Growing up

I’ve been feeling more “Type A” lately then I normally do. I think it has a lot to do with my new job. Just having a certain amount of responsibility and being treated like an actual adult every day has awakened a desire in me to BE an actual adult.

I don’t mean that I’m going to throw out my snow globes and register republican or anything like that. I just want to start being a little more responsible, especially financially. I’ve never been very good at budgeting. The big obstacles standing between me and a balanced checkbook have historically been disorganization, laziness, fear and a deep-seated* belief that a new outfit can solve everything, including poverty. As a result I often have to take out short term loans from the Bank of Mom when rent time comes along. I don’t like doing that. It makes me feel like a brat. My mom is not rich. She should not have to bail me out like that on a regular basis.

So I decided to put an end to it. This past month I forced myself to face my money issues and put a stop to all this silliness. I created a rather strict budget for myself. I would have made it not so strict, but after abruptly quitting my last job and being unemployed for two weeks I was in a pretty dire situation. Well, guess what? I kicked ass! I actually had less money this month than I normally do, but thanks to my diligence I will not be begging my mom for a loan this month. I will be paying my rent on time and I’ll even have money left over for… you know, eating and stuff!

It’s a little embarrassing to admit just how bad I am with money, but I’m telling you all this because I’m really proud of myself. Month 2 of my budget will allow for a little bit of shopping and also introduce a whole new concept: saving money!

That’s Ms. Cameron to you!

* I think this is the first time I’ve written out the phrase “deep-seated”. Originally I had it as “deep-seeded” but I realized that I really didn’t know which it was so I did a little internet research. According to several sources (here, here and here) it is in fact “deep-seated”. “The expression has nothing to do with a feeling being planted deep within one, but instead refers to its being seated firmly within one’s breast…”