Not because it isn't smart to consider expenses, but because I have spent so much of my life worrying about making ends meet, living in scarcity, that I was hoping I wouldn't have to feel it again. But as they say, old habits die hard and that poor kid who has worked all his life but hasn't built very much, is still there, waiting in the wings, ready to pounce at the earliest sign of scarcity.
I hate that feeling too.
All my working live (i.e 20 years) I've struggled make ends meet, struggled to earn more than the bare minimum. It includes nearly 3 years unemployed, and although I was living with parents and thus had shelter and food, it was still a miserable existence. The feelings of inadequacy and lack of purpose contributed to the low self worth I have now. In the following 12 years I've bounced from crap retail job to crap retail job, slowly and painfully improving my circumstances.
I started a new job 3 years ago (generic 9-5 office job), and its been an absolute blessing, not just because of the wage increase, but to able to have every weekend off, and no longer have to work evenings, or deal shifts at unsociable hours. But circumstances always change, and my partner has decided to go to university in a bid to get out of her retail career and into a job that is more fulfilling. She has given up a full time job to do this, and so I now pay for everything. This of course means I'm currently living paycheck to paycheck once again.
We are frugal, and sensible, and we rarely indulge on takeaways other unnecessary items, but just once I'd like to do something fun on a whim, and not need to double check my bank balance first, and work out how to make it work.
On the positive side (gotta try and find one somewhere!), your upbringing has at least prepared you in some way, so you already have an idea of how to manage it. Many other people who are used to a lavish, spend-free lifestyle will have a steep learning curve on working out how to live on a much tighter budget.
I wish you the best of luck in the coming months, and from what I can tell in what you write, you appear to be in a better place than many in terms of overcoming this setback.
Also don't forget to look after yourself (mental health wise), as I know its very easy to let negative thoughts overwhelm us and feel like things are spiraling out of control
Absolutely! Survival isn't enough.
It sucks, but hopefully the investment pays off for you both.
I have seen this happen many times first hand over the years. Friends and acquaintances who wait until there is nothing left, before looking to adjust.
Yeah, this is what I worry about a bit at the moment. I may "survive" but at what cost to my mind? Maybe I will be stronger for it though :)
Thanks for taking the time to comment and share!