I'm currently 23 years old, recently graduated from college, and living with my parents. It's tough to be done with school and not find a "real" job right away. Don't get me wrong, I love my retail management job, but I don't make near enough for all the time I put in and how many hours I work. Living with my parents these last few months has left me with nothing but work, time, and no financial responsibilities. It's been wonderful to be bill-free and able to spend my money on whatever I wanted. Especially because I've been a shopaholic since I was able to pick out my own clothes. My mother, bless her heart, is a wonderful woman who only ever wanted to make me happy. However, I have no impulse control and I think that can at least PARTLY be attributed to the many shopping trips she and I have taken since I was a little girl where I have rarely ever heard "no."
Now, as I said I've had little to no responsibilities towards which my hard-earned money had to go. And have I spent this time saving up my money? Of course not! Now I find myself a few months away from moving into my first apartment that I will be paying for completely on my own. Yes, I will have a roommate who will be sharing the bills, but I will be paying my half of the rent, utilities, groceries, etc. Along those same lines, I will be taking my phone bill, car insurance, etc. away from my parents so the burden will all be on me. I have been beyond blessed with parents who not only have the means, but the desire to support me as I have gone through school. I have always held a job, but the money I earned was meant for "play" or extra expenses that weren't necessary, but more a choice on my part. I know my parents would continue to pay my way until I have a "real" job as a teacher, but I am feeling as though it is past time for me to be fully responsible for myself.
I have a few months, it will be April or May before my roomie-to-be and I can move into our new place, but I've come to the realization that I need to start saving and putting money aside for the big move now. I have some credit card debt to pay off, and from putting together a budget I've become aware of just how tight it's going to be for me with all my bills, rent, and other responsibilities. This being said, I need to be on spending hiatus so as much of my money as possible can go towards paying of my credit card and setting money aside in preparation for my move in a few months. This is going to be incredibly hard. I love spending, especially on Lilly Pulitzer. I'm going to need help!
My hope is that through this blog and my Lilly-loving friends, I can live vicariously through y'alls purchases and moral support. I want and need to be independent, and I want to be successful at it. My parents have made it clear- once I move out, I'm on my own. I don't want to have to come back home because I "couldn't make it." I know there are plenty of others who live on a tight budget on less money than I make, so I know I can do this! Help me stay on track, y'all!
xx Emily Ann
