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A Mood About Money
5 months ago
I am fortunate to be entering my twenty-third week of employment working part-time in the produce department of a local supermarket. My first day was back in November of 2024. This is my primary source of income, and I’m proud to say it’s the longest I’ve ever had a job that college didn’t help me find.
Given how long I’ve been working there, the paychecks accumulate overtime to an amount far larger than my hourly pay, and I’ve been keeping track of how much money I’ve made in total. Yet if you were to see my bank accounts, they most definitely do not reflect my total earnings. Currently, none even reach four digits. It often left me thinking, “Where did all my hard-earned money go!?”
That’s when I remember the various needs I must attend to:
1. Grocery shopping and gas.
Obviously, I need to buy food so I can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in between and dessert at the end. And I need to buy gas so I can transport myself to and from work. Shopping trips usually go over $100, and refilling my car’s tank takes between $40-50. This is where a credit card comes in, as I use it at both the supermarket and the gas station. It’s the only thing I use my credit card for, so my debit is spared. That being said, credit is still a finite limit, so I’ll make the occasional credit card payment to replenish some of those funds. It’s usually $200-250. But I’ve been known to make monster payments of $500 if I have enough. That’s also on top of my card’s monthly autopay function.
2. Student loan payments.
I make monthly $100 payments toward my student loans. Sometimes, I’ll have enough left to pay a larger amount like $200. The goal is to pay off all my student loans as quickly yet sustainably as possible, and I have consistently committed to my monthly $100 payments since my grace period ended in September.
3. Car payments.
Gas aside, money funds my car’s maintenance. A fixed brake light and oil change $170 altogether. The very next week, a complete tire replacement cost $900 on its own! Even with my mother's monetary contribution and the dealership’s “three tires, get your fourth one free!” deal, that was still a big chunk of my own money. At least I should be good for a while.
4. Putting bills in my wallet.
I will occasionally withdraw $100 from my savings account to put some dollar bills in my wallet. One of my biggest takeaways from Khan Academy’s financial literacy course was the difference between paying with a card versus cash, so I’ve been keeping bills in my wallet to use for smaller purchases - anything underneath $25. No sense using the card for, like, a $3 purchase, right? But I’ve withdrawn at least $1,200 worth of savings at this point.
5. Laundromat.
Sad news: our dryer died, so I’ve been using the local laundromat for the first time this year. That’s where a bunch of dollars get converted into quarters to buy dryer sheets and run the dryer units. It is a lot, and it’s kind of annoying that what was once a lifelong task done at zero cost now takes at least $1.25 per visit! That really adds up over time in a way you don’t expect! I can hardly wait to have a new laundry room furnished at the house.
6. Gym membership.
In March, I bought a gym membership that allows me to use the facilities for three months. This is perfect because this June marks a summer of service with the Maine Conservation Corps. That is $207 paid upfront one time for three months. It’ll get me in shape for this summer, but that’s still a moderately large amount.
7. Eating out and miscellaneous shopping.
Admittedly, these are the only ‘wants’ I can think of. I don’t eat out all the time, though, only when I’m in the weekly mood to treat myself. That could be either at a restaurant near me or a convenient DoorDash delivery. Shopping wise, I’ve shopped at bakeries, thrift stores, and I’ve had a dashcam ordered from Amazon. I’m trying to practice moderation so that I’m not spending too much.
Recognizing where all that money goes… actually makes me start to feel better about comparing my bank account to my total income. Everything starts to add up. The money isn’t being spent on spur-of-the-moment shopping wants but rather on stuff that is important to me, so I know where my money is going. It’s been a humbling experience, earning money while balancing all these needs for the first time. It’s a step up from constantly accompanying my parents on their shopping trips and requesting rides with them everywhere.
It’s also made me realize saving up for my future goals might take longer than I initially thought. The big goal is moving out and relocating elsewhere. It’s a house of five people - including me - and I am very much looking forward to living on my own. Even the “three times the rent” rule - another Khan Academy takeaway - seems daunting to follow. That could be up to $3,000 not counting other costs like electricity and Wi-Fi! Absurd, but I’m sure it will be so worth it. It’ll just… take a while. Alas, I’m only young, so there ought to be plenty of time to get myself to where I want to be with a more major-relevant job and a place of my own.
