My Money’s Been Acting Funny
Tags: Savings Plan, Travel, Money, Saving Money, Traveling

​”I never abused you. Did I? Did I abuse you money? Did I get used to you hanging around

And now you’re giving me a taste to what it feels like to live without you? People still think we’re tight, I mean they still ask about you, I don’t like them all in my business so I just reply,“You know money and I aren’t as close as we used to be.”

(Click here to watch “Money” performed by Poetri)

Gone are the days when our parents would supply us with allowances, I mean, I didn’t grow up with them, but quite a few of my friends did. To be honest, it was rather difficult for me to get free bucks in my household; special circumstances only. I didn’t like it, I felt limited and so I knew that as soon as I was legally able to work, I would put my a** to work!

2009. Age 14. I get my working papers and land a job watching young kids at a community daycare center, “here come the big bucks!” I thought. I Played myself. I was still not earning as much as I’d hoped for and still not getting or doing what I wanted but what can you do at such a young age? Grin & Bear it.

​Since 2009, I’ve worked every chance I could, every summer until college, odd gigs I found on craigslist during the school months — like that one time I was paid to get my haircut at a beauty show and ended up with poorly cut forehead bangs, I have a round face people, that hair style was not, and will never be, for me (my hair hasn’t been the same since). Sold some stuff at buffalo exchange, and saved every penny I earned.

College 2013, I land a job working on campus at the library’s front desk checking books in and out and completing assignments on my down time. Saving most, if not all sometimes, of what I earned throughout the 3 years I worked there. Paid internships in the summer. Saving most, if not all of what I earned. I never wanted to be without a cent to my name, and debt has always made me really nervous, so I never liked to keep it around for too long.

I’m sure by now you’ve noticed a pattern going. Saving, saving, saving.

It sucks, you’ve worked hard for that money, it’s only fair that you should be able to spend it any way you please, right? Buy yourself those new shoes that everyone is talking about, go out for the 6th time this week and splurge on drinks and food, shit, you deserve it, right? I’m sure you do, but spending more than you have, or spending at a higher rate than it takes you to earn that money, isn’t the most strategic way to go about things. You have to weigh what you value most because none of us, well, maybe some of us, but most of us don’t have the financial stability to treat ourselves all. the. time just yet. Our time will come but only if you’re smart about where and how you spend your money. You worked hard on your relationship with money, you worked for it so it’s only right that you and money get to enjoy each others company for as long as possible. And that’s not to say that you and money need to take a break, I’m just suggesting that you guys take it slow and talk about things rather than engage in spur of the moment, impulsive activities. You guys need boundaries, and maybe some counseling. There’s no shame in that.

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Smooth Talking Money Into Taking You On A New Trip Is Not An Easy Task.

It starts with, (1) Identifying how much money is willing to do for you. Does money want to make you really happy, content, or just plain sad? In any case, you need to get a solid understanding of what your total fixed expenses are (car insurance payments, cell phone bills, rent, health insurance payments, transportation expenses, etc.) that money needs to take care of first, then you look at your savings, which you should also look at as a fixed expense. How much do you usually contribute and what’s the minimum that you MUST contribute to it every month? I personally try to contribute, at minimum, half or a little more of what I earn on every paycheck.

You may be wondering, how the hell do you find the money to then travel, go out, buy yourself things, and pay your bills. Well friends, if you’re not a fan of planning you may want to reconsider it and start looking at it as your very own certified, dedicated relationship counselor.

Planning will save your relationship with money.

Plan your trips ahead of time, I’m talking months ahead because flights, hotels, etc. are always cheaper the further out they are booked. (2) Save money some pain, use websites like Groupon, Livingsocial, or even Ebates to save some extra cash because why pay full price? (3) Sit down with money and really talk about where the relationship is going, talk budgeting. I know….. I KNOW… compromising is hard but it has to be done, you can’t always get what you want. It spoils you and can make you lazy. Set a budget for your entire trip (i.e., I’m only going to spend $1,000 on this entire trip) and actually stick to it.

​The two C’s of successful relationships (Compromise & Commitment) will help your relationship with money thrive.