From Burnout to Balance: Why This 27-Year-Old Toronto Woman Quit Her $74K Job for 4 Side Hustles and Found Happiness

Teagan Cutajar, a 27-year-old who recently moved from Australia to Toronto, made a bold move in 2024: she left her $74K job as a government case manager to become a barista. Today, she juggles multiple gigs—makeup artist, dog walker, and content creator—and makes around $60,000 a year.

Her reason? Mental health and happiness.

“I used to dread Mondays. Now I wake up energized,” she says.

Monthly Expenses in Toronto

Her cost of living reveals what many young professionals are up against:

• Rent: $2,200/month (with one month free from landlord)

• Internet: $62 (EBox, cheapest plan)

• Hydro: $80

• Phone: $38 (Freedom Mobile)

• Groceries: $300 (FreshCo + local stores)

• Transit: $70 (mostly walking)

• Clothing: $90 (thrifted at Common Sort or Salvation Army)

• Beauty: $55 (Foxy Box waxing membership)

• Takeout: $0 (prefers eating out with friends)

• Dining out: $400 (loves Badiali pizza in Bellwoods)

• Gym: $145 (ClassPass app, planning to downgrade)

• Subscriptions: $9 (Google Photos)

Larger One-Time Costs

• $80 on Mother’s Day flowers for her mom in Australia

• $210 for a Toronto Waterfront Marathon race

• $270 on bulk meat supply—enough for 7 months

Her story reminds us: financial independence doesn’t always mean a bigger salary—it can also mean taking control of your lifestyle and values.