Livin' Life on a Budget

Hello lovelies!  So there is a different type of post from me on the blog today.  One where I go more into my real world and share a little more with you. Here it goes...

 Everyone automatically assumes when you work a lot and you do things {like travel, go to concerts, etc.} that you have money, well for me that's not the case.  I've been judged a lot in previous posts for working so much, traveling to see Jason, and for having a wish list with designer names on it.  I tried to ignore the negative, judgmental comments because it is my life and I choose how I live it, but now it's time to set the record straight and offer some tips on how I do afford to do the things I do because the truth is ...  

I'm BROKE!

{Thank you, student loans!}

Often at times,  I pay my bills and don't have any money left over to live on.   Now don't get me wrong, teachers in NY do get paid well.  But my situation is a little bit different.  I've been let go due to the economy three times {most likely soon-to-be four} in the last three years and when I was re-hired back in September,  lots of changes were made like not getting paid when school is closed {vacations, summer break, etc.} and no health insurance.  All big things cut!  So the arm and a leg $1600/month I pay for my student loans and health insurance is just barely covered by my salary and I'm left to still pay for my car, car insurance, cell phone, credit cards, food, etc.  Enter why I have to work other jobs and still live at home!  {Now I'm just giving some background so you have a little bit more understanding of the situation.}

So you're probably wondering how I have the things I have and how I afford to do the things I do.

Well for one, I am very on top of my spending and my bills always come first.  I would never buy anything I know I CANNOT afford.  

And truth is I never really go shopping.  I have not been to the mall in over a year and a half.  Can you believe it?!  Not even at Christmastime.  When I do go shopping,  it's mainly at Target or I shop on-line at Forever 21 and Amazon.  I am a big bargain shopper and do have a strict limit on my spending.  {Promo codes are my best friend too!  When you shop on-line, check retailmenot.com for promo codes!  Every little bit helps right! ;)}

  In January,  I'll admit ... I went a little crazy with my spending.  {Y'all probably remember from my post -- I bought an iPhone, a plane ticket, tickets to CMA Fest, some new clothes for Nashville, a Kate Spade wallet, and most recently, a NOOK.}  I don't regret any of those purchases because I've been working so hard and have often deprived myself of things I want so it was time to just reward myself.  And obviously that splurge won't happen again anytime soon!

To make some extra money to pay for all of those goodies,  I sold three of my old cell phones {which covered the cost of my iPhone and previous contract cancellation fee -- so if you have OLD phones or electronics -- SELL THEM for $$ at nextworth.com or gazelle.com} and I also sold old gold jewelry and traded in gift cards for cash.    All are excellent ways to make extra money!   To save some money,  I've stopped eating out and when I go out with friends, I rarely get an alcoholic beverage, if I do, it's just one.  {$10 for ONE drink, no thank you!}  Seriously, you'll be amazed with how much money you save by eating and drinking at home!  

As far as the traveling to see Jason,  my mom and I do plan our trips on a budget.  We split all of our trip costs down the middle, except on a few occasions {Chicago, Nashville} where the tickets/trips were birthday/holiday gifts.  We often drive to shows to save money, but there are other times where we fly.  When we fly, we do our research and always fly the airline with the cheapest fares {usually Southwest}.  We also have Rapid Rewards with Southwest and our Georgia flights were actually free!  Thank you, RR points!   {More on the Georgia trip soon.}   We also stay in the most reasonably prices hotels.  We don't spend a lot on a room because we don't really spend a lot of time it in!   Typically, the hotel room costs are no more than $75-100/night.  

{Can you believe we stayed here?!  What an experience!}

I think the key things to planning an affordable trip is planning and saving/setting a budget!  

The minute I decided to go to CMA Fest this year, I immediately thought out all of the financials.  Part of me knew it was going to rough to swing it in my budget but I've worked it out to find a way so it works.  You only live once right?!   So what I've done is balanced it all out so I don't pay for everything all at one time.  

When I decided to go,  I bought the plane ticket.  Once that was paid off,  I bought my show tickets.  And every week since January,  I have put away $35/week for the trip.

$35 x 22 weeks = $770

Hotel is $350 for my part, which leaves me $420 about $100/day.  Not bad, right?  I don't even think I'll need that much a day!

So anyway, that's my story and how I afford everything I have and everything I do!  I love my jobs and I'm happy with everything I have.  Do I sometimes wish it easier and not stressful? Yes, of course!  But I know one day when I look back on it all,  I will be proud to have paid for my undergraduate and graduate school education by myself,  I will be proud that I stuck it out through all the challenges I faced to keep a job that I love and adore,  and I will be proud that despite it all not being easy, that I've still managed to be happy and live my life to the fullest!

And my real point of it all is ... don't judge people {in any situation}!  You don't know what their story is or what their life is like!

Have a great day, lovelies!  xo