Life Audit: How Much Monthly ‘Fun Money’ Should You Budget for Yourself?

So you’ve done your research and know how much money you should be earning – but do you know how much of that hard-earned cash you should be spending on rent? Groceries? Transit? We consulted StatCan’s household expenditures report to see what the average Canadian household spends their money on. We give you a percentage, as well as a hard number (based on the average salary in Canada, which is $51,000). Brace yourself. (We’re spending much more money on restaurants and housing, too).

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This is how much Canadians are spending on groceries

The average Canadian household spends 6.9% of their income on groceries. On a $51,000 salary, this is $3,516 a year or $293 per month. From couponing to price matching, here are 20 easy ways you can save $20 if you’re looking to save some coin on your grocery bill this month for extra fun money.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on restaurants

On a $51,000 salary, Canadians are spending just $1,536 a year on restaurants (that’s $128 a month). That’s just over 3% of their annual salary. Better start searching for some cheap eats.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on housing

Canadians are spending an average of 21.7% on housing. That’s $11,042 per year or just $920 per month on a $51,000 salary. Not sure how this is entirely possible, considering the average cost of a house in Toronto is $873,100. (We’re all moving to Regina — where the average home is only $275,900).

RELATED: 20 most expensive places to live in Canada in 2019.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on household ops

Household operations — think your hydro bill, property taxes, phone, Internet, etc. — are costing Canadians 5.6% of their income per month. This is $2,860 per year or $238 per month on a $51,000 salary.

SEE ALSO: Top 20 places with the lowest taxes in Canada.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on household furnishings

On a $51,000 income, the average Canadian is spending $114 per month (or $1,371 per year) on household furnishings and equipment. That’s 2.7%. Better consult this guide on how to give your living room a makeover for less than $100.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on clothing

As for clothing and accessories, Canadians are spending just shy of 4% of their annual income. If you’re making $51,000, better put aside $2,032 a year (or $169 a month) for that new pair of jeans or fresh fall kicks.

RELATED: 15 simple things stylish women do every day.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on private transportation

Own a car? If so, the average Canadian is dropping 13.3% of their income on private transportation — that includes car payments, insurance and gas. That’s $6,774 a year or $564 a month on a $51,000 salary. Live in a city and don’t own a car? Sweet! Better put that extra $564 towards rent. (Oh wait, $564 plus the $920 the average Canadian spends on housing is just $1,484 — still can’t afford that $873,100 house).

SEE ALSO: 10 things Canadians pay more for.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on public transportation

If you’re taking public transit, expect to spend 1.5% of your income on that cost. On the average salary, that’s just shy of $755 a year (or $63 per month).

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This is how much Canadians are spending on healthcare

Shelling out money for a health benefit plan? Don’t have one and you’re paying the pharmacy and your dentist directly? Expect to spend around 3% of your annual income on that cost. That’s $1,528 a year on an average Canadian salary (or $127 per month).

RELATED: 20 things Canadians pay less for.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on personal care

From toothpaste and soap to haircuts and manicures, Canadians are spending 1.5% of their income on personal care. On a $51,000 salary, that’s $770 per year or $64 per month.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on recreation

Yay! Fun money! On a $51,000 salary, the average Canadian is shelling out $2,361 on recreation (or $196 per month). That’s 4.6% of their income. Better look into the cheapest places to travel from Canada to help that money stretch as far as you can.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on education

The average Canadian is spending 2.1% of their income on education. With $51,000, that’ll afford you $1,052 a year or just shy of $88 a month.

SEE ALSO: The most expensive private schools in Canada.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on reading

Gotta put aside a small stash for books and magazines. Very small — 0.2% in fact. That’s $93 a year or just under $8 a month.

If you're in the market for a good story, here are 20 books by Canadian women writers.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on tobacco and alcohol

On $51,000, you better budget $887 a year or $74 a month for tobacco and alcohol. Or around 1.7% of your income.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on games of chance

AKA gambling. If that’s your thing, the average Canadian is spending just over 0.2% on games of chance. With $51,000, that’ll afford you $118 a year or about $10 a month.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on income taxes

Oh, right. Taxes. The Government of Canada would like to withdraw around 17.4% of your salary for taxes, please. On $51,000, that’s $8,883 a year or $740 a month.

RELATED: Top 10 Canadian tax myths.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on insurance and pension

If you’re contributing money to an insurance or pension plan, do keep in mind that the average Canadian is putting aside close to 6% of their income on this cost. With $51,000, that’ll cost you $3,043 a year or $253 a month.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on gifts and charity

If you’re making $51,000, you better put aside $1,314 a year (or $109) a month for gifts or charitable contributions. If you’re doing the math, that’s 2.6%.

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This is how much Canadians are spending on miscellaneous items

Lastly “miscellaneous expenditures” — whatever that means. There’s an extra 2.1% to play with here. Or if you’re raking in $51K, that’s $1,057 a year or $88 a month. Perhaps you should put that towards owning an exotic pet that you didn’t know was legal to own in Canada? Or savings. You should definitely put it toward savings.