Money Smarts

I am blessed to have the family I am. They are conservative yet fun. They are wealthy but only because of what they have done, not from their past. My mom was extremely poor as a girl growing up. She was the only one to go to college in her family. College repayed her and my dad for going. They are very smart with their money and are now retired getting payed just as much as they did before. My dad is a retired engineer while my mom is a retired elementary teacher. My dad has also done well on stocks. The thing that saved them was how smart they were with there money. They didn't get married right away like most. They waited until they were settled and about 30 years old. The built there own house which they still live in. They bought a lot of land when it was cheaper so now when they sell it they make good profit. They have nice cars but they keep them for years before they trade. They don't try to show off like a lot of people by showing off their things. They buy there clothes from Wal Mart because they don't care about brand names. They might get a few things that are higher priced brands but that is only because they like the product. I think they're the reason I'm such a tightwad. I saw how there life ended up and I'm working like that. If I don't need new clothes then why buy it? What is so much better about those Abercrombie jeans and Ed Hardy shirts then those at Target. If you are not a germaphobe a good place to get good brands would be Plato's Closet but I understand some people can't do that because they feel nasty. I also buy my own groceries instead of going out. That was a big money saver. Also when I buy groceries, I look for the deals and buy the off brand. My parents never really got the off brand food but I think that's because quality of food is important but I'm not that picky. I do although only get organic fruits because those at Wal Mart go through a radiation process so I hear and they just taste better. Luckily, I have a discount at MaMa Jeans so I am able to get those fruits and get good healthy meals that will fill me up. The trick about health food is that it is pricey, no doubt about it, but the quality is better and keeps you full for longer. But if you look at my comforter, bookbag, hair products, desk-all Wal Mart. I don't buy anything really unless it's on sale because almost always it will go on sale and I'll be dissapointed with my self. I know I shouldn't stress about money since I have been such a good saver but what if the econmy falls? I want to have money to keep me on my feet. I can thank my parents for teaching me this lesson without them even knowing. They never taught me about money or told me how to spend my money. Money wasn't an issue to them, or so they showed. But through example they have taught me a very valuable lesson I hope to teach my kids when I have them. I won't pressure them but just hope they catch on.

Growing up

Growing up I was always dependent on my parents. Not going to lie, I was spoiled. I never worked for anything. Finally, senior year I got a job at the Waynesville Cinema 8 and I thought I was a big shot. Now that I work 30 hours a week at Mama Jeans, I now realize 8 hours wasn't much to proud of.
Since, I've moved to Springfield this summer I have learned so much about myself. I've never even stayed two nights away from my parents so you can imagine how different it was to me to live in a totally different city then my parents. I love it but at the same time I miss how easy life was. I had it made. I now do my own laundry, cook my own food, wash my own dishes, make my own money, spend it on things I need, rather then get random things I just wanted from my mom, and even pay my own rent. It was awesome the first week. New place and new adventures, I loved it. But then the next couple of weeks rolled around and reality hit.
I struggled working because I wasn't used to having a job.
The money was the biggest change from High School where I had it made.
I can remember one instance where all the girls wanted to go to Panera Bread and I looked and was being really responsible (so I thought) and got the cheapest deal. The only problem was that I didn't balance my check book every time I used my debit and i over draw. My $7 meal ended up costing me $37 because i overdrew my account. That occasion made me even more broke then i was before I went out to eat. After that situation, I realised I needed to take the 20 seconds out of my day to write in my checkbook when i made a transaction. It's a simple task that is worth thirty dollars. I made the best of that situation though. I grew from it and now make responsible choices and I feel good about it.
Now I love my job and love being independent. I would feel bad living any other way. I don't like being spoiled. I'm honestly the biggest tightwad ever but that's what I need to do as a college student. I think everyone needs to spread there wings and broaden their horizon sometime and I'm thankful I did.

Oh, How I Wish it were Summer

As I lay shivering on my bed, I realise how much I miss summer. A season of two months changes me almost every year. In those two months I'm able to relax, push my self, and find my self. Warm weather changes my mood. It makes me become optimistic and want to strive to do better.
The main thing i would like to improve on this summer is to approve my health. Of course, I mainly would like to lose about ten pounds so I don't look like a piece of cottage cheese laying out by the pool. I want to feel good about my self and want to be happy going to the pool in a bathing suit. But it's not just about the weight i want to improve on. I want to quit snacking past eight when i get off work. I want to be able to just have a glass of water and go to bed. I want to work out especially. I want to make myself do the 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day. I'm planning on joining the YMCA to work out because it's cheap and I'm able to go after work. I'm waiting till the summer to join because right now I am way too busy and don't have time in my busy scedule to go. The membership would be a waste of money. I can't wait to be able to go any time of the day. I'm excited to work hard at this.
I'm also excited about summer because I will be able to go home to Waynesville and spend time with family. Working 30+ hours and full time student doesn't give me much of a chance to see my family and close friends who still live there. I hate it but it's reality and I had to deal. I won't be able to see them all the time because I will still be working and taking classes but I will have more of a chance.
The thing I'm most excited about is my vacation I am taking with my mom. We are traveling to Cancun, which we have been planning for years. We are going to fly out of Springfield at the end of May and staying for one week. It will be a great learning experience and time for relaxation. I'm so ready. :)