money matters

Accomplishment: I have not written a check or used my check card in just over a week. And I only have $8 in cash. I haven't even gotten gas and won't need to until Monday or Tuesday!! While I've probably done this before and not been paying attention, this is good for me because I have to wait until next Friday for my next paycheck. I didn't know if I would actually be able to do it and, granted, I'm only halfway done, but I'm proud that I at least have this much self control so I don't have to ask anyone for help. (Although one of my roommates was generous enough to pay for some groceries last weekend, but she owed me).

How did I get into this whole mess? My parent's offered some collateral to help me get back on my feet after I came back from my accident, which helped tremendously. After getting a couple of paychecks, I felt like I was doing good. I went to visit my sister, knowing a had a bit of spending money if I so chose and really wanted some new pants and shoes for work. No big deal. But that lead to a week of spending I shouldn't have been doing. I need to learn to balance my checkbook after every transaction and not just once a week. The next time I was balancing, I just wasn't expecting to be in the hole. I thought I might be close, but geez. Luckily, my utilities check wouldn't be picked until after the next paycheck I had. But the day I got my check, I had to leave the utils and rent to be picked up, leaving me with $36 to my name (oh yeah, and the $6 I have in my savings account). Just enough to buy me a tank of gas (not that it matters that I need two).

I was soooo mad at myself, but now I feel a little bit calmer. I haven't had to ask my parents for additional help, nor anybody else, save my roommate. I really need to create a budget for myself, in some ways, but I hate how they seem so restrictive. Maybe they're not, but that's just the way they come across to me. Anyway, if I can make it through one more week, hopefully I'll be okay and can truly get myself back on track and start saving money. This doesn't mean I'm not going to look for more ways to get more dinero for myself though.

Ugh...too dark of a subject for a gorgeous Friday afternoon (not that I can see any sunlight from my cube). But I do know that it's sunny and I'm listening to Lucky Boys Confusion, one of my favorite fun-loving and rebellious bands. Hooray for the weekend!!