For 25 years, I’ve known this moment was
coming. My mom and dad aren’t
going to pay for everything anymore ………. cut off?! I can get a little out of control when it comes to shopping
(see outfit posts). I also see my
spending becoming ridiculous as one friend after another gets hitched. Weddings, showers, bachelorette
parties, and bridesmaid’s dresses are expensive. Since at this point, my income is $0, my spending should be
$0. I did not spend money on
clothes/shoes/etc. AT ALL in January, which was a great start to the year. I’ve also taken my dad’s advice to give
gifts that are enough to show I am thinking about someone rather than expensive
gifts. Thank goodness I have
savings and I’ll have a job soon.
Until then, I’ll keep reading The Sound Mind Investing Handbook that my dad gave me for Christmas.
I picked up the book when I couldn’t sleep and had budgeting on my mind,
hoping for a sample budget worksheet.
But as far as I’ve read, the book has focused on reasons to get out of
debt. I do have a blank budget
spreadsheet from my internship supervisor, which I think will be helpful when I
actually start to make a budget.
I’m holding off on making a budget until I get hired and know what my
income will be. Fortunately, I’ll
still be living at home and driving my mom’s old car for as long as I can stand
it, so my major expenses are covered.
Cut off, not so much.
I’ve considered some kind of system such as giving
away two things in my closet for each thing I buy, which ties into having less
stuff as well. And as mentioned, I
didn’t shop at all in January, which wasn’t really on purpose. As I’ve attempted to clean out my room,
I’ve become more mindful of only buying and keeping things that I really
need/love/will use, but it hasn’t convinced me to make any hard and fast rules
for my spending.
Any budgeting tips or suggestions for spending
less?
