Us twenty-somethings catch a lot of slack for doing things wrong, out of order, bass-ackwards. And they try to make us feel guilty for it.
When I bought a home at the age of 23 I garnered all sorts of praise for "having my shit together".
I'll let you in on a little secret. My shit couldn't be farther apart. Seriously. It's scattered aimlessly.
I think I put maybe a couple thousand down on my house. Did I put 20% down like everyone says you're supposed to save up and do? Hell to the no.
Did I meticulously create an Excel budget with what my monthly income versus expenditures would be? Meh.
I've never made a budget in my life, save for that one assignment in Econ class senior year of high school in which I pretty much lied and said I ate WAY less food than I really do just to compensate for the "extra" category I planned on spending on clothes.
I've always lived by the "you can't take it with you when you go" philosophy. So I lead a lifestyle that makes me happy.
I bought the 'car of my dreams' my first year out of college, when I was about $500 away from paying off the existing car I owned. Hello 30k in debt. Guess what? I'm now less than a year from paying her off.
They teach you to never rely on plastic. Guess what? I've got two credit cards. For stores. (gasp) Do you know why? Because Target offers you 5% off with every purchase, and because TJ Maxx gives you coupons (and lord knows my entire wardrobe basically hails from that store).
Guess what else. I put a LOT of daily expenses - ie gas, food, other shopping - on that TJ Maxx card, just so I can get those points. And guess what else.... I pay both of those credit cards off every month, they've never held a balance and I've never once paid a penny of interest on them.
I have had a savings account since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I am always putting money into it. I take money out too. When I have to buy $400 license plates, or a $1000 vacation. Does it have the "recommended six month cushion to live" nope. No it does not. And I'm ok with that.
I've had a 401k since I started my 'big girl job' nearly 6 years ago. I've had multiple CD's throughout my life as well. Believe me, I can save just as well as I can spend!
So maybe my views on money truly are bass-ackwards, but they work for me. And why does any one else need to tell us how we "should be" handling our money?!
Oh, and I once heard you weren't supposed to discuss money. So forget you read any of this, and just take away the fact that you shouldn't ever let any one make you feel guilty for what you do with your paycheck. That's all.
8 comments:
A to the Men
you know what really pisses me off about money? When people THINK they KNOW how much money you actually have. "well you guys own farm land, you have your own business, you can write everything off" and blah blah blah. REALLY!? I just want to tell them to keep their mouths shut! They have no idea! to me money is just that, money. No ones life should revolve around it OR let it control them.
Great post :)
Awesome post girlfriend! I hate when people get their panties in a bunch about someone else's money. Do your thang sista!
I'd comment, but I forgot I read any of this.
Siiiiiiike. I understand wholeheartedly. Outside of the eleventy billion I owe Uncle Sam for my education (which they may come breaking down my door for now that the country has gone to shit), I don't have any debt. And I do the same thing with cards. I have one that I only put gas on because it gives 3% cash back on gas.
I am like the queen of doing everything backwards.. really. It's always nice to know there are people your age out there that don't have it all together either.. Looks can be deceiving!
So glad I'm not alone. And I'm happy that they day I decide to catch up on your blog, this was the first post I read :)
Thanks for sharing, what works, works!
I hate that it's "rude" to discuss money because I think it's so important to be honest about that kind of stuff. Most of my money "education" has come from asking people how they do things. Some things work for me and some don't.
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