If I tried to write all this on Friday, it would be very long, so I'm setting it up today.
For me, frugality started with a goal.
I always knew that I wanted to live alone at least once before I married. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, if need be. I wanted to have time to reflect, to be by myself, to do everything without somebody there to help me. I did not anticipate getting married so young- I thought I had lots of time!
Enter my engagement during my junior year of college. The wedding was set for just after my graduation. To attain my goal, I would have to live alone during my senior year of college. My favorite roommate ever was graduating anyway, so it seemed extra appealing to not do roommate roulette again.
My parents were not as keen on the plan as I was. They did pay my room and board in the college dorms, and said they would help me find an apartment as well, if it did not exceed the cost of the dorm. (Dorms are very, very expensive, so that was not hard.) After doing some research, they said that I could live alone if I could do the following:
1. Find an apartment within walking distance of campus. (There were no single dorm rooms at my school. We were so overcrowded that people were living in the study lounges.)
2. Find an apartment for $350 or less. (Which was the going rate of a room in a shared house or apartment in that area.)
3. Pay my own utilities.
4. I had to pay the deposit and such by myself.
These things seemed impossible. I worked every summer, but my money always started getting low by the end of the school year. I had no loans, and had to buy my books and pay all fees, etc out of my money. Apartments in my area were not cheap, and in walking distance of the school? Very hard. My mother suggested that I find a roommate and just have my own bedroom. I reminded her that this defeated the purpose of living alone.
I was determined.
So, long story short, I found a hole in the wall tenement studio apartment three blocks from the school, for 325 a month, utilities paid. (Paid utilities was unheard of in that area.) My parents were shocked to say the least. They set forth those conditions because they thought them impossible, and that I would be forced to find a roommate. Parents out there- if you don't want your kid to do something, just say no. If they are determined, they WILL find a way!
So I had my 200 square foot apartment, with utilities. What I did not have were cabinets (really- none!) or any decent closet space, except one very small one that was 15 inches wide and 15 inches deep. I had a fridge that was slightly bigger than a mini-fridge, with one of those tin freezers inside the fridge part. I had no bathtub, just a small shower. No cabinets in the bathroom, just a shelf over the toilet. I truly sympathize with people who say they cannot bulk buy because of lack of room and freezer space. I've been there.
My parents grudgingly gave me the promised 350 a month, which left 25 dollars extra for my other expenses. I had a job at the library where I got 200 dollars a month, paid on the last day of the month. (Even now, I hate getting paid monthly.) I needed to survive, and save money for my upcoming marriage. I had to make this work. I was determined to make this work with no debt.
If I knew then what I know now, I'm sure I could have done much better, but everybody has to start somewhere.
3 comments:
If only we all knew then what we know now...
I'd say you were impressively goal-oriented for someone so young. In comparison, I had wasteful college years. It was only when I married a man whose profession was looked down upon by my mother that I became financially creative, just to show her what we could do.
Oh, I was plently wasteful! Lots of late night pizza and beers out come to mind.
I was (am) very goal oriented though. I decided very young (about 14 or 15) that I did not care if I were ever rich, but I wanted enough to not worry about money, have savings, etc. My parents also pounded into my head that debt was evil. I was very lucky in many ways- I had no student loans, no credit card debt, and I was willing to do nearly anything to stay out of debt. If there is a such thing as a debt phobia, I have it.
starting young can make all the difference.
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