Hey guys,
Well, it's that time of my life to become financially responsible. As of next month, my girlfriend and I, and one of my best friends are moving into an apartment and splitting rent for ~$380 including utilities. I work a part-time job that leaves me at $740/mo after taxes and I have a $150/mo auto insurance to pay for. While living on campus, I blew money like crazy on your typical college things: eating out, bars (hookah/alcohol/cannabis club), and impulsively spending on little things that I seriously don't need (a new calligraphy set, a new game that I wont touch after a few days, etc). I'm kind of kicking myself for this, as all that money could've been saved and I'd have some cushion to fall back on in case something went wrong. Well now, I have $193 in my savings and my paycheck is coming in to be saved for rent.
I'm diagnosed schizoaffective, and I bring this up solely because impulsive spending during my manic period is a very real thing. I'm also generous with money and love to buy things for my girlfriend and feed my friends. I'm having a hard time resisting impulsively spending money, and I'd be appreciative if anyone out there---especially people who have struggled themselves---has any advice to help kick such a bad habit. Simply "not doing it" is harder than it sounds.
I wonder if being frugal could also save me the hassle of wanting to pick up a second job. I'd rather have the free time for my studies or taking a mental health day. I've been heavily considering a call agency/work-at-home/or bussing job for some cushion money, but I feel if I don't spend improperly I wouldnt need to.
I done my expenses and I'll be left with about $125-160 of free money per month that could be saved, rolled over, or spent. I want to live frugally, so I can make that hundred and some dollars last for the rest of the month.
My plans are to start cooking food instead of frozen (I already have budget guides), and enjoy free entertainment (utilizing the library, going to more school events, going to community events etc). If anyone else has anything they'd like to add about the frugal lifestyle I haven't listed here then I'd very much appreciate it
My thread is all over the place, but I hope I've made sense.
TL;DR - I'm a university student with full-time credits and a 20 hr/week job moving in with my girlfriend and a best friend, first time having to be financially independent and responsible but with a psychiatric symptom of impulsive spending. I want to convert to a frugal lifestyle, and starting out by utilizing free entertainment available and cooking my own food. I would like some advice about impulsive spending and any information about other things people do to stay frugal.
Thanks!
February 05, 2017 at 02:28AM
