Kendra Thompson, 26, communications specialist, Toronto (Photo: Jenna Marie Wakani)
Annual income $50,000+
The usual My rent is $940. My other major expense is my student loan—$360 a month. I’m hoping to have it paid off in 10 years.
Splurge I like to cook, and it’s fun to go overboard at Whole Foods once in a while. I also have an addiction to coconut water. It’s so expensive, but I love it. I have four or five $3 cans a week.
Spending style I try to buy things that will last, but I’m not at a place where I can spend $1,000 on something. Thrift shopping gives me a huge thrill; picking through things for hours is very therapeutic. I recently spent about $200 redecorating my bathroom and saved money by painting the walls and tiles myself. I also made cushions for my couch using some vintage fabric. Even though I rent, it’s important to have a space I love coming home to.
Fashion faves I purchased a pair of Cole Haan woven oxfords ($100) last fall, and I hope to buy another Cambie blanket, which combines my love for fashion and decorating—it doubles as a gigantic scarf [see both in above photo]. Another favourite piece: a white floral-patterned Acne sweater ($250) in a kind of fleecy material.
Souvenir shopping Last year, I spent about $3,000 on a trip to Copenhagen, Prague, Berlin and Vienna. I hit the thrift shops in Berlin and went to the Acne outlet store in Copenhagen, where I got a cool denim button-up for $150.
Dating diary I spend anywhere from $15 to $40 on drinks or dinner. I don’t expect a guy to pay for everything.
Related:
15 Ways to Wear Denim to Work