A Week In Washington, D.C. On A $116,000 Salary
Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.This week: A graphic designer working in government who makes $116,000 per year and spends some of it on a shimmery dress. This Money Diary was written at the start of 2026. This is a follow-up diary, you can read the previous one here. If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via our online form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email. Please note: We are legally unable to publish any diaries that have been written with the use of AI. Occupation: Graphic designerIndustry: GovernmentAge: 31Location: Washington, D.C.Salary: $116,000Joint Income/Financial Setup: n/aAssets: Thrift Savings Plan: $156,000Roth IRA: $78,000Brokerage accounts: $19,000Savings account: $12,000Debt: $0Paycheck Amount (1x month): ~$5,200 (after TSP)Pronouns: She/herMonthly ExpensesHousing Costs: $2,300Loan Payments: $0Investments: ~$500Rental insurance: $8Utilities: ~$150 (gas/electric)Phone & Internet: $125Subscriptions: $9.52 (Netflix & Apple Storage)Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?Yes. As I touched on in my last Money Diary, as a first-gen Asian American born of refugees, the pressure to succeed academically and go to college was high. I chose a public state university because it was the only feasible option, financially. Besides IB credits and some financial aid during my first year, I had to take out private loans for the bulk of it. I eventually had $10,000 in federal loans paid off by my employer, and refinanced and saved to aggressively pay down the remaining $60,000 in private loans.Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s) educate you about finances?The only conversations we had about money revolved around how to get my family out of enormous debt. My parents were ambitious entrepreneurs, but lifestyle creep meant the money went out faster than it came in. Things went from designer clothes and luxury trips to foreclosure and avoiding debt collectors real quick. Mixing family with business only added fuel to the fire, leading to a lot of burned bridges and a nasty divorce when I was in high school. As soon as I became independent, I made it my mission to unlearn those habits and take ownership of my finances and my life.What was your first job and why did you get it?My first job, outside of working for the family business pro bono, due to the “roof over your head/food to eat” rule, was a temp job at a big magazine during summers in college. It was an effort to break free from filial obligations and build something for myself and my résumé. I ended up freelancing for the magazine for many years after.Did you worry about money growing up?Constantly. I grew up faster than any kid should because my family relied on me as their translator, mediator, and everything-doer. From adolescence, I was dealing with the IRS and debt collectors on their behalf. My parents blamed it on not being fluent in English, but they were certainly more capable than a 12-year-old. Despite having two older brothers, the burden of managing the family’s chaos fell on me (is there such a thing as youngest daughter syndrome?).Do you worry about money now?I do. Even though I’ve made massive strides and feel empowered, I still carry lingering guilt when spending money. I’m still super frugal by default, even when I don’t need to be. It’s hard to shake the feeling that the floor could fall out at any moment. Old habits (and financial traumas) die hard…At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?At 22, I moved out on my own and became completely financially independent. I don’t feel that I have a secure financial safety net, but I think now my mom could help get me out of a bind if needed, as she’s in a better place since she remarried. I usually keep a healthy emergency fund, but I dipped into it recently for some investments and to max out my Roth IRA for the year.Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain.Again, I wish! DashDividers_1_500x100 Day One: Friday 7:30 a.m. — I’ve been waking up around this time every day… probably because that’s when I start hearing my cat, C., move around the apartment. C. is a stray I took in a little over a year ago and my first pet ever, and I’m obsessed with her. 8:30 a.m. — After looking at my phone in bed a little more, I get dressed, brush my teeth, feed C., and make some iced coffee. I knock out some menial tasks I’ve been meaning to do: make a doctor’s appointment, call banks — you know, adult things. 9:45 a.m. — Oh, C. I love you, but did you have to jump on my desk during
Black News 
Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
This week: A graphic designer working in government who makes $116,000 per year and spends some of it on a shimmery dress.
This Money Diary was written at the start of 2026. This is a follow-up diary, you can read the previous one here.
If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via our online form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email. Please note: We are legally unable to publish any diaries that have been written with the use of AI.
Occupation: Graphic designer
Industry: Government
Age: 31
Location: Washington, D.C.
