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May Recap/June Update

by Melanie
written by Melanie

It’s June 1st already! Wow, time flies. I’ve been blogging for six months and so much has changed—in a good way!

I am so glad May is over, for budgeting purposes at least. I started my new job and celebrated a bit too much. It was years of pent up depression and anger, just wanting to release itself in the form of celebration. I also had to spend money on getting a new driver’s license, take a class for my job (out of my own initiative), we bought a couch for $50 (that’s a steal!) and I took some friends out for dinner who helped me prepare for some of the technical stuff required for my job.

Thank you to those who responded to my What’s Next post! It will come in handy, because I am making my June budget this weekend. In January, I had only made my budget until May because I knew how much I’d be making and that I had a job until at least May. After that, it was anyone’s guess and I didn’t want to create a budget if there was no reason to have one (i.e. don’t spend ANY money besides necessities). Now I have a job, a better salary and I have 5 months of data to show my spending habits. I’m pretty good in all areas, except going out! Every month I try to be better and somehow I fail. It’s just so easy.  And you can sort of justify it because you need to eat. I am not going to beat myself up about it, but know that this is my Achilles’ heel and that I need to be super mindful of it.

I just got my first paycheck yesterday! Hooray! Unfortunately, because it came so late, it’s now going straight to rent. This was the lowest month for paying back my student loans in my blogging history. I’m down only $700 and at least $250 went to interest. Sigh. From here on out, I need to put down at least $1000 per month if not more.  Looking at those numbers makes me sad. I fantasize about all the trips I could be taking every month! Or the flush savings and retirement I could have!

Coulda, woulda, shoulda….

My student loans are now at $51,760.  I cannot wait to get under 50k! It will feel amazing.  Today and tomorrow I am doing some side hustling, which should be able to bring in several hundred dollars. Also, I have family in town this weekend and next! A lot of things going on here, but all of them good. I am so happy to say I only have good problems and I am so privileged!

How was May for you? Any exciting plans for June?

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April Update

by Melanie
written by Melanie

April was worse than I expected, given my challenges of no drinking or eating out. I had some budget busters in there like my friend’s birthday at a sushi restaurant, it was time to buy a 6 month round of contacts, and I also paid a special arts tax that was due. I also failed both of my challenges, in some way.

I think focusing on one thing at a time is better for me, rather than do two challenges at once. I ended up eating out about once a week, which is still better than my ‘normal’, but definitely not good if you are trying to do a 30 day challenge.

I slipped up one day on my drinking challenge. So I went 29 out of 30 days of April without drinking. I must say that my mood felt more stable, I was able to sleep better, my skin looked better and I had more energy. I realized in the 7 years I have been drinking, I’ve never taken a 30 day break. That’s a lot of work for your liver! Also, it made me really aware of my desires. When do I want to drink? And more importantly, why? I feel like here in Portland, the weather is so bad most of the time people just want to hole up in bars and drink. What else is there to do? On the other hand, when it’s nice out, it’s time to celebrate and do some drinking on the fabulous outdoor patios! Similarly, with my emotions, I drink when I am upset or stressed, or if I want to celebrate. In short, I realize there are many reasons why people drink and the key is to do it in moderation and for the right reasons.

Even though I had some budget busters, I still dropped, $1,100 on my student loans! I am so glad that I will be able to continue at this pace, now that I have a job lined up. In addition, I made $395 in side hustle income, which I am hoping to do more of in May.

Remaining student loan balance: $51,948.65

I cannot wait to get under 50k! I am so motivated now that I realized I’ve paid roughly 30k in the past 6 years and have this job.

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End of March Update

by Melanie
written by Melanie

I paid off my debt! I am debt free! All $53,000 left of my student loans are gone!

Ha, I wish. April Fools.  It’s nice motivation to actually practice writing that, though. March wasn’t as stellar as I expected. I ended up going out more than I should and enjoying life a lot. Not that that’s a bad thing, I’ve had a lot of fun, and have been working my tail off, but sad to say my going out budget was an epic failure.  It’s the only real area that I ever fail at, because let’s face it my luxuries are pretty lean. I never buy clothes or makeup, spend almost nothing on transportation and entertainment and it’s just so easy to justify a meal or drink out. This is especially true when you’ve worked 26 days in a row without a break!

I’m glad to report for my sanity that this weekend I slept in, cleaned, wrote, went for a bike ride, watched movies at home and overall just reveled in being productively lazy.

Now, it’s April 1st and I am motivated to get back to kicking ass. I have to admit, I am so inspired by Budget and the Beach’s challenge to not drink or go out to eat for 30 days.  I really want to join in, as I know this is my only problem area. To be honest, I am even scared to write it though, because I feel like I am setting myself up for failure. I don’t have a problem with alcohol or food, but I absolutely love a nice cocktail or meal.  Also, I have several birthdays coming up and it just takes one long day at work and being unprepared with lunch for me to go out. It’s so easy to fail! I guess that means I just need to work harder. I am going to give it a try.

Now, to the awesome fascinating numbers:

Job income: $1,297

Side hustle income: $423

Debt Paid off in March: $1,150

I spent about $800 total on rent, groceries, laundry and going out more than I’d like. As you can see, with those numbers, it’s a pretty tight ship! Not much room for leeway, unless I am willing to further deplete my savings, which I am not. I am happy that I was able to pay off $1,150 in debt, but let’s be real; it’s not as impressive as my valiant efforts of throwing about 2k per month in January and February.  However, my contract is ending in 5 weeks and I am getting more nervous and want to prepare myself and continue to hustle.  I have two more interviews this week, which is a good sign! The previous position I interviewed for, I haven’t heard a peep from, so I am just writing that one off. Also, I am still waiting on $450 in checks from side hustles.

Hopefully April will be a better month for income, debt payoff and hopefully job success! Cheers to that….um, actually, I am not drinking, so cheerio! lifts up pinky and drinks tea

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