Ten Dollars

[rebeccmeister]

In further reference to yesterday's post, it looks like I am going to continue to see a pay reduction for the course of the fall semester. This wasn't a complete surprise, given that my program only guarantees funding for five years and we're looking at year eight for me. But it's still cause for concern, given that I'll be paying for health care and tuition out-of-pocket. Time to explore some financial aid options.

Whenever I reach this state with my finances (see last summer as another example), I inevitably think back to my first summer living in an apartment, before my junior year of college. My summer internship didn't pay me until the middle of the internship, so I quickly went broke right after the move, and had only ten dollars to my name for about 2 weeks. (I'm ignoring the student loan debt in that case, and in the current case).

This time around, well. Step one is to create a budget, based on my knowns: income through August (after that, ????), rent, utilities (pricey in the summer in AZ), cell phone bill (overpriced), general expense categories (food, animal care, "play money," etc.). Then it's time to get creative: where can I slim down? Well, I can't sleep if the thermostat is set above 87 degrees, so there won't be many changes to utilities - electricity is the most expensive part. Groceries, well, it's time to start checking prices much more carefully than before, to do more comparison shopping. I'll have to let go of my organic standards. Fewer fancy items, more basic staples. Animal care, well, there's not much I can do there. About the only other thing I can do is stop spending money on is coffeeshop expeditions and any miscellaneous item that I can live without.

Well, so it goes.

Comments

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

With regard to organics the big thing is looking at what food items are more icky if non-organic. (like they hold onto more pesticides) As always, go for seasonal and so many things can be stretched with certain starches. Polenta is your new best friend.

Barter like woah!

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

Good ideas! You're full of 'em. :-) Thank you!

I'm definitely going for seasonal stuff, now that I've got a good handle on what's seasonal and when out here in the low desert.

Barter like woah is totally true.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Are you looking at a pre-paid cellphone plan? I have one since I don't really talk on the phone all that much. I kind of dig it.

I may ressurect my food blog again and I will think of interesting yet economical recipes to share with the world. I am all about the bulk bin and making stuff.

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

Ya know, I haven't been looking around at cellphone plan options, mostly because I have a feeling that they'd be a rather big headache (cue a flood of recommendations). I tend to send text messages more than talking on the phone, so my monthly plan has a pretty small number of minutes, smaller than what's available in updated plans. I'll admit that I like the convenience of a cell phone when traveling, too, and I got a Verizon phone because they have pretty good area coverage.

I'd definitely love more interesting yet economical recipes on your food blog. Heck, even the extravagant ones are fun to read about!

[trifold-flame.livejournal.com]

This completely sucks. If you end up buying staples in large bulk call me for transport.

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

Yes ma'am! I'm hoping I can pick up bulk staples at the corner store by my house, but it's always good to have options...

[(Anonymous)]

That sucks indeed. What about your DIGG? When does that kick in?

do

[rebeccmeister.livejournal.com]

Well, the DDIG provides money for supplies and travel, but no stipend...the comforting thing is that my advisor (and her husband) are doing all that she can to fight on my behalf.