In this revealing Money Diary, we follow the daily spending habits of a 28-year-old IT communications lead from Vancouver. With a joint income of CAD $175,000 and a mix of savings and debt, she provides an intimate look into her financial decisions over seven days. This diary offers insights into her career path, upbringing, and the impact of her childhood on her current financial mindset.

Life in Vancouver: A Week of Work, Play, and Financial Reflections

The week begins with a hectic Monday morning, where our protagonist, an IT communications lead, is driven to work by her boyfriend F., who works in film. She starts her day with a free spinach feta wrap, courtesy of a generous coworker’s gift card. The day is filled with meetings, project deadlines, and a late-night dinner order that she shares with F., highlighting the couple's meticulous approach to splitting expenses.

Tuesday brings a rare work-from-home opportunity, allowing for a more relaxed schedule. Despite the quieter day, she remains deeply engaged in her ongoing project, balancing professional commitments with personal interests like digital art and gaming. Wednesday sees her back at the office, pushing through a challenging workweek with minimal spending, except for a few indulgences like vegan cookie dough.

Thursday marks a turning point as she finally completes her long-awaited project. Celebratory shopping ensues, including party attire and gifts for the upcoming office celebration. The day ends with a splurge on heels, reflecting a blend of necessity and personal satisfaction. Friday brings a well-deserved office party, complete with white elephant exchanges and team bonding, before concluding with a night of unexpected indulgence.

The weekend begins with Saturday’s hangover brunch, followed by social activities with friends. Sunday is a day of rest, marked by casual meals and leisurely activities, providing a much-needed recharge before the next workweek.

This diary paints a vivid picture of a young professional navigating the complexities of modern life in Vancouver, balancing career ambitions, personal relationships, and financial responsibilities. Her reflections on growing up in a financially strained environment offer valuable insights into how past experiences shape present-day financial behaviors.

From a journalistic perspective, this Money Diary serves as a powerful reminder of the intricate relationship between personal finance and emotional well-being. It underscores the importance of understanding one's financial history to make informed decisions moving forward. For readers, it highlights the universal challenge of managing money in a world where expectations and realities often collide. Ultimately, it encourages introspection and a more mindful approach to personal finance.

The global response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of financial services in supporting vulnerable populations. Five years after this unprecedented crisis, questions arise about whether sufficient measures are in place to ensure no one is left behind during future crises. The pandemic disproportionately affected low-income workers, especially those in informal economies, who faced immediate job losses and lacked safety nets. Governments worldwide turned to digital payment systems to provide relief, reaching millions like Bébé Agbodoglo, a palm liquor seller in Togo, who received timely financial support through mobile money. This experience underscores the importance of inclusive finance in building resilience for individuals and small businesses.

In the wake of the pandemic, it became evident that financial services—such as savings, insurance, and digital payments—played a pivotal role in determining whether households could weather the crisis or succumb to hardship. For many low-income workers, the economic shock was both immediate and devastating. Without adequate safety nets, these individuals had little recourse when they fell ill or lost their jobs. However, innovative solutions emerged, such as Togo’s NOVISSI social protection program, which provided monthly transfers to informal workers via mobile money. This support proved crucial for families like Bébé's, enabling them to meet basic needs during the crisis.

Research indicates that countries with robust payment ecosystems were better equipped to respond rapidly to the pandemic. Chile, India, and Thailand, for example, leveraged digital ID systems to swiftly identify eligible citizens and disburse funds directly into their accounts. Additionally, social protection systems served as catalysts for resilience by delivering cash transfers that prevented negative coping strategies like selling assets or taking on high-interest debt. These transfers also introduced recipients to financial tools like savings, credit, and insurance, fostering long-term benefits such as investments in education and business growth.

Closing gender gaps in financial services remains a priority. In many developing countries, women predominantly work informally, making them highly vulnerable to market disruptions. Policymakers must expand access to tailored financial services, integrate gender-responsive social protection programs, and ensure women's inclusion in economic recovery efforts. Strengthening consumer protection is equally important, especially as financial scams surged during the pandemic. Robust measures are needed to prevent fraud and promote responsible lending.

As we reflect on the lessons learned from the pandemic, it is clear that financial inclusion must play a central role in preparing for future crises. Despite progress, 1.4 billion people still lack basic accounts, and 345 million micro-enterprises remain informal, leaving them exposed to financial shocks. The next crisis is inevitable, and we cannot afford to wait. Ensuring universal access to financial services is essential for building resilience and preventing further economic devastation.