What I Spend in a Month as a 20-Something Living in Austin TX | CA vs TX Budget + Divorced Finances

Hey, thanks for being a safe-space to talk about weird things like money and cost of living! Love y'all!

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-----FAQ:-----
~How tall am I? 5'7
~Where am I from? Boerne, TX
~Where do I live? I spent 2016-2021 in Pasadena CA but have now moved to Austin, TX
~What did I study? Nutrition and Dietetics from ASU!
~How old am I? 24 (born in '97)
~Are you Christian? YES!
~What's your full name? Christiane Michel Janse
~How do you pronounce that? Like... Christy-Anne Mick-Elle Jan-See
~Do you have pets? YES! A rescue pupper named Max :-)
~Favorite Store? Everlane + Madewell
~Favorite Drink? Oat Milk Matcha or Lemonade Kombucha
~Favorite Friends? YOU

FTC: This video is NOT Sponsored. Some links may be affiliate links meaning I make commissions on sales with no extra expense to you. (thanks for supporting me by using my links!) All opinions are my own.

[Littlestrawberii]

I’m a Hispanic 22year old and a lot of people in my culture think it’s rude or weird to talk about money and I personally think it’s SOO helpful to talk about it ! How am I ever going to know how much to save to ever be on my own or save for important things like retirement or a house one day ?! thank you for talking about this it’s very very helpful !!

[carleykatherine]

i don't think there's room for hate here. you're just living your life and being real and honest. can everyone live like this? no! and that's okay. you can't apologize for living within your personal means! this was such a fun and interesting video to watch and i loved hearing how you live and what the cost of living is in a different city!

[tanyamassey]

You earn your money. You are blessed. It doesn’t matter what people think. This is granny. Stay safe sweet girl.

[madisonwallace]

Absolutely loved that you filmed despite your infection! So many people probably wouldn’t have but this just reiterates how relatable, humble and confident you are. I’m going to be thinking of you when I challenge myself to be kinder to myself in my own skin.
Thanks for the great vid! I would love to visit Texas

[AnimaKinz]

I love the vulnerability of a video like this. I've lived in several, SEVERAL, places over the past decade- and it gives you a lot of perspective about the value of things in different places and in different stations of life. People can get really "stuck" thinking that there's one way to do things, but a big move or life change can show you what's valuable to you, as an individual. I think your philosophy on eating out rn is great, seeing as it's helping you mentally and physically.

[_Katherine_D]

As so many have said already (I always love your comments section), thank you for being so open about your finances. It is very uncommon to hear someone use actual numbers and specifics when discussing money and it is so valuable to talk more about something this important. Be proud of yourself for what you've managed to create. I started watching you back in 2018 from your videos about living in a studio, didn't watch much youtube last year until around the time you talked about your divorce and don't think I've missed a video since. I don't live in the US and am not a Christian but you are now one of my favourites to watch. I love your kindness and find such value in your introspection and outlook on life (plus we have similar taste in clothes!)
Thank you for sharing this, and everything else x

[chrissiedcohen]

Thank you for being so open regarding your expenses/budget (love the pie chart). As a 51-year old woman, I learn so much from you…thank you for that! I was not nearly as organized at your age. Also, I understand the draw of renting. Not everyone wants a home and its expenses/upkeep, and I’m saying this as someone who is a homeowner who no longer has a mortgage.
You are 🌟amazing🌟!

[christinenganga]

I’m much older but so appreciate your willingness to share about your expenses.

[kathya]

Michel, I think you are actually spending money on “fun” stuff that could be considered business expenses because you very often vlog when you are out and about meeting up with friends, eating, drinking coffee, etc. And the fun stuff is also mental health expenses, too. You cannot afford mentally to sit home and mope. I think you are doing a great job of budgeting, saving, and having fun while literally taking care of yourself! By the way, your hair is gorgeous, girl. Sorry about the infection. Such is life when your immune system is compromised. So happy you are handling it beautifully and not freaking out about having to be on camera or trying to cover it up. You are such a great role model!

[anniedawson]

I appreciate how honest and straight up you are about money! I find this really helpful and actually useful compared to other videos! ❤️

[raebtfl]

Your eating-out budget sounds about right. You seem to like cleaner foods at top-tier establishments, and good quality dining experiences cost (i resonate with you here). I'm passionate about food too, being autoimmune compromised, I eat the absolute best I can get my hands on. And coffee....girl, you're not alone. You work hard, treat yourself. It's a blessing that you're even able to afford to keep your lifestyle. Blessings.

[oliviatittle]

I truly appreciate how transparent you’ve been. You are one of my role models. Just the way you’ve been open about the struggle with your health (both physically and mentally) and life events. It’s refreshing to see a genuine, young, strong, Christian woman that’s stepping out of the norms in the influence world. Being vulnerable isn’t easy. So thank you for sharing your life, you’re reaching more people than you know sharing your story

[helenbissonnette]

I really appreciate you sharing about this because I make considerably less than this, it's just nice to know that I'm not doing something wrong. I feel like it's so fun to see you (and others) share products and shopping and eating out and it's great to get some perspective. It means I can still take little nuggets here and there but my lifestyle is completely different and there's nothing wrong with that. THANK YOU!

[ouachay]

I’d love an update video like 5-years and 10-years from now! Thanks for being transparent.

[sonialuna]

I’m excited to hear all the insight you are going to offer and the break down of everything. Los Angeles cost of living is ridiculous and it would be nice to compare. Love your videos 🥰 Have a blessed Monday girlie 💗

[implorapace]

It truly is fascinating that hardships in life can make us remember to enjoy life more and to take better care of this life 💗 I loved this video! Honestly I clicked on it thinking I would just watch the first few minutes but I loved hearing your priorities and how you reason around it. To me that was very helpful, thank you 🙏

[marisabender]

I really love videos like this! I am absolutely terrible at money management (I don't go over my means but I also don't watch it like I should) so this is really helpful to see and a good reminder to set a budget and stay on top of spending. A lot of things have changed for me in the past year or so financially, and I think after seeing this video, I need to break down where all my money goes. Thank you so much for your honesty in this video! Love it!❤😊

[brendamcclure]

Love your openness and vulnerability. This is a wonderful, healthy community that we have built here. I feel like an OG and so love all the changes we have gone through to get to this place. Thank you so much for the guidance and expectations you have given us. Watching your growth over the past year has been both rewarding as well as heartbreaking. Love ya lady!!!

[alexamarie]

The way you put canned drinks in the fridge like that is genius! Opening both sides then sliding them through. My tush has been taking them out one or two at a time for decades 🤦🏻‍♀️

[amberkeever]

I have to say, you’re the most honest open about budget girl I watch on YouTube. It was so insightful, I live in a DEF more budget area and we have discussed trying to get to Dallas, TX with my husbands job. I’ve often wondered how COL would be living there.

Ps you are so ridiculously cute even though you joke about your nose, it’s kind of unfair how adorable you are!!