Salary: $116,000
Joint Income/Financial Setup: n/a
Assets:
Thrift Savings Plan: $156,000
Roth IRA: $78,000
Brokerage accounts: $19,000
Savings account: $12,000
Debt: $0
Paycheck Amount (1x month): ~$5,200 (after TSP)
Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing Costs: $2,300
Loan Payments: $0
Investments: ~$500
Rental insurance: $8
Utilities: ~$150 (gas/electric)
Phone & Internet: $125
Subscriptions: $9.52 (Netflix & Apple Storage)
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Yes. As I touched on in my last Money Diary, as a first-gen Asian American born of refugees, the pressure to succeed academically and go to college was high. I chose a public state university because it was the only feasible option, financially. Besides IB credits and some financial aid during my first year, I had to take out private loans for the bulk of it. I eventually had $10,000 in federal loans paid off by my employer, and refinanced and saved to aggressively pay down the remaining $60,000 in private loans.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s) educate you about finances?
The only conversations we had about money revolved around how to get my family out of enormous debt. My parents were ambitious entrepreneurs, but lifestyle creep meant the money went out faster than it came in. Things went from designer clothes and luxury trips to foreclosure and avoiding debt collectors real quick. Mixing family with business only added fuel to the fire, leading to a lot of burned bridges and a nasty divorce when I was in high school. As soon as I became independent, I made it my mission to unlearn those habits and take ownership of my finances and my life.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
My first job, outside of working for the family business pro bono, due to the “roof over your head/food to eat” rule, was a temp job at a big magazine during summers in college. It was an effort to break free from filial obligations and build something for myself and my résumé. I ended up freelancing for the magazine for many years after.
Did you worry about money growing up?
Constantly. I grew up faster than any kid should because my family relied on me as their translator, mediator, and everything-doer. From adolescence, I was dealing with the IRS and debt collectors on their behalf. My parents blamed it on not being fluent in English, but they were certainly more capable than a 12-year-old. Despite having two older brothers, the burden of managing the family’s chaos fell on me (is there such a thing as youngest daughter syndrome?).
Do you worry about money now?
I do. Even though I’ve made massive strides and feel empowered, I still carry lingering guilt when spending money. I’m still super frugal by default, even when I don’t need to be. It’s hard to shake the feeling that the floor could fall out at any moment. Old habits (and financial traumas) die hard…
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?
At 22, I moved out on my own and became completely financially independent. I don’t feel that I have a secure financial safety net, but I think now my mom could help get me out of a bind if needed, as she’s in a better place since she remarried. I usually keep a healthy emergency fund, but I dipped into it recently for some investments and to max out my Roth IRA for the year.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain.
Again, I wish!
Day One: Friday
7:30 a.m. — I’ve been waking up around this time every day… probably because that’s when I start hearing my cat, C., move around the apartment. C. is a stray I took in a little over a year ago and my first pet ever, and I’m obsessed with her.
8:30 a.m. — After looking at my phone in bed a little more, I get dressed, brush my teeth, feed C., and make some iced coffee. I knock out some menial tasks I’ve been meaning to do: make a doctor’s appointment, call banks — you know, adult things.
9:45 a.m. — Oh, C. I love you, but did you have to jump on my desk during my Zoom meeting, knocking over my tall glass of coffee?! I try to do some damage control while my boss and colleagues laugh. Luckily, it’s just a casual check-in, but I’m definitely awake now. Bye-bye, coffee.
10:00 a.m. — Finally cleaned up, I get my Roborock going (best Black Friday purchase ever). Suddenly, I’m inspired to keep cleaning, so I seize that energy because it comes oh-so-rarely. I guess C. did me a favor?
10:30 a.m. — For breakfast, I heat some leftover chicken congee I made earlier this week. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but I always crave warm soup in the morning. I top it with ginger, scallions, cilantro, half a boiled egg, fried shallots, and a splash of soy sauce. Perfect slop bowl. I spend the rest of the morning coordinating with clients, designing web assets, and planning some projects.
