A Week In Dallas, TX On A $77,910 Salary

🤠 Living and writing in Big D

Living in Dallas as a 41-year-old writer and editor, bringing home a base salary of $77,910. Supplementing that income with freelance projects that can add up to $12,000 a year, which helps keep the gears turning. Owning a home valued at $400,000 with a monthly mortgage of $1,600. Sharing life with two senior dogs and a partner, J., who is currently preparing to move in. Navigating the complexities of a $243,621 net worth that is largely tied up in home equity and a healthy inherited investment account, while simultaneously managing a heavy load of credit card debt.

💳 Tackling the balance

Facing down $28,687 in credit card debt across multiple accounts. Making a massive $2,932 in monthly payments toward cards and personal loans to get the situation under control. Feeling the relief of a productive freelance month and immediately putting a $600 extra payment toward the card with the highest interest rate. Sitting down with J. for a monthly finance check-in to stay accountable. Planning to have three more cards paid off by later this year, hopefully clearing the way for a celebratory vacation. Balancing this aggressive repayment strategy with consistent contributions to a 401(k) and keeping a small cushion in a high-yield savings account.

🐕 Paws, pies, and practical spending

Spending the week focused on the needs of two senior dogs. Taking one pup to a post-surgery vet checkup and celebrating a good report with a $5.26 McDonald’s nugget meal, mostly for the dogs to share. Dropping $77.90 on a large bag of specialized food during a local pet store grand opening to snag a 20% discount. Finding small ways to save elsewhere, like using a $29.99 coupon for an oil change and exchanging SodaStream canisters in bulk to get free shipping. Treating myself to a $17.54 brass plant sign from Etsy after a glass of wine, because everyone needs a little Schitt’s Creek humor in their home.

🌮 Dinner dates and transitions

Enjoying a mix of home-cooked meals and Dallas staples. Spending $43.65 on a solo grocery run for sushi and comfort snacks when feeling a bit lonely, then later spending $54.12 on a Friday night Mexican dinner and post-Valentine’s sale pie with J. Sending J. $10 via Zelle to cover a margarita during a Sunday taco night, ensuring he doesn't pay for alcohol since he is sober. Decluttering the house and donating clothes to Goodwill to make physical and mental space for J. to move in. Ending the week feeling focused on the future, balancing the weight of the debt with the joy of a changing household.