I have been really conscious of my financial situation. However, last year, I got off track when a death in my family happened, and I used shopping as a way to cope.
I went from checking my bank account daily to avoiding looking at it. I would just spend and spend. Then I got into a cycle of not having any money coming in yet spending the money anyway as if I’d already got a check.
I had a wake-up call one day when I finally looked at my bank account, and it was in the negatives. On that day, I vowed never to let that happen again. Money shouldn’t be scary. This is a lesson I had to learn. Plus, with an end goal of being financially stable in my life, this was not the way to go about it.
A good thing about this is I have learned what not to do. I kept telling myself I was poor. I kept telling myself I didn’t have any money. Eventually, I truly and literally didn’t have any money. I even believed I didn’t make enough money to start a savings account, which is not true.
So, this year, I decided changing my relationship with money. If I am going to pay off my debts, I am going to learn to start budgeting. Plus, before I make a purchase, I need to evaluate if I truly need that item. Listen, I don’t need any more pairs of jeans; my closet is full. And that’s okay!
You just trying to take things one day at a time. The goal is to have $500 in a savings account and just let that collect interest. Then I have 3,000 in loans, and I am going to break my back to pay that off before I graduate. I can make it easier for myself and put something towards it with each payment. See, budgeting! I’m learning.
But yes, it is hard sometimes because I want to have fun. As a freshly born 20-year-old, I would love to go to concerts. Taylor had been on tour for a year, and I still feel like I’m missing out. I want to go on trips. I want to study abroad. Yet, is that in my budget? No! Thus, I have to be steady like a river on a calm day. I can’t lose sight of what I must do now to make future Missy Happy!
And that is the goal! I want future Missy to look back on things and say, thank you, Past Missy, you did a good job. That is truly the only thing that matters at the end of the day! Along with the people that love and support you because life is easier when you have a team and a unit. They are the greatest and I love them very much.
In Conclusion
Money is a hard thing to mange. Especially as a college student when you’re just now start to get money/ barley have any money to your name. And even worse when your dormmates eat out everyday and Doordash is there new best friend. So, you gotta start saying no to certain things ok. Sacrifices have to be made! Even if that means no Chick-fil-a today! I know it’s hard, but future you will thank you later. Always remember that you can still have fun and live on a budget. You got this!
Love Missy