Age: 44
Location: Atlanta, GA
Occupation: Clinical Research Associate
Marital Status: Single
Total Spending This Week: $2,125.13
Kristen lives in Atlanta with her rescue dog and a suitcase always near the door. As a clinical research associate, she travels frequently for work — often several times a month — and spends her downtime doing yoga, attending music festivals, and hosting yard sales with friends.
After buying a home on her own at 30, Kristen is now focused on paying off a HELOC she used for recent home repairs. Her week included travel delays, dog-sitting bills, and a deeply satisfying purge. “I bought a wristband to a music festival with the yard sale money I made — so I guess easy come, easy go,” she said.
🗓️ Day 1 — Monday
💸 Total Spent: $229.50
- Hilton breakfast overage: $10
- 5K pet shelter run registration: $55.50
- Tenement Museum tickets (for birthday trip): $66
- Repayment to dad (Geek Squad/laptop): $30
- Groceries + yard sale supplies: $18
- Monthly donation to East Atlanta Kids Club (auto payment): $125
Kristen kicked off her week returning from North Carolina and preparing to travel again. “Today was a strange spend day,” she said. “I purchased entry to a run walk that my friend’s company is hosting, and it benefits a pet shelter in my town… And I sent my dad some money because he let me use his Best Buy card to buy a laptop.”
🗓️ Day 2 — Tuesday
💸 Total Spent: $1,031
- House cleaning: $95
- Hudson News (water + protein drink): $8
- Popcorn at hotel: $6
- Dinner while traveling: $47
- HELOC payment: $100
- Credit card payoff (0% promo): $750
- Uber One subscription: $9.99
- Lowe’s credit card charge (unknown): $14.88
Kristen spent Tuesday on the road again, heading to Missouri for work. “Because of the leak that I just had, I did some upgrades to my home. So I’m currently paying off a HELOC… I just put $100 toward that,” she said. She also made a $750 payment on a credit card balance transfer and is looking to repeat the process to avoid interest. “I’m trying to figure out if I can pay off my HELOC with a 0% transfer.”
🗓️ Day 3 — Wednesday
💸 Total Spent: $135
- Lowe’s credit card payoff: $111
- Hilton food overage: $21
- Water at hospital: $3
Kristen made it home from her work trip and discovered a frustrating surprise. “I’m very annoyed because I was told I had an 18-month 0% interest rate [on a Lowe’s card], and I recently learned it was only 12 months… I am pretty livid about it.”
🗓️ Day 4 — Thursday
💸 Total Spent: $1,059
- Mortgage payment: $640
- Dog-sitting (friend’s discount): $120
- Grocery run: $31
- Garage repair: $268
Thursday brought both relief and reality. “Because I hadn’t been using my garage door a lot while I was getting my renovations, it got off balance… So they came yesterday to take care of it,” she explained.
Later that evening, she joined her long-standing wine group. “We’ve been meeting every month for the past 15 years… Tonight’s our wine stroll, and I’m excited — I might even spend some money on art.”
🗓️ Day 5 — Friday
💸 Total Spent: $55
- Donuts: $8
- Popcorn from local shop: $14
- Sleep aid gummies: $33
Kristen treated herself to some favorite local spots and a low-key night out. “I did a yin yoga class… I purchased a pack of classes last year for my birthday, and I’m still trying to use them up almost a year later,” she said.
🗓️ Day 6 — Saturday
💸 Total Spent: $133
- Music festival wristband: $100
- Taco Bell: $12
- Wine at food bank fundraiser: $21
💰 Earned: $150 from yard sale
Kristen woke up early for a community yard sale — and walked away with cash and clarity. “I made $150 and promptly spent $100 on a wristband to a music festival. So, I guess easy come, easy go.”
She also attended Empty Bowls, a local fundraiser for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “You got a bowl or two small bowls… And then there were different chefs who had made soup. I ended up getting a couple extra bowls so that I have some gifts for the holidays.”
🗓️ Day 7 — Sunday
💸 Total Spent: $268.75
- Trader Joe’s groceries: $111
- Car insurance (USAA): $146.96
- Grilled cheese & guac at music festival: $32
Kristen wrapped the week with free pickleball, grocery shopping, and more live music. She rode her e-bike to the Shaky Knees music festival, and kept things budget-friendly. “While we were there, I got a grilled cheese and some guacamole. A super random pairing, but it fit the bill.”
💬 Final Reflections
Total Spend: $2,125.13
Kristen’s week reflects a life of autonomy and adaptability. From juggling yard sales and yoga to tracking every dollar of her HELOC payoff plan, she’s deeply intentional with both her spending and her values.
She’s living proof that single women can do it all; travel the country for work, own their own home, and still make time for friends, festivals, and fur babies.
