I worked over the summer because I knew I needed money to carry me through this year. With an “intern” status, my job is to learn. Unfortunately, that means I pay tuition, rather than getting paid.

I haven’t been without a job since the first semester of my sophomore year. The concept of putting dents in my bank account—money that won’t be quickly replaced—is taking some adjustment. Before any unnecessary purchase I keep thinking “budget, budget, budget!” I quickly realize what I need/don’t need, and which online shopping sites I should probably have blocked from my browser.

Since I’ll be “working” 40+ hours per week, and focusing on homework, and trying to sleep, I know there won’t be a lot of time for shopping per se. But there has been a huge change of scenery. Now living between two huge cities, as opposed to the exact center of a huge state (surrounded by hills, trees, deer…..etc.), is giving me too much reason to explore. Taking a break on a weekend could easily mean a 20-minute drive to a downtown shopping and eating haven. But that also translates to a downtown hole in my account. Ehhhh.

So, attempting to be more grown-up and responsible about spending, I did something drastic. I made a budget for myself.

With no idea how to go about this, I’m just hoping it’s even a little bit accurate. I have these categories: groceries, shopping, eating out, drinks, toiletries, travel, and “extra.” I don’t know what the “extra” means, but I figure something else needs to be there. The logic being that I’ll quickly find out what those “extra” things I’m buying are, so I can stop buying them.

I did my budgeting in Excel, because I looove Excel. It allows me to be creative, while also nurturing my obsessive organizational tendencies.  I have every month worked out, and all the necessary cells programmed to start adding things up. It’s a little scary to watch those numbers climb every time you type something in. However, all categories are color-coded and bordered. Yes, I took the time to do that. Because if I have to work with a budget, it might as well be something I like to look at… even if I don’t like what it’s telling me.

There will be plenty of things I buy that I don’t need, but my new buddy will help me realize where I can give and take, and where certain things will have to be compromised. It’s another learning process, and I’m workin’ with it.

Posted by Mary Ellen Nunes at 09/08/2008 11:35:45 AM |