps keep expenses down during the workweek. After work, I take my daughter for a walk in the park, which is our go-to, no-cost activity.

• Lunch (Home): $0

• Dinner (Home): $0 (we make a stir-fry with ingredients from the fridge)

Total for the Day: $0 (excluding groceries)

Day 2 – Tuesday: Small Splurges

I’m back at work, and today is a little more hectic. My colleagues suggest grabbing lunch at a nearby café. I usually bring my lunch, but I decide to join them for a change. The lunch outing is a reminder of how small indulgences can add up quickly!

• Lunch (Café): $15

• Afternoon Coffee: $4.50

In the evening, I’m working on a freelance design project that will bring in some extra income, which helps balance out the occasional splurges. I aim to keep side gigs in the mix to cover discretionary spending.

• Dinner (Home): $0 (leftovers)

Total for the Day: $19.50

Day 3 – Wednesday: Family Expenses

Today, I work from home, which saves on commuting costs. However, I spend some money on my daughter. We order new educational toys for her development, something I prioritize as part of our family’s budget.

• New Toys: $45

Later, I squeeze in some work for my design agency and prepare materials for an upcoming client pitch.

• Lunch (Home): $0

• Dinner (Home): $0 (we make homemade pizza)

Total for the Day: $45

Day 4 – Thursday: Budget-Friendly Fun

Today, my toddler and I head to a local playgroup. It’s a free community activity, which is a great way to socialize without breaking the bank. My husband and I also decide to have a low-cost date night at home—after our daughter goes to bed, we stream a movie and order takeout.

• Lunch (Home): $0

• Playgroup: Free

• Takeout Dinner: $28

Total for the Day: $28

Day 5 – Friday: End of the Week Wind-Down

I wrap up my workweek with back-to-back meetings. No major expenses today, except for a celebratory coffee after landing a new client for my design agency. For dinner, we stick to something easy—pasta at home.

• Lunch (Home): $0

• Coffee (Local Café): $5

• Dinner (Home): $0

Total for the Day: $5

Day 6 – Saturday: Weekend Errands

Saturdays are usually filled with errands. I fill up the car with gas, stop by the grocery store, and pick up a few things for the house.

• Gas: $40

• Groceries: $85 (second grocery run for fresh produce and snacks)

• Household Items: $20

In the evening, we visit my in-laws for dinner, which saves us from cooking!

• Dinner: Free (family meal)

Total for the Day: $145

Day 7 – Sunday: Family Day

Sundays are for family time. We take a trip to the zoo, which is a special treat for our daughter. The entry fee is manageable, and we pack snacks to avoid buying expensive food inside.

• Zoo Tickets: $30

• Snacks (Home): $0

• Dinner (Home): $0

Total for the Day: $30

Weekly Reflection

At the end of the week, my total spending is $272.50. While most of my expenses were related to family and household needs, I allowed myself a few small indulgences, like coffee and lunch out. Having a flexible budget, along with side gig income, helps me balance financial priorities while still enjoying life.