OUCH. That HURT!

I know my finances have been out of control. I'm just not used to paying a mortgage yet, and I'm not really used to my large paycheck, either. So today I decided to actually budget. Since I like simple solutions, A Better Way to Save: The 60% Solution seemed painless. Instead it was more like ripping a band-aid off an open wound.

I'm not in any trouble (yet), but I haven't been saving anything, either. And I always seem to get caught a little short in August, September, and January, thanks to the crazy paycheck cycle for full-time faculty. I constantly have to dip into the overdraft account my bank so happily provides. I'm smarter than this, and I used to be a consummate manager. It's time to re-learn old habits.

So I tried on the 60% budget for size, and that's when I started screaming in pain. First, I deliberately knocked a few hundred dollars off my paycheck, since it fluctuates so dramatically from semester to semester. Following the strategy, I can only spend about half of my usual 'fun' money. I did get up enough courage to total how much I'm spending at restaurants, and last month's tab came to over $200. That doesn't include groceries, never mind furniture and books.

Now at least I have a hard number to keep track of. I think maybe I can add that high.

(update)

I'm sanding the floors again. It's taking for freaking ever. The "new plan" is to rent a floor sander on Friday, and hopefully return it that same day. I'm worried about the tile and the walls, though -- must research floor sanders and see what I'm getting into.