September Check In
I’m going to be honest, I’ve been dreading writing this post. August was hands down the hardest month I’ve had this year and my spending was out of control trying to make myself feel better (news flash: it didn’t!)
But I just saw the amount of my first paycheck at my new job and I swear, I almost threw up. I don’t know why my body reacts the same way to good things as well as bad, but I literally cried. I did actually keep a log of every purchase I made in August, but I haven’t tried to tally it all up yet. And honestly, I don’t think I will. The amount I spent on alcohol alone would probably make me cry in a different way.
I woke up on September 1 and felt differently already. I had a rough month and I’m still feeling anxious and depressed, but I can make better choices one day, one minute at a time and that will get me through. I actually love my new job. It’s hard and stressful and takes up so much of my time, but it’s so rewarding. I don’t feel exhausted and annoyed every day by the time I leave work. I have so much more responsibility, but it has come with new trust and appreciation for me as a professional and I feel like I’m finally in a position that helps me grow and use all of my skills. It’s the first time I have felt challenged at work in years. And I’m good at it!
So in one of my better moments last month I wrote up a hopeful possible budget for September with an estimate of how much I’d be making, and I actually came up short of the real amount! So starting in September I’m *done* tracking my spending without a guide, and I’m going to actually try sticking to a budget.
I already told you about main goals: $4000 in savings by January (3 months emergency fund, currently at $2500) and my lowest credit card completely paid off ($1400) but here’s the plan for the rest of my budget to help keep me accountable.
$1200 Bills
$250 Food/Groceries
$50 Gas
$150 Spending money
The rest goes to savings and debt payoff!
Wish me luck and happy September!
PS if you ever hear me complain about my job in the future feel free to remind me of this moment, the first time I saw my new salaried paycheck.
