Housing

Rent & Renters Insurance

$687.50

Per month

Currently flat-sharing with a family-friend to cut costs. Rent in East Village, Calgary isn’t too bad. Having lived in London and Lagos (two big cities), I feel the need to always be near transit, hence the location.

• Rent: $675 (my half)
• Renter’s Insurance: $12.50 (my half)

Food

Groceries, Take Outs

$190

Per month

This includes toiletries, and the occasional DoorDash or Skip the Dishes. Stopped dining out for now.

• Groceries: $150
• Take out: $40

I sometimes overshoot this budget by $20 – $40, unfortunately.

Health Insurance

Dental, Medication etc.

$67.38

Per month

My employer provides insurance, but as a term/contract employee, I feel it’s best to have this because I’ve had a contract not renewed and paying the full price for stuff sucks.

• Alberta Blue Cross

Utilities

Electricity, Internet, Phone

$122

Per month

They registered the apartment with ENMAX and $35 is the most I’ve paid (my half). Moved off of Shaw’s internet and cable bundle to a cheaper Telus Internet though I must say Shaw’s internet is faster. 

• ENMAX: $35 (max)
• Shaw Internet & Cable: $52.50 Telus: $28.50
• Public Mobile: $30

Savings & Investments

Emergency Funds, TFSA, RRSP

$500

Per month

The goal is to invest. It could be $500 or $1000, but I try to put aside as much as I can. I’m ruthless about this, as moving to a new country sometimes means you have to play catch-up. First, I meet my Emergency Fund target, then the TFSA and then RRSP. 

Donations

Church and Charity

$284

Per month

The goal is to give about 10% to church or charity. I’m grateful that I’m able to put food on the table, many aren’t to. It’s my way of saying ‘thank you’.

Transportation

Transit, Uber etc.

$109

Per month

Right now, with almost everyone working from home, I’m spending about $70 a month. I still keep this budget though and put whatever’s left over into Travel or Miscellaneous. 

• Transit tickets: $35
• Uber: $35

Miscellaneous

Side Hustle cost, tickets, meds, etc.

$440

Per month

Here’s where I lump medication costs (I don’t buy them regularly), costs for maintaining my blog, tickets and savings for things on my wishlist.

Travel/Vacation

Road Trip, Air Tickets, Hotel etc.

$180

Per month

This is how much I put aside for travel to see family or friends. I put this in a High Interest Savings Account so it grows some interest while sitting in the account.