1:30 p.m. — Lunchtime! I heat some leftover ground turkey goodles I made the other night. Very cheesy, very comforting. I respond to my friend, G., who moved away last year, about “happy hour” later, which is basically just drinking while yapping on the phone.
4:30 p.m. — The rest of the workday is uneventful, as Friday afternoons usually are. I’m able to wrap up early, so I get ready to walk to Trader Joe’s to grab some drinks for “happy hour.”
5:00 p.m. — On the way, I pop into my go-to consignment store. I don’t shop often, but when I do, I really only buy secondhand. My friends are getting married this summer, and their wedding theme is “disco,” which I’m struggling with (my wardrobe is basically monochromatic). After trying on several things, I settle on a shimmery Madewell dress as well as a J. Crew skirt for work. $39.22
5:30 p.m. — I make it to TJ’s! I grab more than I need because I’m hungry. (Never shop hungry, y’all.) In addition to the hard ciders I came for, I grab an onion, shallot, jalapeño, cucumbers, a block of feta, a block of parmesan, tzatziki, roasted seaweed, chile lime pork rinds, rice crackers, canned calamari and oysters, farro, a soft drink, and a bottle of grape soju. I call G. to keep me company on the mile walk home. $63.16
6:00 p.m. — When I get home, I unload, feed C., and continue to catch up with G. while fixing a quick dinner of leftover bibimbap I made earlier this week (rotisserie chicken, veggie banchan, kimchi, multigrain rice, gochujang sauce, and the seaweed I just got).
9:00 p.m. — G. and I yap for three (!) hours. Time always flies whether it’s on the phone or in person. I miss living down the street from each other. She and I both went through long-term relationship breakups last year, so we’ve been bonding over that. I make tentative plans to visit her in her hometown this spring. After doomscrolling a bit, I get ready for bed.
Daily Total: $102.38
Day Two: Saturday
8:00 a.m. — I wake up to C. not-so-subtly telling me to get up and give her attention (I don’t let her sleep in my bedroom at night… because she doesn’t sleep at night. Mama needs her sleep!) Seems I can’t catch a break even on the weekend.
8:30 a.m. — I try to squeeze in more shuteye, but C. starts whining, so I get up to let her in the bedroom, and then feed her after many nuzzles. Breakfast time for the hooman is the rest of the chicken congee, which is always a great remedy after drinking.
10:00 a.m. — After eating and catching up on my favorite food vlogger videos, I tidy up and play with C. She’s almost two years old but still has so much energy! After some wand toy action (get yer mind out of the gutter), I clear the floors of her many toys and get the Roborock going.
12:00 p.m. — I spend some time couch-rotting (C.’s napping beside me), snacking on Trader Joe’s chile lime pork rinds (obsessed), and playing my daily NYT games. I’ve also been enjoying their new Crossplay app, which G. introduced me to on our call last night.
2:30 p.m. — It’s an uncharacteristically warm day after the deep freeze, so I decide to visit my mom across the river in Virginia. I shower, get ready, top up C.’s bowl for dinner, and head to the metro (fare covered by employer).
4:00 p.m. — Oof, metro construction woes and detours abound, but I finally make it and head to my mom’s café for coffee. We catch up for a bit, and she suggests we go out to dinner.
5:30 p.m. — We head over to a Japanese restaurant and invite my brother to come join us. While waiting for him, I try that viral matcha beer at the bar. It’s pretty good, though you can’t really taste the matcha. My mom and I reminisce about our trip to Japan a couple of months ago. $17
7:30 p.m. — The three of us have dinner and catch up on life. I’ve had a pretty tough relationship with my family over the years, but as I get older, I’ve been trying to bridge the gap. Let’s just say, I know which topics to avoid to preserve my peace. Despite our differences, I’m still grateful to have family and friends I can lean on in times of need. Dinner goes by without a hitch, and my mom offers to pay.
9:30 p.m. — Hearing about my metro woes, my mom also offers to drive me home (bless). After loading my brother and me up with food for days, I get home and am greeted by C., who’s now awake and has the zoomies (of course). We play some, I watch TV, and get ready for bed.
