Get your own paycheck- financial stability after a cushy life.

Similies about how broke I am, in the “yo mama style” (hey, professor Distel!) –

I’m so broke…

I use 1 ply toilet paper

my spice cabinet is just ramen flavor packets

My bandaids are packing tape and a piece of paper towel

My shampoo is body wash and conditioner is shaving cream

I eat the ends on loaves of bread

(basically life's not bad)

Let me preface this by saying: many of 22 year olds have been cut from the family budget long before I. So to those who felt the financial wrath right after high school, I am not worthy. You’re stronger, tougher and wiser than I. Feel free to stop reading now. I’ve found myself in this bizarre financial limbo. In some ways, I’m financially independent- paying my own rent, buying groceries, splurging on shoes that I definitely don’t need. I’m in that weird, unstable year when post-grads learn that THINGS COST MONEY. (Did you know that Miderma scar cream costs $29? Do you know how many PB&Js I can have with $29? Want to guess whether I have ugly scars or a stocked cabinet of peanut butter and jelly?)

As my career and paycheck will grow, so will my spending. My parents still help with those bothersome life expenses, like insurance, my phone bill and an occasional margarita outing. God bless ‘em. They made it clear: I could have borrowed money for rent in New York City. They were realistic, and they wanted me to stay safe and comfortable. Those same parents made sure I never had to truly endure the “poor college kid” lifestyle, and I’m so grateful for that.  The right pieces fell into play (thanks, job that pays the rent!), and it was time to start financially floating myself. New York City has grabbed me by the shoulders and shook the privilege right out of me. My penny-pinching habits are in full swing, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s no wonder everyone’s skinny around here – how can anyone afford an $11 sandwich on the reg? 

I'm toughening up to the expensive New York life, I'm learning (the cheapest happy hour spots), and I'm eating lots of PBJ's.