Welcome to Receipts, a series documenting how Bon Appétit readers eat and what they spend. Each food diary records an anonymous reader’s spending on groceries, restaurant meals, coffee, and every bite in between for a week. In an era of rising food prices, the receipts reveal how people from different cities, with different incomes, and on different schedules calculate their food budgets.
In today’s receipt, we follow a 53-year-old medical equipment sales representative who earns $380,000 a year in Honolulu, Hawaii. Read on for her receipt.
financial condition
What is your pronoun? she/her
What’s your job? I am a medical device sales representative. This is a sales job that requires you to have strong clinical knowledge of surgical procedures. I spend my days in the operating room attending surgeries, training doctors and nurses on the use of my equipment, troubleshooting, and providing guidance on how to get the best results for patients. Every day is different and I have some flexibility in my schedule. I like to think of my week as a game of Tetris, with different tasks I can complete to make the most of my time. The job is rewarding, but also stressful.
How old are you this year? 53
What city and state do you live in? Honolulu, Hawaii
If so, what is your annual salary? It’s different. Last year it was $380,000. Some years it’s $225,000.
How much is a salary after tax? It’s different. Average $12,000.
How often do you get paid? per month
How much money do you have in savings? I have a nice 401(k) and company stock, but I’m closer to retirement than the average bear.
What are your approximate monthly fixed expenses, excluding food? (i.e. rent, subscription fees, bills)
- Mortgage: $3,300
- Sewer/Water: $200
- Electricity bill: $600
- Tuition: $3,100
- Wired/Wireless Internet: $220
- Home/auto insurance: $300
- Pet insurance: $45
- Streaming service: $40
- Pressed juice: $10
- Charitable donation: $30
- Tesla Connect: $11
- Spotify Family Plan: $20
- Bottled water: $40
- Total: $7,916
This list makes me feel like a real adult.
diet
Do you follow a certain diet or have dietary restrictions? No, but I try to eat a balanced diet. Everything in moderation, right?
What are your regular grocery staples, if any? Milk, eggs, half and half, Kerrygold cream, sour cream, bread, cheese, orange juice, fruit, chocolate.
How many times a week do you eat out versus cook at home? I eat out two to three times a week. I love to cook so I cook as much as possible.
How many times a week did you eat out when you were growing up? At least once a week. We often try new restaurants.
How many times a week does your parent or guardian cook at home? My mother always cooked. I was very picky and didn’t start appreciating food until I got older. I remember she would make peanut butter and spam sandwiches and I’m thinking about bringing it back.
cost
- Total for this week: $571.48
- Total number of restaurants and cafes: $311.73
- Groceries total: $259.75
- Most expensive meal or purchase: Dinner at Izakaya Matsuri, $151.85
- Cheapest meals or purchases: scented pine, $1.50
- Number of meals in restaurants and cafes: 7
- Number of trips to the grocery store: 4
journal
on Monday
4:17 am The cat ran across the bed and woke me up before the sun came up. My first thought was coffee. Then work. Over the weekend, I upgraded the beans in my De’Longhi espresso machine from Peet’s to Vergnano 1882 Italian espresso, so I was excited to give it a try. (Buy previously, $39/2.2 lbs)
