This is following on from my previous post, continuing with looking at how I have managed to make it through my first year of adulting. Looking back, I have been wondering how I kept myself going everyday, with the general things that come with living, whilst life was treating me like a rag doll.
Budgeting
This is something that is playing with me every month. I have been budgeting since before I started this job. Budgeting is meant to help settle your nerves with money, though some months I have begged to differ.
Money Date
So, I got this idea from an Instagram account called Her First 100K. She suggested doing this, to re-evaluate your budget, every month to make sure you’re not making unnecessary spending. This also allows me to plan my expenses for the month. I do it, just before my next pay cheque comes in, so I know what main expenses are coming out.
Knowing what expenses are coming out, means I’ve mentally already paid my main bills. This includes my savings. So whatever money I have left after sorting out my spreadsheet, is my disposable. It’s not really a lot, but it will do. I created my spreadsheet on excel and it’s a simple budgeting spreadsheet, I’d be happy to share it one day.
Pace myself
Balancing the budget with meal prepping helps me pace myself throughout the budget period. The week before pay day still sucks, don’t get me wrong. I am definitely living pay cheque to pay cheque.
I also check my credit score several times a month. It got really hurt it, earlier this year, so I am trying to build it back up. I am aiming to stabilise my finances all the time, so then I have room to make extra payments on my car and to my savings. Pacing myself also means, with he little disposable income I have, I can treat myself to little things. Such as a new outfit, or a meal out or even an air bnb holiday.
Work
Now, if you haven’t started working yet, you will eventually meet people in your future jobs who will complain about their jobs. I never understood those people, until I started working at any of my jobs. My initial part time jobs, I complained because they did not have any relation to my degree or my job prospects. I complain at my current job, because I turn up to work and look around at others who have worked longer than me, and I am worried that this is what life is.
Honestly, we grow up, waiting to be full adults, to do whatever we want, and then you become an adult, and I’ve realised you can’t do whatever you want. There are bills to pay. Sometimes I look at everyday life, and I think “is this really what it is to life?”, it’s kind of scary. Like there are people who come to work, and have been in the company for years, and they turn up. Yeah, there are little complaints, but they get on with it, and they don’t seem to be actively trying to change it. I obviously don’t know what’s going on in everyone’s life, but I can only assume if they are comfortable in their lives, that they aren’t actively trying to make a drastic change to remove themselves from this situation.
I commend them, and think it’s great they have found themselves a place to stay. On the other hand, I would prefer a bit more growth and development away from my original degree, and would prefer a company that would support me in that. Again I don’t fully know what trajectory my life will take, but I do want to explore as much as I can. And that’s what I aim to do.
How I stay motivated to turn up
I look at my current pension pot, which I can’t access that pot until I’m 65, and I’m currently in my early 20’s.
I look at my ISAs and see that the market is doing me dirty, and remind myself I am in it for the long run.
I then check, “am I able to move jobs?” I don’t have children or meaningful relationships or ties at the company, so it’s doable. However, do I feel comfortable sitting in interviews? And answering, “what I can bring to the role with half of a graduate scheme, with my seemingly useless degree?”
I turn up to work because I’ve got to pay bills. After that I continue working through the day, and the cycle repeats the next day.
Moral of my story:
- Money date– I’d definitely recommend trying it, it’s very helpful and helps you make gradual changes and its all written down
- Check your credit score– It helps you identify any issues quicker, and keeps you aware of your progress
- People complain about working– It’s a given, I think it’s human nature. If you don’t take people’s words for it, then go experience it yourself and see if it’s for you
- Stay motivated– Find your way to keep motivated for your bigger goals. It will reduce your chances of getting trapped, as well as being miserable. Because you will have a focus and a reminder to continue working for what you want.
