Why You Should Try it…
No one gets exited about getting older, believe me. As far as I'm concerned anything after 35 is just a countdown to my death. However, growing up is inevitable. So get a head start with some helpful tips from yours truly… And by that I mean things I've observed from actual adults.
If you're like me, the idea of getting older and doing the things that you're supposed to do like car insurance, paying for mortgages and buying homes- that stuff you see people do on TV give you a stomach ulcer.. Me, I'm 23 and everything revolving around growing up is right outside my door. The time as come (even though I've left home once before) for me to do it for real.
So what can we do to adult in small doses? I have a few helpful suggestions- mostly because I've made countless mistakes… Literally, so many that I can't even count.
Let's Begin
Get a savings account
Just do it, Nike style. Take it one step further, every paycheck you get pick a specific amount to deposit into said savings account. Hold yourself accountable- EVERY MONTH- no exceptions. It's actually really helpful, because you're learning to control your spending, and you're creating a nice cushion if something DOES go wrong. You had to be off work for a week because you had the puke kind of flu? Well doesn't that suck! Guess what?! That nice little cushion you have right there in your savings? THAT’S WHAT ITS FOR HOMIE!
But only use what you need! A huge part of adulting is exercising control over your finances- and I'm the worst at that. I love shopping- I get an emotional high after I drop money, followed by deep sinking feeling of depression because I can't make rent. After a while you learn that it's okay to buy a pair of jeans every now and then, but not an outfit every paycheck, why? Because living on your own is cooler than living in your moms basement… Or in a box surrounded by clothes.
Budget
No but seriously, budget.
It's time consuming and annoying, but you need to know where your money is coming from and going. The minute you know what your pay stub is going to hold, write that amount at the top of a piece of notebook paper. Then, on each line below write what you have to pay for and subtract from the top number. I'm talking rent, groceries, electric, 2 weeks worth of gas, money aside to go out if need be, cell phone bill, and money for your savings account. You have to be careful, setting aside money is something tempting. It's so easy to drop a chunk of cash on makeup and clothes and then plan a way to pay for necessities, but APPARENTLY being an adult is making the conscious choice to save so you aren't scrambling at the end of the month. Because yikes.
Stop Partying When You Have to Work
Going out is fine. Grab a drink one or maybe two tops after work once in a while- save the going out and getting crazy for when you don't have to work the next day. The older you get the harder it is to bounce back from a long night out. Take it from a pro- I would be able to rage you guys- RAGE and then go to bed at 2 in the morning only to wake up and be at work by 11 fine and dandy. That was when I was 20. I am now 23 and have spent an ENTIRE morning, noon, and evening throwing up water and bile only to crawl into the fetal position and barely make it out alive the next morning. It was so bad. IT WAS SO BAD and IT HAPPENING MORE THAN ONCE OR TWICE. If you do figure it into your night and following work day to go out, drink water after every drink.
I’M TALKING EVERY DRINK: a glass of wine, two beers, EVEN A SHOT- just drink water after. Do it. Don't NOT do it. Water is fantastic- it's so good. Did you know that you are actually supposed to drink your entire body weight in ounces on a daily basis? That is supposed to be a NORMAL amount- so when you're boozing add that water in there so you can pee it out sooner, save yourself some hangover nastiness.
Read a BOOK- the Real Kind
It's so good for your brain. We sit in front of screens all day long: cash registers, computers, tablets, and phones. Reading blogs is a great way to pass the time and so is watching a lifetime supply of Netflix, but your brain is a muscle that you should DEFINITELY want to work out. Everyone loves having a “tight” bod, but even more important than that is a healthy functioning brain. Have you ever watched an old movie? I'm talking black and white right after they added sound- 20 bucks says that you need subtitles. Not you personally of course, just painting a picture. Everyone spoke with so much more intelligence and I bet it has something to do with the fact that back then they didn't just sit around their phones all day long. So give it a try- call it a reading challenge.
Week 1: turn your phone on silent (not vibrate, silent) and read for an hour a day
Week 2: turn your phone on silent and read for an hour and a half a day
Week 3: turn your phone on silent and read for two hours
Week 4: turn your phone off and read for an hour twice a day
Boom. You will have read HOPEFULLY about 3 books in the month, but hey you will have a strong brain and be able to think differently. HOW NEAT! You can do it, I believe in you!
Til next time lovelies
Jessica
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