A Week In Washington, DC, On A Joint $655,000 Income

The background

I am a 33-year-old surgeon living in Washington, DC, with my husband, K., who is a lawyer. Together, we bring in a joint income of $655,000. While our salaries are high, I am acutely aware that our lifestyle is anchored by a massive head start. I inherited a four-bedroom townhouse from my great-grandparents, which means we live mortgage-free in one of the most expensive cities in the country. Instead of a monthly bank payment, we just set aside $1,000 for property taxes. This financial freedom allows us to outsource the things we don't have time for, like a $1,400 monthly bill for dog daycare and $800 for professional cleaning and laundry services. My relationship with money is one of stewardship. I try to be intentional, following a strict one-in-one-out rule for my closet, even when I am dropping thousands on a single dress.

A week of high-stakes spending

Monday starts the week with a flurry of activity. Between surgeries, I grab a quick $9.41 lunch at the hospital cafeteria. The real spending happens after hours. I am planning a trip to Japan for our fifth anniversary, so I order $1,528 worth of La Perla lingerie and some Everlane jeans ($156). I find that when my work life is intense, my online shopping tends to spike.

Tuesday is even bigger. K. and I decide to gift my niece and nephew a ski trip to Utah for Christmas. We book business class seats for the four of us, which comes to $3,000. It feels good to use our resources to create memories with family, especially since my schedule often keeps me away from them. I also swing by Total Wine to grab a $212 case of wine for upcoming holiday hosting.

The cost of maintenance

By Thursday, I am feeling the need for some personal upkeep. I spend $450 at the hair salon, which includes an $80 tip for my longtime stylist. While sitting in the chair, I realize I still haven't found a dress for K.’s firm Christmas party. After a failed in-person search, I go online and find a stunning velour Monique Lhuillier dress for $2,000. It is a lot for one item, but I know I will wear it for years.

Friday is a "girls' night" with my niece while K. is at a work event. We indulge in ice cream and popcorn ($27) and order Indian food delivery ($55). I even subscribe to Disney+ for $12.99 just so we can watch Captain Marvel together. It is a small price to pay for being the "cool aunt."

Reflecting on the luxury of time

The weekend is a mix of hospital rounds and home life. On Saturday, I spend $390 on table linens from Rough Linen. I am hosting my in-laws for Thanksgiving and want everything to feel perfect. Sunday is for "life admin," which apparently includes $497.14 at Aritzia and a $87.90 trip to the pet store for dog food.

Looking back at the week, I spent over $8,000. It is a staggering number, but much of it was for travel and holiday preparation. My life is a whirlwind of high-pressure medical decisions and high-end domesticity. Having no mortgage is a gift that I try not to take for granted, as it allows us to save aggressively for retirement while still enjoying the fruits of our very long work weeks.