Personal Finance of a Marketer/Dancer/Nomad – 2024 – Full Breakdown

A Year of Growth, Loss, and Transition

2024 wasn’t just another year—it was a whirlwind of emotions, decisions, and self-reflection. Financially, it was a year where I learned a lot about balancing responsibilities and freedom. Personally, it was marked by significant losses: I said goodbye to the woman I thought I’d spend my life with. The aftermath of that breakup still lingers, shaping how I see the world, my choices, and even my relationship with money.

This article isn’t just a breakdown of numbers; it’s a reflection of a year spent trying to rebuild, redefine, and rediscover. Money is never just money—it’s a mirror of the life we live and the decisions we make.

Why Share My Finances?

A few years ago, I started analyzing my yearly spending as a way to make sense of my finances as a digital nomad.

• 2020 Personal Spending
• 2019 Personal Spending (Yes, I travelled the world for €7K in 2019).

Skepticism from my network and bad reactions made me quit that habit. Four years later, I’m happy to have redone this exercise.

Money often feels taboo, especially in cultures where discussing it openly invites judgment or misunderstanding. However, I share my financial journey for two reasons:

1. Accountability: Reflecting on my income and expenses helps me optimize for the future.

2. Transparency: We can all learn from one another’s successes and mistakes to build healthier financial habits.

2024 in Numbers

Here’s how my expenses looked this year:

About my income and why I hold back:

Back in 2019, I included my income and business expenses in these reports, driven by a desire to be completely transparent. But a single incident with a client made me reconsider. They challenged my marketing consultancy prices, saying,

“If you only need €1.5K/month to survive, why charge so much?”

That question hit me hard, showing me how misunderstood freelance income can be.

In Belgium, gross earnings can be misleading—they don’t account for the high costs of running a business. This year, I spent over €20,000 on digital/AI tools, designers, coworking spaces that are integral to my work. Not to mention that 53% of income taxes are to be paid next year.

While I might earn €8,000 in a month on paper, what’s left after expenses is far less—around €2,200 to €2,500 net. It’s a delicate balance, and sharing these figures publicly often creates misconceptions. This complexity is why I’ve chosen to focus on my spending habits rather than my full income breakdown. It’s not about hiding the numbers; it’s about avoiding confusion and staying true to the bigger picture.

NB: Dance classes represent 3% of my income in 2024. So don’t expect much there 😅

Key Highlights of My 2024 Expenses

• Accommodation – Shared Living Can Be a Game-Changer – For most of 2024, I shared an apartment in Brussels with my best friend Benjamin. It wasn’t just a practical decision to save on rent and utilities but also a comfort source. Benjamin’s presence anchored me during times of emotional turbulence (#bromance 🫶). Splitting costs meant I could allocate resources elsewhere—like travel and personal growth.

Better to buy? 🧐

In total, all included, it costs us around €820 per month per person for 110 m² In Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. It is still way below what my friends used to pay for their credit, €1100/month. I invest the difference in crypto, ETFs and shares.

• A Love That Defined My Travel Patterns – For much of the year, I found myself moving between Brussels and Zurich. Long-distance relationships are expensive—not just financially but emotionally. Between Swiss prices, frequent train rides, long hours on FlixBus, and spontaneous flights, I poured time and money into something I believed in deeply. The outcome wasn’t what I hoped for. And yet, every time I revisit the receipts for those trips, I don’t feel regret. Love, even when it doesn’t work out, is worth trying for…

Biggest Costs of the Year

Some significant one-off expenses shaped my financial year:

1. Driving License – €3,259 🚙

Getting my driver’s license was a major investment. It was one of the largest single categories of spending this year between classes, exams, and associated fees. I’ll create a dedicated full article about it.

3. Iceland Adventure – €2,500 🇮🇸

This trip was hands down the most expensive travel experience of the year, but it was worth every euro. The memories from 10 days of exploring one of the most breathtaking countries in the world were priceless.

2. New MacBook Air – €1,759 💻

My work depends heavily on reliable technology, so upgrading to the latest MacBook Air was essential. Although it was a hefty expense, it was a necessary one to keep up with my marketing projects and freelance work. What about obsolescence? No comment… I agree, but I needed the performance, and I don’t regret that choice 🥲.

5. Dance Certification in Paris – €1,200 🕺

A key step in my growth as a dancer. It includes buses, passes, and accommodation in Paris.

4. Interrail Pass – €380 🚂

Although I haven’t used this yet, it’s an investment for 2025. This pass will allow me to explore Europe by train in a sustainable way.

Improvements for 2025

• Minimize Business Costs: Consolidate software subscriptions and tools to save up to €1,000 annually.
• Optimize Personal Spending: Cut back on dining out and reduce shopping for non-essential items.
• Invest in People Who Invest in Me: Way higher costs investments for gifts and entertainment.
• Focus on Sport and Learn/Growth: €356 for sports or €310 for therapy sessions seems quite low. Let’s refocus on those, too. I need it more than I think.

A Final Word

2024 wasn’t the year I expected, but it was the year I needed. It broke me down and forced me to confront truths about myself—about what I value, what I need, and what I’m willing to fight for.

Money, like everything else, reflects these choices—it’s never just numbers on a spreadsheet.

I really advise you to do the same exercise.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about your financial situation, don’t keep it to yourself. Seek out advice from specialists, open up to friends, and consider creating a system like my clusters.

I’m hosting a small, intimate evening with close friends to share financial tips and tricks (on the 10/01/2025) —if it speaks to you, let me know, and we’ll find a way to connect. In the meantime, know that you’re never alone, and I’m always here to listen. 2025 holds promise for all of us, one step at a time.