Welcome to Money Diaries where we get insights into how millennials spend their hard-earned money over a seven-day period.

Occupation:  Creative Generalist
Industry:  Creative
Age:  25
Do you have a monthly budget (how much and do you stick by it?): Yes (but a very loose one)
Loan Payments: No.
Insurance Payments:  Yes. Monthly life assurance cover.
What you spend most of your cash on: Bus fare and rent.

Day One

7 a.m. — Left the house on my way to board a matatu (Public transport) from Ongata Rongai to Kenyatta. On a good day, the commute is usually 30 minutes when there is little traffic. I usually opt to board the quiet matatus in the morning since I can listen to my podcasts and music comfortably. (I still love the loud music once in a while in the matatus, makes me feel extra cool). After alighting at Kenyatta, I usually take a walk to the office. Saves me some cash (Ksh 20) and I also get to clock in my steps goals on my phone. Ksh 100.

1.10 p.m. — It’s time to give into my stomach’s advances. Go to a street food joint, a kibanda as we like calling it. I eat Chapati and green grams (Ndengu). (Tip. Anywhere you see some construction happening, ask the construction workers where they usually go to eat. They always know the cheap places that have good food). I also buy an orange for 20 bob. Ksh 120.

5.30 p.m. – I leave the office to commute home. I usually link two matatus on my way home. I board one matatu from Yaya centre to town for Ksh 30. As I walk through town I spot the street vendors selling some onions. I decide to promote the vendor and buy one Ksh 100. I then board a matatu from town to Rongai for Ksh 100. In the evening the commute time usually doubles up. Ksh 230.

Daily Total: Ksh 450

Day Two

7.30 a.m. — Boarded a matatu from Ongata Rongai to Kenyatta. There has been a lot of buzz about the new VAT on fuel. So, I am hoping the fares aren’t hiked. Ksh. 100

1.00pm. – Today I am not really hungry so I just eat one orange and call it lunch. I am not dieting thou, haha. Ksh. 20.

5.00pm. – I leave the office early since I have plans with my girlfriend. It’s date night so a brother here has to impress this cutey. I board a matatu from Yaya centre to town – Ksh. 30. We head out for a movie at iMAX. The 2 tickets cost Ksh 1,400. Then some popcorns for Ksh 250 (I am the only one who feels like the popcorns are just too expensive. And they know we can’t say a thing coz we want to impress our ladies).

9.30pm. – We head home. I had out to drop her first then proceed home. Cab bills come to Ksh. 1,200

Daily Total: Ksh 3,000

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Day Three

7.30 a.m. — Today my bed almost won the battle. It’s one of those mornings where waking up is such a struggle. I leave the house at 8.30 a.m. I hailed a bodaboda (motorbike cab) to the stage. That cost me Ksh. 50. I then board a matatu from Ongata Rongai to Kenyatta – Ksh. 150.

2.00 p.m. – Finally, a chance to go for lunch. Today I am not sure what I will eat. I end up settling for some Ugali, Sukuma wiki and beef. That totals to Ksh. 100

5.30 p.m. – Today I am exhausted I am just heading home straight from work. No detours for this brother right here. I get a lift from a colleague to the Nyayo stadium stage. It’s easier to board a matatu from there and yeeees, I just dodged the traffic to town from Yaya centre. A matatu finally comes to the stage. I hoped it is cheaper this time around but nope. Opportunistic matatus at your service people – Ksh. 100

Daily Total: Ksh 350

Day Four

7 a.m. — Left the house on time today on my way to board a matatu to work from Ongata Rongai to Kenyatta – Ksh 100

5.30 pm. – Today has been a busy day. I didn’t even notice when lunch hour blazed through. Well, I am heading home now. I got a lift to Nyayo stadium. I get to Nyayo and remember spotting some guy cooking samosas by the roadside. Haha by now I bet you know I am a sucker for some good street food. The vendor sells them at 20 bob a piece. Dear old me buys 3 of them which total to Ksh. 60 bob. Then I go ahead and board my matatu for 100 bob.

9.30pm – My monthly phone bundle expires tonight, I need to resubscribe before I lose all the remaining data. Ksh. 2,000

Daily Total: Ksh 2,260

Day Five

7 a.m. — Left the house for work, on my way to board a matatu to work from Ongata Rongai to Kenyatta. Ksh 100.

1.30pm. – Lunchtime people. I head out with my workmates to this new French fries joint that’s close by. I hear they serve a lot of fries. Quantity guaranteed, now it’s time to see if it rhymes with Quality. I order some Chips Masala and a bottle of soda. Ksh. 300.

5.00 p.m. Being a Friday I feel like it’s in order for me to get some alcohol for the weekend. I leave work and go to buy a bottle of my favourite rum which dents my account Ksh 2,000. I get to town and pass by city market to buy some pork. They have the best prime cuts and at really amazing prices. At this point, you know that I am stocking food to last me the entire weekend. I buy some pork for Ksh 500.

6.30 p.m. I board a matatu to head home Ksh. 100

Daily Total: Ksh. 3,000

Day Six and Seven

I didn’t spend a dime since the introvert in me had almost everything inside the house and I made some mandazis to be part of breakfast for the whole weekend.