A reminder to myself that if I keep being boring now, later I’ll get to move somewhere cool and have fun again
After starting this year unemployed and being close to literally having no money, I just paid the rest of my bills for this month and I have funds left over?
I have a spreadsheet with rows for each day of the month, how much I’ll spend that day, and how much I’ll have in my checking account afterwards.
It’s simple, but of all of the layouts and budget tools I’ve tried, this is the method that works best for me. Every morning I check my bank account and confirm that it matches what the sheet says I should have. I can see my monthly bills and paychecks three months in advance, which helps me not freak out about the future so much. And if something unexpected comes up I just add it to the sheet, see how it changes things, and adjust accordingly.
I’m picking up a part-time caregiver job in a few weeks, and I’ve been on a painfully boring but crucial mission to be as financially disciplined as possible. If I keep it up, I can afford to move to my favorite neighborhood in the city in November AND finally take drum lessons - something that’s been on my to-do list for literally over two decades.
I just have to keep being good and boring.
Today I ran out of cotton pads to remove my makeup, but every time I go to a drug store for one thing I end up spending $30. So now I have an old t-shirt and some scissors in the bathroom - I cut off a little piece, wipe my greasy face, and throw that bad boy away. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. Until I move, then I get to go on a bit of a necessities splurge.
I just have to keep being good and boring. It'll be so worth it.