Daily Total: $17
Day Three: Sunday
8:30 a.m. — Good morning! You know, C., I’m not even mad about not being able to sleep in anymore because it makes my weekends feel that much longer.
9:30 a.m. — Breakfast time: I have leftover bibimbap ingredients, but don’t feel like another rice bowl. I quickly cook up a rolled omelette and make some mini (mayak) kimbap rolls. It’s the first of the month, so I pay rent, move some money around, and update my budget spreadsheet.
12:00 p.m. — I spend the rest of the morning in front of the TV while playing games on my phone. My friend group chat starts popping off about a surprise birthday party for our friend J. next weekend, so I keep up with that while fixing a bánh mì for lunch (thanks, mom!).
2:30 p.m. — Feeling listless (still getting used to being alone three months post-breakup), I get the walking pad out and decide to get some steps in.
4:00 p.m. — Five miles later, and I feel good! After chugging a lot of water, I cool down, and my appetite is back. I heat some leftover ground turkey goodles and scarf it down.
5:30 p.m. — Showered and refreshed, I decide to try these new THC gummies I got. I eat half of one because I’m a lightweight, and it’s pretty subtle and chill. I thoroughly enjoy some Trader Joe’s chile lime pork rinds.
7:30 p.m. — I randomly get curious and download the dating apps. Then I immediately remember why I hate them and delete them (repeat, ad nauseam).
9:30 p.m. — The edible wears off, and I’m getting sleepy, so I start getting ready for bed. I play with C. a bit and fix a cup of herbal tea. Good night!
Daily Total: $0
Day Four: Monday
8:00 a.m. — Today it’s not C. that wakes me up but the sound of the garbage truck. Brush teeth, feed C., make coffee. While the coffee’s dripping, I play with C. (her latest hyperfixation is chasing ice cubes) and solve my daily puzzle games.
9:30 a.m. — I’m caught up on emails and ready for another remote work day. I hop on a Zoom call, and then scope out my week and design some promo graphics. We have a big event this week, so it’s been a bit of a scramble to get everything together in time. I heat some phở my mom gave me and have it for breakfast while I work.
1:30 p.m. — Lunchtime! I finish up the leftover turkey goodles and then start meal prepping for the week. I’m only on-site twice a week, so I just need to pack two lunches, but I like to plan out all my meals for the week. I enjoy cooking, so don’t mind making most, if not all, of my meals — it’s both therapeutic and money-saving!
2:30 p.m. — I’ve finished my mise en place and got some barbacoa braising in the Instant Pot. I’ll have tacos for dinner today and do a burrito bowl with rice for lunch tomorrow. I also whip together a Mediterranean marinade for some chicken breasts.
3:30 p.m. — I take a work break to check on the barbacoa. It’s bomb. Very excited for dinner! It’s the little things.
6:00 p.m. — The rest of the workday is uneventful. I’m waiting on clients to approve things, so things are in limbo. I sign off for the day and break out the walking pad.
7:00 p.m. — Only two-and-a-half miles today but better than nothing/venturing into the snow! Dinnertime for C. and me: I fix myself two barbacoa tacos on mini flour tortillas and top them with pico de gallo, guac, and cilantro lime jalapeño crema.
10:30 p.m. — After tidying up the kitchen and some Bridgerton, I take a shower and get things in order for work tomorrow. Good night!
Daily Total: $0
Day Five: Tuesday
7:30 a.m. — My office days start a bit earlier because I have to put real clothes on to venture out into the world. I feed C., get a Nespresso shot going, and start my skincare and makeup routine. I’ve been loving all the products I brought back from my Japan trip.
8:30 a.m. — Lunch is packed, I get dressed at the last minute to avoid being covered in cat hair, and then head off to the metro.
9:00 a.m. — At the office, I greet my coworkers, water my plants, and get ready for the workday. We have a morning meeting, and then it’s crunch time for the event tomorrow.
11:00 a.m. — I finish designing the remaining deliverables and begin production: printing posters and booklets, coordinating delivery, etc.
