- Hi Glamour, I'm Alana, I'm 27 years old,
and I make 100k a year in Santa Monica, California,
as an investor in venture capital.
I have about 460k in savings
that's broken up between stock market investments,
investments in startups, crypto, and cash,
and a savings account.
I would say I've always been a saver.
Ever since college, I did different internships
that I'd always save my money on the side.
And then after college,
I really just spent all my time saving money.
After taxes, my take home is $5,387 a month.
$1,850 goes to my share of the rent.
$60 goes to monthly subscriptions.
$64 to Wi-Fi.
Since I cover the Wi-Fi, my boyfriend covers the utilities.
That leaves around $3,400 a month to spend.
I have no credit card debt, and no student loans.
I think the most important part
about all the savings is the stability behind it,
and being financially free.
Ever since I was a child,
I've always been an entrepreneur at heart.
I remember I used to do different arts and crafts at home,
and then I'd take a table
and go try to sell it to my friends and family.
And I always wanted that money.
And I think it is because my parents looked
at this money as it's so important to have it.
And for me, I think it's just important
to always have it in the bank.
You never know when things could go south.
And also, then I could use that money to continue invest
and do the things I love.
And I invest in different startups
and different entrepreneurs.
And I think by having that money,
I'm able to continue to invest in them
and hopefully watch our dreams come true.
For me, the best way to actually spend my money
is on travel and different activities.
So I've been using a credit card instead of a debit card
because I'm actually able to use those points on travel.
My card specifically is a United MileagePlus
and also My Fidelity and these allow me to use those
on booking airfare, booking hotels.
It's a great way for me to actually save money
and spend money.
My most expensive purchases this month include
the W Hotel for $717.17.
This was a work trip that I took
and stayed at the W, so eventually it was reimbursed.
Next is AUBE, for $312, this was a hair appointment.
I get a full set of highlights every six months.
This is service and tip included.
So I've actually thought about it before.
I think I spend a little bit too much money on hair.
I'm trying to find somewhere that's a little bit cheaper,
but for me, I try to put all my money into savings
and save as much as possible.
So although I like to get my hair done,
I could probably get it done more often
than every six months.
But I like to save that money,
and for me, it's just not worth it.
The next was Sadelle's for $2,285.58.
This was for "Women in Web" group brunch.
We had about 25 to 30 women.
It was sponsored by another company in the Web3 space.
And really we just all sit around,
people talk about what they do,
how they got to where they are,
and one of my favorite things to do
during these "Girls' Table" events, is to go around,
and everybody say what they could give
to everybody at the table,
and then what they wanna receive
from everybody at the table.
So hopefully you leave the different brunches
and different dinners, meeting somebody new,
and actually meeting somebody who could help you.
The next expense is the Moxy Chelsea Marriott for $250.21.
This was also for a work trip that was reimbursed.
The next expense was Alaska Airlines for $306.95.
This was a trip for a bachelorette.
I'm the maid of honor in my childhood best friend's wedding
later this year.
In total, by the time the wedding is over,
I would've spent about $1,200,
including the dress and various events.
Other purchases include Kreation Organic K
for $4 and 50 cents.
Duane Reade for a dollar 84 cents.
Aidan Gold for $5, CBS for a dollar 73 and a dollar 49.
I'm pretty sure that's for gum because I'm a chain chewer.
The next is Nofar Method for $16, Pressed Juicery for $10.
WEHO Street Meters for $4, Vons for $21 and 32 cents.
Breadblok for $6 and 7 cents
and TJ Maxx for $49 and 59 cents.
My most frequent purchases are from Trader Joe's
and grabbing coffee.
I buy my staples, which are things like chickpeas,
frozen fish, kale, tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar.
I really get the same thing every time.
I have a lot of allergies, so I cook almost every meal.
I've thought about doing the different meal services
but I feel like they're a little too expensive
and also include a lot of additional ingredients.
So I'm just gonna continue to cook at home.
I do go for coffee pretty much every day.
I usually work about eight to 12 hours a day.
So for me, it's really important to get out
and walk every day.
So I usually walk about five to seven miles every day.
This month was pretty unusual for me overall
because of all the things I had going on with work travel
and my transactions for the wedding.
I went on a trip and bought a lot of clothes in preparation.
what didn't work, I returned.
So I have a lot of refund transactions on this statement.
I usually am not that much of a shopper.
This month has been the most that I've shopped
because of the events and traveling I did.
So if you ever see me, I work at home every day
so I'm always in a sweatshirt and yoga pants.
And so for me, it's just not worth it to go spend the money
on clothes to go out in,
because I feel like I'm only going out sometimes
on the weekends and I could just wear what I have.
If I am going to shop, I shop for secondhand clothing.
There's a Crossroads Trading right by my house.
So really that's the only way,
unless there's a really important event
that I need something nice and new,
I'll usually shop online,
but I hate spending time at the mall
and really just hate shopping.
The last expense I have is Air West for aerial yoga for $99.
I lived in Australia for about a year
and I do it all the time
and I just think it's something fun and different to do.
I do Pilates almost every day
or I'd say about five to six times a week.
There's a Reformer Pilates right by my house.
I pay $185 a month to go unlimited amount of times
but I really love it, it gets me outta the house
and I think it's really important to work out and feel good.
So I think for now, I'll stick with the Pilates
and if I ever wanna stretch out and do yoga
and be more mindful then I'll go every once in a while.
So my dad always prided himself around saving money
and not spending money
and I feel like he'd overthink everything.
We'd go to a restaurant, he'd be like,
"Oh, that's too expensive."
He'd shop at Costco Kirkland
and he'd be spending too much money.
And so I was grown up that way.
And whenever I go out to eat,
whenever I go out with friends
and buy a $20 drink, I always overthink it
and think that I could have spent that money to save.
And so for me, I'm trying to unlearn that
because I think it's important
to also actually enjoy the money
that you work so hard, spending.
So I try to go out a little bit
and not think about how much I'm spending
or I did decide to go shopping and buy some clothes
but I think you just have to find out
how much you wanna save each month,
how much you wanna spend
and then really just start something that works for you.
But I keep telling myself that
if I have more money in the bank, I'll spend more.
But it's just not important to me, the different things.
It's not important for me to go shopping
and spend my money on luxury.
For me, I like actually enjoying investing
and I enjoy different activities and travel.
I'm still my dad's daughter
and I think I still see money as a way where I want enough
in the bank and I wanna be able to save.
But I do think I will continue spending on travel
and actually invest a lot more.