What we spend: How a childless couple on $200k spend their money

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 jumping into the finances of Sydney couple Joe and Molly*.

Joe: A 30-year-old head chef earning $110,000

Molly: A 32-year-old health professional earning $99,000

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What are your weekly bills/expenses? Any savings?

Joe

Rent: $310
Groceries: $110
Dog food/care/insurance: $30
Phone and internet: $18
Gym membership: $22
Health insurance: $19
Utilities: $36 [paid quarterly]
Savings: $500(ish)

Total weekly expenses for Joe: $1045

Molly

Rent: $310
Groceries: $40
Dog food/care/insurance: $30
Phone and internet: $25
Pilates membership: $49
Health insurance: $23
Streaming services: $19
Utilities: $36 [paid quarterly]
Credit card bill: $100
Savings: $400

Total weekly expenses for Molly: $1032

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

We're kind of in that weird early-30s phase where we're trying to save more and spend less, but also still go out and have fun and live our lives.

We do save a good amount every week, and try to keep our expenses low where possible. As Joe is a chef, he tends to spend a lot on groceries as he loves a good-quality ingredient.

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Monday

Joe: It's my day off, so I just spent the whole day at home resting. We cooked dinner with groceries that we already had in the fridge.

Molly: I bought a $5.50 coffee on the way to work, and spent $7 on my Opal card for the return journey.

Tuesday

Joe: I head into work around midday, and don't usually finish until just before midnight. I didn't spend anything on food or coffee, but got an Uber home for $22.

Molly: $7 to get into work, $12 on a sandwich for lunch, and then I picked up some Thai for dinner on the way home for $16.

Wednesday

Joe: I got a coffee on my way into work, $4. I finished up around 7pm so had two beers at the pub near work for $12, then got the train home, $4.20.

Molly: Another $7 for the bus to work, but I saved by bringing my lunch from home. For dinner, I went out with some friends, which was $45 each.

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Thursday

Joe: I spent nothing today, as I had a 12-hour shift, but then got an Uber home for $18.50.

Molly: I spent $7 on the bus, but that's it for today.

Friday

Joe: I did the day shift today, so I clocked off work around 7pm. Met Molly and some friends for drinks, and spent about $95 at the bar. We got takeaway on the way home, which I paid for, $44.

Molly: Again, bus fare to work, which was $3.50. Then at the bar I spent $45, and got an Uber home for me and Joe, for $18.

Saturday

Joe: We had a big function at work so I had to go in and work, and didn't end up finishing until after 9pm. Then I just got an Uber home for $35.

Molly: I went out for brunch with my friends, which cost me $31. Then we went to the markets, where I picked up some Christmas gifts for my family, and spent $75 in total. At night, my friend came over for dinner - we cooked but I spent $22 on a bottle of wine.

Sunday

Joe: Molly and I went out for a nice lunch - Sunday is our only day off together so we take turns taking each other out. I got the tab this time, which was $145. But then we just went home and cooked dinner.

Molly: I went for a coffee with my mum this morning, and bought both for $12. That's all I spent!

Total weekly spend for Joe: $379.70

Total weekly spend for Molly: $313

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Final thoughts

Joe: I spend so much money on Ubers, it's so annoying. But there's no other way to get home after a late-night shift. I don't really keep track of my spending and saving - I get paid weekly so whatever's left over at the end of the pay cycle, I just add it to my savings account.

Molly: I've been pretty strict about saving my whole life. I did spend a bit more than normal this week, but that's mostly because of the Christmas presents I bought. Joe and I hardly ever get to spend time together, so when we both have a day off we usually spend quite a bit on doing special things to make it worth it.

I'm not sure what we're specifically saving for. We're thinking about having kids, but can't really figure out how that's going to work, unless one of us really reduces our work hours - but then, how will we be able to afford the kid?

*Names have been changed.

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