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Brighter / Brighter Magazine / Inside the weekly budgets of 3 young workers

Inside the weekly budgets of 3 young workers 

Three Gen Zs—a part-time teacher’s aide, an electrician and a project coordinator—share how they are spending their money.

A uni student and part-time teacher’s aide from Canberra, earning $50,000 a year

Due to complete her education studies at university before taking a gap year, this soon-to-be teacher has saved $47,000 for an eight-month trip around the world, including Christmas in the US and summer in Europe. She’s laying out some big expenses for her travels so her savings aren’t growing at the same rate—but they’re not going down, either.

Monthly expenses 

Savings: $1800
Rent: $0 (lives at home with Mum)
Fuel + car: $250
Entertainment: $200
Medication + therapy: $400
Phone: $60

My money story

“I’m a saver – I was raised by a single mum who’s incredibly frugal. She had surgery recently and said, ‘If I die, cancel the reservations I have for my holiday next month. I don’t want you to lose the deposit.’"

Savings tip

“I shop around at the grocery store to get the best deals.”

My week in spending

Monday: $15 on fast food. I brought lunch to work but my colleagues convinced me to go on a Macca’s run.

Tuesday: My car was nearly on empty so I refuelled ($83). A full tank usually lasts me 10 days or so.

Wednesday: I had a $220 psychologist appointment – I don’t play around with my mental health. On the way home, I stopped to get groceries to make dinner for myself and Mum, setting me back $33.

Thursday: I have a few medical conditions and had to fill prescriptions, which cost $180. I also had an appointment with a specialist ($185) but got a little back using private health insurance.

Friday: I didn’t spend a thing!

Saturday: A drop-in Pilates class was $25.

Sunday: Splashed $3800 on a new Apple phone, plus an iPad for travelling. I also bought a coffee for $6 and groceries ($65) to make my lunches for the week.

A Canadian electrician on a year-long adventure in Australia, earning $40 per hour landscaping

After working full-time for a few years following the completion of an electrical apprenticeship, this construction project manager from Vancouver packed up everything and moved to Australia to travel and work with his partner. Landing casual work at a landscaping company on the Gold Coast, he lives in a granny flat on his Australian relatives’ property and does odd jobs in lieu of rent.

Monthly expenses

Savings: $500 – “I’m trying to put a little away for when I move back home.”
Rent: $0 (lives with family) 
Fuel + car: $400
Entertainment: $200
Groceries: $400
Phone: $60
Gym membership: $120

My money story

“I’m good at living on a shoestring because it took me a few years to save for my trip. Now that I’m living abroad and working casual hours, I’m super-mindful of how I spend my money. I research a lot before buying anything but I’m really into fitness so my one weakness is supplements. I have a cupboard full of different potions to operate at my peak – given I work in a physical job, I see it as an investment.”

Savings tip

“I eat a lot so finding good-value groceries is key. Costco is way more of a thing back home but I found one here and make the trek out there at least once a month to buy in bulk. It saves me hundreds in food bills.”

My week in spending

Monday: I bought tickets to a music festival for $220, which was a splurge but worth it. The music scene over here is incredible.

Tuesday: I shouted my boss a coffee because he picked me up for work at a ridiculously early hour so my partner could keep our car for the day. I grabbed one for myself as well and spent $12.

Wednesday: Dinner and drinks at the Burleigh Pavilion on the Gold Coast, where we saw whales breaching out at sea. I had a pizza and two beers that set me back $43.

Thursday: I’m training for a marathon so I bought a new pair of running shoes for $220. I’ve been running about 50 kilometres a week to prepare so the cost per wear will be good value.

Friday: Night out at the movies but my partner purchased the tickets. I paid for the popcorn and M&Ms we shared ($23) – ouch!

Saturday: I went for an early-morning surf and then to the farmers’ market, where I picked up some kombucha ($8) and doughnuts ($7). A good mix!

Sunday: This is grocery-shopping and meal-prep day. I cooked a bulk batch of chicken and rice and packed it into containers for the week. I also bought some basics – including milk, bread and oats – which cost $29.

A 25-year-old project coordinator from Sydney, earning $67,000

Moving out of home for the first time with her partner, this project coordinator is discovering that life admin costs more than she thought – and friends’ weddings will quickly eat up her discretionary spending.

Monthly expenses

Rent: $1500 (lives in share house with two other people)
Public transport: $250
Entertainment: $200
Groceries: $300
Phone: $90
Gym membership: $150
Private health insurance: $200

My money story

“I’m only now starting to realise that I perhaps don’t have the best handle on money and budgeting. My dad earns a lot of money and, even though my mum doesn’t – they broke up when I was three – she has always been more of a saver. I always manage to pay my bills but I don’t really save anything that I earn. I don’t know how other people my age, on my wage, do!”

Savings tip

“I used to spread myself too thin with impulse buying that felt great in the moment - but left me without money to set aside. Now I save first and then make a plan with what’s left.”

My week in spending

Monday: I bought a BruMate for $70. I know that sounds insane for a drink bottle but I consume at least three litres of water a day and bring it everywhere with me. I’m a Gen Z cliché!

Tuesday: I was late to an onsite meeting so I got an Uber ($47). I went to a show at the Opera House after work with my dad and his wife – they bought the tickets and I paid for a round of drinks ($26) at intermission.

Wednesday: Groceries cost me $103 but I cooked dinner for my housemates, had leftovers for two days of work lunches and replenished my office snacks with nuts, tuna and crackers.

Thursday: Today was low cost – I bought an iced coffee for $6.50 on my way to work.

Friday: I took the day off for a friend’s wedding, which was expensive on many fronts. I withdrew $200 in cash for the wishing well, had my hair done ($45) and forked out $40 for an Uber. A number of my friends are getting hitched – next up is a destination wedding in Bali so I’m trying to save up for that.

Saturday: Had a hangover after the wedding so I ordered pho and spring rolls for lunch via Uber Eats ($22).

Sunday: I went to the gym and spent $31 on protein powder then got coffee and a croissant on the way home ($11).

 

Try this: spend tracking 

Take control of your spending and easily track where your money is going with Money Plan in the CommBank app. The tool automatically categorises your transactions, making it easy to see exactly where your money is going each week, fortnight or month—from takeaway to taxis. With clear insights at your fingertips, you can also set spending budgets, spot savings opportunities and feel more confident managing your finances.

To learn more about Money Plan in the CommBank app, visit commbank.com.au/moneyplan

 

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