I suppose it’s all just part of being an adult. XD
Given how long I’ve been working there, the paychecks accumulate overtime to an amount far larger than my hourly pay, and I’ve been keeping track of how much money I’ve made in total. Yet if you were to see my bank accounts, they most definitely do not reflect my total earnings. Currently, none even reach four digits. It often left me thinking, “Where did all my hard-earned money go!?”
That’s when I remember the various needs I must attend to:
1. Grocery shopping and gas.
Obviously, I need to buy food so I can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in between and dessert at the end. And I need to buy gas so I can transport myself to and from work. Shopping trips usually go over $100, and refilling my car’s tank takes between $40-50. This is where a credit card comes in, as I use it at both the supermarket and the gas station. It’s the only thing I use my credit card for, so my debit is spared. That being said, credit is still a finite limit, so I’ll make the occasional credit card payment to replenish some of those funds. It’s usually $200-250. But I’ve been known to make monster payments of $500 if I have enough. That’s also on top of my card’s monthly autopay function.
2. Student loan payments.
I make monthly $100 payments toward my student loans. Sometimes, I’ll have enough left to pay a larger amount like $200. The goal is to pay off all my student loans as quickly yet sustainably as possible, and I have consistently committed to my monthly $100 payments since my grace period ended in September.
3. Car payments.
Gas aside, money funds my car’s maintenance. A fixed brake light and oil change $170 altogether. The very next week, a complete tire replacement cost $900 on its own! Even with my mother's monetary contribution and the dealership’s “three tires, get your fourth one free!” deal, that was still a big chunk of my own money. At least I should be good for a while.
4. Putting bills in my wallet.
I will occasionally withdraw $100 from my savings account to put some dollar bills in my wallet. One of my biggest takeaways from Khan Academy’s financial literacy course was the difference between paying with a card versus cash, so I’ve been keeping bills in my wallet to use for smaller purchases - anything underneath $25. No sense using the card for, like, a $3 purchase, right? But I’ve withdrawn at least $1,200 worth of savings at this point.
5. Laundromat.
Sad news: our dryer died, so I’ve been using the local laundromat for the first time this year. That’s where a bunch of dollars get converted into quarters to buy dryer sheets and run the dryer units. It is a lot, and it’s kind of annoying that what was once a lifelong task done at zero cost now takes at least $1.25 per visit! That really adds up over time in a way you don’t expect! I can hardly wait to have a new laundry room furnished at the house.
6. Gym membership.
In March, I bought a gym membership that allows me to use the facilities for three months. This is perfect because this June marks a summer of service with the Maine Conservation Corps. That is $207 paid upfront one time for three months. It’ll get me in shape for this summer, but that’s still a moderately large amount.
7. Eating out and miscellaneous shopping.
Admittedly, these are the only ‘wants’ I can think of. I don’t eat out all the time, though, only when I’m in the weekly mood to treat myself. That could be either at a restaurant near me or a convenient DoorDash delivery. Shopping wise, I’ve shopped at bakeries, thrift stores, and I’ve had a dashcam ordered from Amazon. I’m trying to practice moderation so that I’m not spending too much.
Recognizing where all that money goes… actually makes me start to feel better about comparing my bank account to my total income. Everything starts to add up. The money isn’t being spent on spur-of-the-moment shopping wants but rather on stuff that is important to me, so I know where my money is going. It’s been a humbling experience, earning money while balancing all these needs for the first time. It’s a step up from constantly accompanying my parents on their shopping trips and requesting rides with them everywhere.
It’s also made me realize saving up for my future goals might take longer than I initially thought. The big goal is moving out and relocating elsewhere. It’s a house of five people - including me - and I am very much looking forward to living on my own. Even the “three times the rent” rule - another Khan Academy takeaway - seems daunting to follow. That could be up to $3,000 not counting other costs like electricity and Wi-Fi! Absurd, but I’m sure it will be so worth it. It’ll just… take a while. Alas, I’m only young, so there ought to be plenty of time to get myself to where I want to be with a more major-relevant job and a place of my own.
I suppose it’s all just part of being an adult. XD