1:00 p.m. — My coworker M. wants to have lunch together. I fix a drink with a Celsius powder packet (I keep them at my desk) and bring along my burrito bowl, and we catch up.
4:30 p.m. — After wrapping a client meeting about another event later this month, I start packing up for the day and head to the metro.
5:00 p.m. — I log on at home to see if I missed anything, but all’s quiet at this time. I heat the rest of the phở for dinner, which is perfect on this cold evening.
9:30 p.m. — After some food shows (I’m always on the hunt for recipe inspiration!) and playing with C., it’s time for bed.
Daily Total: $0
Day Six: Wednesday
9:00 a.m. — Good morning! It’s another remote work day. Luckily, all the event tasks were squared away yesterday, so things should be smooth sailing without me now. I meander to the kitchen to make coffee and feed C.
11:00 a.m. — I fix a quick breakfast of avocado toast and attend an online seminar and complete some training.
1:00 p.m. — I get a load of laundry going while I think about lunch. I decide on quesadillas, which are a breeze to make with leftovers.
2:30 p.m. — I hop on for a weekly team meeting. We have lots on the docket this month between short-term and long-term projects, but I like to stay busy (don’t leave me alone with my thoughts, please).
5:00 p.m. — I sign off for the day, go to put my laundry away, and then do three miles on the walking pad. I can’t wait until the weather warms up and I can actually enjoy walking outside again!
6:30 p.m. — For dinner, I roast the marinated chicken in the oven and serve it over rice with cucumber and tomato salad, tzatziki, feta, and tahini sauce. It turned out really well! I pack a portion for lunch tomorrow.
9:30 p.m. — Finished Bridgerton! I have mixed feelings about the season (Season Two remains my fave), but I still loved the representation and Cinderella theme. Doomscroll and bedtime!
Daily Total: $0
Day Seven: Thursday
7:30 a.m. — Happy almost Friday! Today I’m in the office, so I get up and get ready. It’s actually kind of warm, so I decide to forgo tights. Hallelujah!
9:00 a.m. — Metro to work, say hi to coworkers, debrief about TV shows (very important). I attend a morning meeting and then get started on designing some event branding specs.
12:00 p.m. — There’s a lunchtime event nearby with adoptable pets, so, of course, I go to the pets. I would love a cat friend for C., but I know I’m not ready for that yet as a new, single cat mom. One day! The animals are very cute and mood-boosting!
2:00 p.m. — I attend a meeting to plan and design our monthly newsletter and write a report for the week.
4:00 p.m. — I pack up for the day and head to the metro. On my way home, I hop off to go to a local bookstore to pick up a cookbook for J.’s birthday on Saturday. Like me, he and his wife are food enthusiasts, so I think it’ll go to good use! $42.40
5:00 p.m. — I pop over to Trader Joe’s to pick up some things for home and for the party: eggs, veggies, bread, cheese, charcuterie, wine, birthday card, etc. $39.15
6:00 p.m. — At home, I unload groceries. Feeling kind of lazy today, so I indulge in some ramyun for dinner. With some soju — it hits the spot!
8:00 p.m. — I start looking into some local cat sitters and flights to visit G. soon. I go down a rabbit hole of potential trips to take this year. I went on my first solo trip to Spain two years ago and have been itching to go on another, but I’m afraid I’ll worry about leaving C. too much, so I close my laptop for now and say I’ll think about it another day.
Daily Total: $81.55
The Breakdown
Conclusion
It was wild to see how much life can shift in just two years. Since my last Money Diary, I’d gone from a seven-year relationship (last two being long distance) to being single for the first time in a long time. This is a snapshot of my life just three months into the breakup of my first relationship. I’m now focused on pouring my love into other channels: my friends, my family, and my cat. (Yes, I also see that I’ve thoroughly become a cat lady, which was not on my 30s bingo card.) But overall, I think I did well this week. I try to do at least three no-spend days a week, so that was a success. I don’t usually shop for clothes or buy gifts, so it was interesting to see both fall in the same week. For now, I think I’m doing okay without changing anything.
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A Week In Los Angeles, CA On A $65,000 Salary
