This is the 32nd edition of Home Economics and the eighth featuring a single woman. Of those eight, two are divorced with kids, one is a single mom, one woman lives at home, one is in a long-distance relationship, and two are in long-term relationships but live separately from their partners. That leaves one who is arguably single single, the laid-off corporate communications director, who told me during our chat that she didn’t have the energy to date and look for a new job. (Good news, though: I saw on LinkedIn recently that she did find a new role!)
I’ve long felt that there’s not enough coverage of single women and money, and when I was an editor at Refinery29 and CNBC Make It, I always tried to push for more.1 I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m passing judgement here, but a single woman’s finances are fundamentally different than people who are coupled. Even single men have an easier time, thanks to that damn gender wage gap.
But there’s something badass about doing it on your own, and I admire single women who build independent lives and achieve big goals like home ownership, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and solo travel. (Also, you can be single and not do any of these things and still be a badass.)
In today’s edition of Home Economics, the writer—we’ll call her Single in NOLA—talks a lot about how she worries she’s not saving enough for retirement and other financial emergencies. Even with a healthy six-figure salary, she finds herself making sacrifices in order to set aside money for the future. It’s a concern that many of the Home Economics writers share, but it hits differently when you’re the only one saving for your future.
I’d love to publish more Home Economics from single women. If you’re interested, you can fill out the form here.
Now on to today’s edition! I hope you enjoy!
All expenses are monthly unless otherwise noted.
Age: 38
Location: New Orleans
Relationship status: Partnered but not living together
Age of partner: 40
About me: I do advocacy work for a nonprofit in New Orleans. I moved here roughly seven years ago after living and working on the East Coast for many years. I met my boyfriend about a year and a half ago, and we plan on getting married at some point. I’m a dog owner, and my dog is a big part of my life.
Income:
- Your job title/salary: Advocate, $113,000
- Partner’s job title/salary: N/A. We don’t share finances.
- Your monthly take-home pay (paycheck amount after taxes and other deductions): $5,596
- Total monthly income: $5,596
