My Money, My Problem

One week ago I decided to do what most other people my age have not even considered: requested my free credit report (or reports: I got all three). I thought getting my cholesterol checked at age 22 was scary, well, this was more frightening.

I didn't know what to expect - "What do those things say, anyways?" I asked myself.

Well, they keep track of every place you've ever lived, every time someone has inquired about your credit line, and (the obvious) every time you didn't pay on time. Unlike looking at my cholesterol levels, the numbers and words I read in the credit report were not very good.

I've only had one credit card my whole life, and I messed it up (that was in 2004). While in college I often ignored financial responsibility, common sense, and healthy eating by going out to eat. My Band of America account was... a mess, to say the least. I didn't do a very good job of keeping track of my money.

I just started a new job, and because I'm living with family my "rent" is fairly low. My original plan was to throw money into my account and use it whenever I needed it. Well, upon reading my credit reports I realized that letting money sit in an account was like leaving a box of cookies in front of a person who's barely began their diet.

I have never gone on krazee, extravagant spending sprees; never really had that opportunity. When I got into financial trouble it was over what I considered to be small things. I would convinced myself that "just one more" CD, book, or beer at the bar couldn't possibly make a difference. When I got to the end of the week and realized that I did not have enough money in my account to buy groceries - all thanks to trips to In-N-Out, Starbucks, or any other useless commodities - the "just one more" items added up to "a lot more."

However much I would LOVE to think of myself as being more responsible now (especially since I have a university degree), I know that when it comes to money I need to watch how I spend it - or in keeping with the diet example: watch my calories.

I am working, and because I don't have many bills to pay, NOW more than EVER I need to make sure that my money is spent on frivolous goods.