2013-07-28, 09:04 PM
I've had this problem for so long except my life situation is the opposite. I don't have the worry of not having money even when i personally am broke because of my upbringing. I went to school with a little over 6k and spend more than half of it in a semester. (with no car to have gas expenses, and MS blocked from campus internet)
I think one of the biggest things for me was learning how to eat which i still haven't gotten down. My sleeping habits result in me staying up until late so often my only options are take out which is horribly expensive (doesn't really help that i love to smoke/drink before i eat). Once you cut out your worst habits expense wise though it's a bit easier to manage income.
Basically, write down every single expense and income when it happens. When you get into that habit it'll be natural for you to understand where money goes, where it comes from, and whether or not those impulse buys are actually ok or not.
Also, you don't have to feel guilty about spoiling yourself. You have money, and there's going to be more of it in the future as long as you don't stop working at it.
One more thing you probably already know...avoid credit cards as LONG AS POSSIBLE. They're probably necessary once you have a salary and need to pay off a space or a car, but until then you do not need a pseudo "get out of any charge no problem" card. I've used my debit card for everything with no troubles so far and you can too.
I think one of the biggest things for me was learning how to eat which i still haven't gotten down. My sleeping habits result in me staying up until late so often my only options are take out which is horribly expensive (doesn't really help that i love to smoke/drink before i eat). Once you cut out your worst habits expense wise though it's a bit easier to manage income.
Basically, write down every single expense and income when it happens. When you get into that habit it'll be natural for you to understand where money goes, where it comes from, and whether or not those impulse buys are actually ok or not.
Also, you don't have to feel guilty about spoiling yourself. You have money, and there's going to be more of it in the future as long as you don't stop working at it.
One more thing you probably already know...avoid credit cards as LONG AS POSSIBLE. They're probably necessary once you have a salary and need to pay off a space or a car, but until then you do not need a pseudo "get out of any charge no problem" card. I've used my debit card for everything with no troubles so far and you can too.