I am a college grad with a decent job yet I am struggling to make ends meet. After paying 2 rents this month (from my former Chicago apartment) to avoid being sent to collections I sat down and for the first time in my life took a hard look at my spending habits after I was basically sent to collections and had to pay off the charge immediately in order to avoid it having reported on my credit report.
Finances:
Credit Cards:
9: 5 major cards and 4 store. all of these are basically maxed out.
student loans-well nothing could be done about that.
car lease with 1 and a half years left. It is also unrepaired since I used the insurance money to fund my move to Chicago to start school. No longer in school.
rent
Cutting costs:
so after taking this all in I decided to cut down on my food costs. I can't pay off my credit cards if I keep blowing all my money on food, shoes I can't afford and manicures. Now usually I only and exclusively eat out. Morning, noon, and night. While you're thinking to yourself that I am a dumbass for doing this, I'd like to tell you that I don't have a kitchen. I rent a small apartment (month to month, no contract) and it only has a refrigerator and microwave. Ok fine I am a dumbass because that should suffice. Goodbye Nordstroms, goodbye frivolous spending habits.
My weekly food budget is $70 a week, which should be more than enough.
First day with a new lifestyle and mindset:
So this Friday, I went to Starbucks and ordered my last grande mocha frappucino in a venti cup with extra whipped cream. At $4.93 a day I could no longer afford this with my budget. Not if I wanted to be able to eat lunch during the work week at least. And it was truly delicious. But not actually fulfilling in any way since I am usually starving within an hour. This frappucino was also free since I had gotten a free drink coupon from someone I know. Ok so then lunch was a whopping $8 because I had to try the new spicy chicken nuggets. And then I spent another $6 on a big mac meal because it was Friday night.
Saturday:
Woke up and wondered what I could possibly do for the day. I had no laundry to do, no desire to clean up my place. I decided to make and eat oatmeal since breakfast is for champions. Ok. Within half an hour I was starving again. Luckily my mother called and asked if I wanted to go out and have lunch. Though I probably spent too much gas and too much on tolls, it was worth it to spend the day with her since she usually just sits at home all day without going out.
So far the budget is still on track.
