Harsh Realities

After trying to catch up last night on several of my favorite blogs, I came across the answers to several of my questions in my last post. One thing that hit home was the necessity to look at the amount of income I have and the amount that has gone out. So last night I sat down with my checkbook, online banking, calculator, and a clean Word document and mapped out where my trackable money has gone over the last 3 months. Even with being as careful as I am, it was astonishing to see how much money I have to shell out each month in regards to just the basic essentials. By essentials I am including: rent, electricity, internet, phone, car payment, gas, and food. For me, internet makes life a whole lot easier, gas is minimal since I do not drive much, and the car payment while not necessarily essential will be worthwhile once it's officially paid off. These areas are areas that I feel are necessary for me to continue to pay.

Previous to doing all of this, I knew that my basic essentials were about $250 more than what I have coming in currently from student loans. However I had a cushion from my summer job and returned taxes, so until this point it has been fine. Looking forward to the coming year, I realize that "fine" will no longer do as I am going to be above my means and several things will incur increased expenses for the coming year. 1) As of now, I have received slightly less scholarships than I did last year (although I'm still praying more will come through). 2) Each year tuition and fees increase. 3) Due to my practicum, I will have to drive more than last year increasing transportation expenses. And 4) in order to finish both masters in only one more year, I will have to overload a few terms-additionally driving up tuition costs.

Additionally, I realized that even with the minimal social participation that I do each month, I am still spending between $100-200 on various non-essentials. Add onto that the fact that each month I had non-expected expenses ranging from $200-500 based on additional school costs, loan interest on previous school loans, and the car registration ordeal. And with all that combined you can see how I am WAY over budget. Looking at the year ahead, I can't even afford to pay my essentials, let alone the occasional non-essential-I'm-still-somewhat-a-member-of-society, or the always present non-expected expenses.

So where can I make a difference?
1) I could sell my car, but that's not an option I want to take as even with the little I do use it, if I had to pay public transportation and buy into a monthly Flex car option for the distance driving I do, I would actually be more money out. I actually have a fairly cheap car payment and a car that gets pretty good mpg.

2) I can move, which I hate to do as I have not lived continually in the same location for over a year in the last 8 years but this is the most accesible option. I have started looking on craigslist again to see what exists with easy freeway and downtown access. It's just hard via craigslist to know what you might be getting into and I would then be moving yet again next summer. However a change in living situation would a) grant me access to a yard and b) decrease my essential expenses by about $200-300 each month.

3) I can get a part-time job, which is necessary. However I'm learning how much more difficult it is to do this in a large city with so many other educated, young professionals. I'm either too qualified, someone else is already in mind, not likely to stay in the job, or don't have the correct amount of time. I miss small campuses and small towns. The most likely thing is to try to sub on the days I'll have free.

So currently this is where I find myself. Exploring options for ways to decrease expenses while still being able to maintain my sanity for the coming year and full of prayer and hope that the correct doors will open.