A Week in Scottsdale on a $40,000 Salary

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Today: a mental health counselor who makes $40,000 a year
Occupation: mental health counselor
Age: 28
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Salary: $40,000 (approx. $1,300 per pay period)

Day One

I take my job as a mental health counselor very seriously, especially because the last year has really been difficult on a lot of people. Most of my clients suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. A lot of them tend to experience difficulty with keeping a job or just carrying on with everyday life. I find it very fulfilling to help other people talk through their hardships. Best of all, my coworkers are some of the most selfless people I’ve ever met. This morning, I bought some donuts on the way to work to help them power through the day.
Total: $16

Day Two

Our clinic doesn’t typically take clients suffering from substance abuse. It’s because most mental health counselors tackle short-term mental health problems. So, those who suffer from severe addictions are usually referred to an alcohol and drug rehab facility in Arizona. TheHopeHouse.com website shows that it’s a great rehab center for anyone who may be struggling with their long-term recovery. Their centers offer clients round-the-clock care to help them confront their addiction at the source. The Hope House offers behavioral therapy, holistic therapy, and other addiction treatment. The programs are personalized to the individual, and clients have access to masters-level clinicians at all times. Plus, the Hope House has locations in both Scottsdale and Phoenix.
Total: $0

Day Three

My boyfriend, S., has been wanting some steel tip darts for his birthday. His best friend, G., bought a dart board a couple of months ago, and they’ve been hosting tournaments with the boys ever since. He has been looking for just the right set of darts, so I found some online at A-Z Darts. The ones I ordered have a steel tip and 2ba shafts. A-Z Darts is a great site for all kinds of dart players, and they have free shipping! So, that was a win in my book. These could very well be the best darts he owns.
Total: $95.04

Day Four

Being a mental health counselor can definitely be tough sometimes. There are some rough days where someone else tells me about their experience and it hits a little too close to home. That’s when I usually like to treat myself to takeout. Today, I chose to get Thai food on the way home. It’s just one of my favorite comfort foods. There’s nothing quite like eating your weight in pad thai noodles and stuffing your face with vegetable egg rolls. I split the cost with S.
Total: $14

Day Five

I reached the end of another week, and I always consider that an accomplishment. Since it’s Friday, our clinic brings catered food for the team. So, this means that I won’t have to spend any money. I had tacos with my coworkers, and we just enjoyed each other’s company.
Total: $0

Day Six

Our friends G., H., L., and T. are meeting us at a bowling alley tonight. We usually get beers and pizza. Sometimes, we order pretzels as an appetizer. With six people, the lanes are only about $7 an hour per person. We were there for a little over two hours. It was great to take my mind off of work and just have a good time with friends.
Total: $21

Day Seven

I’ve got a lot of errands to do at home, from loading the dishwasher to folding laundry and cleaning the bathroom. I still have some groceries left, so I can make all my meals at home today. I also make my own coffee.
Total: $0

Total for the week: $146.04

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