Thanksgiving went well, I think. My mom called yesterday morning wanting to know if Zac thought my family was nuts. They liked him. I brought not one, but two dishes to dinner, which my old math methods TA, Laura, was very impressed with when we discussed Thanksgiving on Friday when she came to the library. TJ and Essie started their own trumpet and bass band.
Yesterday was full of work, Thanksgiving Part 2, and recovering from work. I finally got going on my reservation pages, which I'd been putting off all semester. There's something strangely satisfying about being in charge of something so huge and overwhelming. Mostly because it's achievable and it's mine. It was nice to work with Daniela again. The day, though not busy with patrons, went by incredibly fast and left me exhausted.
Mario asked me on Thanksgiving if I'd buy him an assortment of games, movies and cds for Christmas. I got annoyed and yelled, "I'm not made of money, Mario." He didn't get it-- I have a job, so why can't I spend a few hundred dollars on stuff for him? Heh. I didn't realize until today just how poor I really am. I got notice a few days ago that my credit card statement was ready to view and pay online, but put it off until today. Holy shit. Birthday parties and oil changes where you do anything more than have your oil changed are expensive. Then I charged everything that my grandparents are getting for the kids for Christmas that I bought (as soon as I put that check in the bank, that'll be okay). Everything else was pretty normal and not bad. But yikes.
I panicked for a moment, realizing that after I pay my rent and bills now that I will barely have enough for groceries for the month. What happened? Oh yeah, it's hard to live on $400 a month. That and the money my parents give me towards rent covers my rent, gas and electric bills, internet (which I really should call about-- $60 a month is robbery) and leaves me with enough for groceries. The money I made this summer working full time and then some is depleted.
At this point, I needed to get out of my apartment, as my sitting around would not lend itself to thinking productively about the matter. So I went for a lovely two hour walk-- I think the sunlight and brisk weather was good for me. And I decided, I realized, that I'm going to be fine. No matter what. I've got money stuffed away in my Roth IRA, which isn't exactly accessible, but is still mine. I signed up for about 25 hours of work at Job #3, as liasoning yields me about $10 an hour. I can pick up more hours in tech services, as well, as I've been neglecting it and doing the bare minimum. There are plenty of books to process, book covers to cut and always journals to perfect. With practicum ending next week, I'll have more free time between classes again, and this will work well for my doing extra work.
I don't exactly live beyond my means, and I don't think I'm going to cut out occasional entertainment expenses, as they really weren't a significant part of my bill. The occasional bowling trip, movie or dinner out won't pull me under. It's those damn birthday parties that'll get me. I can make it until graduation, I realized on my walk, and I'll be a better person because of it. I don't want for anything, and honestly, aside from groceries, I could go the next several months not spending any money other than that and be a-okay. Walks are free. And mind-clearing.
Knowing how to live on so little money is a good skill to have. When I (hopefully) have a real job in less than a year, I'll feel super rich-- $30,000 is going to feel like a fortune. I want to make a budget. I want to keep saving for retirement.
So I was going to buy hair dye and Christmas lights today, but I passed. Instead I looked up how to fold paper snowflakes, failed at making one and read the book I was supposed to read for social studies instead. And I somehow feel great. I went to the gym, ate some delicious leftovers and played some Scrabulous. I want for nothing; I've got everything I could ever wish for in life.
4 comments:
dawnerrr... ok i noticed that this blog is definitely brown - my monitor was just really poorly calibrated. Seeee? perfect brown color for monitor testing.
Pooornesss! Yeah I loved last winter when I had about $60 in the bank. That was a hoot. Lots of rice eating occurred. Lots o money is still owed, but since I'm doing okay now, I've lightened up again I guess..
Birthday parties... for little kids I hope? People our age don't need presents! You need to eat! And bowl. Do you need to take in a roommate or something?
Dawn, I think you've SIMPLIFIED :)
dawn,
i absolutely love the image of you cutting out paper snowflakes. it fills me with gladness and hopes for the winter season.
downsizing and simplifying are my favorite things. i think you are on the right track. it's nice to read your reflections.
Rin, lightening up is about the best thing you could do for yourself (and I mean that not in a mean way at all-- you're much happier when you're not stressed!). I'll be quite alright this winter, just not extravagant. :) And I think that taking in a roommate is about the last thing I'd do; there are very few people that I'd live well with and my apartment's not large enough to have someone else's stuff in here with my own. :P I'd ask my parents for a loan first.
Amanda! I love paper snowflakes. I don't know what it is about them, but they seem so happy. Zac helped me cut some as well. I'll have to take a picture when I've got more.
Oh and yes, it was a kid's birthday party. It was my birthday gift to Essence.
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