So buying records is out of the question unless I win the lottery or something. I'm already waaaaaay over my planned budget, as per usual. The main things I need before the end of the year would be some new skincare products, makeup, a dress for a wedding in October, and enough set aside to buy concert tickets if I manage to get a car before said concert that happens in Milwaukee mid-November. So, not unreasonable. After that, my budget gets pretty tight.
I already give myself $100 per week for food. That's just for me. Somehow I go over that almost every month sometimes by almost double. HOW. I barely get takeout and I almost never go out to eat. I think a lot of it has to do with the misc stuff that gets thrown in there and the fact that I can't buy in bulk since I don't have a car. On the weekends I go to my hometown, I spend $12 for the train tickets, I usually get starbucks for breakfast, something for lunch, then I go out for coffee and usually food, then repeat the next day. Then when my boyfriend comes up to visit me, we usually want to go out somewhere. So the weekends are what kill me. Having a car will help that somewhat, and I just need to be more mindful.
If I add in car expenses, I'm leaving myself with $100 to throw into savings every month, and $250 extra for whatever. For someone that lives alone and supports herself 100%, I think that's fine. I guarantee I'm going to overspend on food and dip into that $250, but otherwise it *should* be for clothes. Speaking of which, I absolutely hate fashion right now and I've just been wearing jeans and a plain t-shirt every day. Having a car will allow me to go to resale shops like Plato's Closet and outlet stores like Nordstrom Rack, etc. so I can save money there too.
This is essentially just a long rambly post to myself to remind me I'm on the right track, and I'm getting there. I test drove the Mazda 3, and that's definitely what I'll be getting.
