So, I'm at a jobcorps facility. I came here with around 750$, and blew it all. I'll leave with 992$ for a transition check. I've been trying to save up, not the best I can, for when I get out. I get 64$ a month, but I spend it instead of saving it a lot. I need to start saving, that's obvious. I have about 10 more months left. So I could save up 640+992=1632. If I save up for entireity. See I need a place to go when I leave. Jobcorps is a government program done by the US department of Labour offering free housing and training. Should I put away half, all, I keep saying I'll put it away but I'm impulsive? I feel bad when ever I spend it.
$ 64 a month isnt really much to budget with. If you can avoid spending it do so, but for later what I found easiest is to pay your bills right when you get your check. Also open a savings acct along with your checking and put money you know you need for bills there, and a little extra. You'll likey have to split your rent between checks so half your rent goes into the savings then next check pay off your rent with the cash from there and your savings from the previous check. Really though the key is to add up your bills, pay them right off when you have the cash (unless it digs into food/gas) and then you know hkw much spending money you have (include food/gas into your monthly bills. Also learn to cook instead of eating out).
I've cinco de mayo'd tonight so hopefully this comes out clear: COUNT UP YOUR MONTHLY EXPENSES /more bold / more underline /more italics This is honestly step one and I know it probably has no impact now while you are in jobcorps but it is very, very important. You need to know how much you are paying out. Average out food costs and gas costs with your monthly bills (and don't forget about bills that are not monthly). At that point you have your free money, or spending money. If you are smart you will put some into savings (do so, you need a buffer for emergencies, even $20 a month can help assuming you are not accident prone). Sorry but I can't stress this enough. Budgeting is easy but you are going to need real expenses before you can deal with it. It is also easy to spend more than you have (I'm there now this month, been a drinky, trying to meet a girl month) which can get you in to deep (*)(*)(*)(*). I would stay away from credit cards if you don't feel comfortable with them, but eventually you will want one. They will help you to build up your credit score which you will need in the future (unless you get a car payment which is just stupid. Buy it with cash, just find a good cheap one and be ready to work on it a bit). Having credit cards also gives you a loan in case of emergency. I'm bad about this; I have $4500 in credit I can use at any time but minimal savings. I'm trying to reverse that now, but you know, life. I guess that is another important point, but it takes a bit to figure out; don't let your life down by wasting money. Do what you want, do it reasonably, don't put yourself into a hole. Also with any luck you'll find a partner that is worth a (*)(*)(*)(*). She/he will be able to help on the bills which takes a load off. Still though don't depend on that, I'm paying off my house by myself because I couldn't find that, and even then don't get more than you personally can afford. The real think you need to concentrate on right now is what they are teaching you at jobcorps. I honestly hope it's a good trade. You wouldn't believe how much an electrician or plumber can make. Hell my contractor buddy makes more than I do when he wants, and I'm a software engineer and he's self employed. Don't get sidetracked, concentrate on what you are doing there. Also, if it's not for you, there is the military. The GI bill helped me a lot through school (though I still own loans). It's also helping my buddy become an electrical engineer. You don't have to go Infantry, in fact if you want a job doing something that the Army provides go into that field. That said if you are just looking for college money for a degree, go Infantry. You probably won't die, you'll get to shoot machineguns, and honestly there is nothing else like it.
