Being Broke

So I have been asked to blog about my experiences being a doctoral student. Be careful what you wish for—getting into my mind is not for the faint of heart! :)

What’s been on my mind regarding being a student lately? The fact that I hate being broke! I remember a mentor of mine during my undergraduate degree telling me not to put off graduate work too long--how it is hard for people to commit to it full-time once they have an “established” life-style. Of course me being me, thought I would never fall into that category. I am a frugal person—I save, spend wisely, and am able to maintain my non-extravagant, teacher paying, tutoring on-the-side life-style. Little did I know how “established” I actually was!

Am I broke according the true definition? Of course not. But do I miss not being able to walk into a Target or Ross and buy whatever I want (within reason) and not have a complex about it? You better believe it! Take last night, for example. I went to Target to buy the typical household and personal necessities. I had a list and was determined to stick to it. In my previous life, I would have had an idea of what I wanted and would have had no problem buying extras because, “I’ve worked hard and deserve it.” I found a shirt (not on the list) and wanted it sooooo bad! It was on clearance. It was black. It was cute. I pictured myself wearing it to a number of different events. The old me would not have hesitated. I want the shirt. I need the shirt. I put it in my cart, but debated on whether to buy it for rest of the time I was in the store.

I got my 401K/money market/investment statements in the mail yesterday. I want nothing more than to put 15% of my monthly teacher pay into it every month. This is the best time to be investing! Returns on investments are going to be HUGE in the years to come. Can you say, "Early retirement?" Man, I wish I had an extra $600 a month!

I want to pay off what’s left of my looming education loans from my undergrad and masters. It isn’t much, but I had the ball rolling prior to deciding to leave my “established” life-style for this one of uncertainty.

I want to travel! I used to save money every month just to feed this addiction, telling myself it was my “new car fund.” I spent two weeks in the Greek Islands last summer, thinking it would keep me satisfied for the next few years. Nope—that lasted about a week! I as looking at travel brochures over the weekend, trying to figure out a way I could end up on THAT beach THIS summer.

I want to be social—snowboard, drink, dinners, weekend get-aways—all things that require the almighty dollar. I am the poster child for, “drinks on me.” Sure, will having to adjust, “make me a better person,” “teach me valuable lessons,” and “make me appreciate what I have?” Blah. Blah. Blah. “Yes, Mom. It will.”

I work hard. I play hard. I just wish the working hard part of what I am doing now allowed me to play just as hard.

Dave Ramsey (financial guru) always says, “Live like nobody else today, so you can live like nobody else later.” There better be a later for me, Dave! :)

P.S. I bought the shirt.