#which is real fucked up that youtube is denying people an income from their videos

[tired-fandom-ndn]

I actually think it's evil that youtube has gone back to playing ads on demonetized videos.

[brokeafandhungry]

When You’re Broke and Need To Budget

Budgeting is not a skill I was taught growing up. I was always told to save money, but never how or for what. I also lived with people that would nickle and dime, then blow their money on something that was gratifying in the moment but ultimately a financial disaster. 

So, what to do? 

1) Decide that you’re going to budget in a safe, sane way. That means committing yourself to the idea that you’ll start consciously managing your money. That does not mean stop spending altogether. Let me repeat: THAT DOES NOT MEAN STOP SPENDING ALTOGETHER. There. Glad we got that out of the way. 

2) Research the best method for you. There are a lot of approaches for you to choose from. My very first budget was the simplest. I listed my income. I listed the expenses I knew of. I took out a calculator and did some subtracting. I had a final number that I could decide what to do with. Which leads me to--

3) Know, understand, and accept that you are going to fuck this up at least once. “Once” is probably being kind. Let’s face it, if you’re like me, you’ve spent most of your money-earning years assuming you know where all your money is going and pretending you have a handle on it, when in reality you’ve been tra-la-laing about without a clue. Becoming more conscious of your money means confronting reality, and as we all know, she’s not your cuddly grandma. (Did you have one of those? I didn’t.) Just remember--you are learning. People make mistakes. Roll with the punches. 

4) In the theme of fucking up, track your expenses. Get out your bank statements, organize them (especially if they were in the state that mine were in) and figure out exactly what everything costs. I thought my phone bill was 35 Euro a month. It was 54. No wonder I kept going over my limit at the end of the month. This will not be a fun experience. In fact, it’s tedious and more than a little disheartening. It’s also eye-opening. You cannot make positive changes if you don’t know your situation. Use the new information to create a new budget. If you’re in the black, kudos. We can make plans. If you’re in the red, well, we can work with that. 

5) Pay yourself an allowance. In my list of expenses, I factored in my monthly allowance and a limit for groceries. Those are part of the big number I subtract from my monthly income. Whatever is left over after that is divided into savings and a travel fund. The allowance is what keeps you from going bonkers. You aren’t denying yourself anything--you’re adjusting. You have money in your pocket for the month that can be used the way you want, when you want. I have about 100 Euro. Others have 20. This will depend on your situation, but something is always better than total deprivation. You’ll be more likely to succeed with your budget if you feel like you have wiggle room. 

6) Divide big bills into little amounts. It you have a bill that’s due once a year or quarterly, divide that amount into a monthly number you can sock away in preparation. I have to pay a certain bill quarterly. It’s 57 Euro. I set aside about 19 or so euro every month so that I can pay it without worrying. 

7) Make use of the free resources you have. Follow Youtube channels about budgeting. If you’re into Dave Ramsey, cool, he has a channel there. You don’t have to buy his books. Pinterest will give you tons of printables to help you out, if you want to make a budget binder (I didn’t, but I’m slowly putting one together that’s tailored to me without being there just to be pretty). Your PHONE is also a resource. Apps, people. APPS. 

8) Understand that there is such a thing as paying a bill without stressing about it. It’s a real thing. It just takes a little forethought. The first time you feel it, you’ll never want to go back. And actually having a little money in your account at the end of the month, even if it’s just $8.38? That’s so damn amazing. No. Red. Text. 

Now that that’s done, here are some things I’ve tried that you might or might not find useful.

1. An expense tracker. Lets me keep track of the money in my wallet and my budget for groceries. 

3. A spreadsheet. If you know your way around a spreadsheet, this is the way a lot of people keep track of their budget. If you don’t, like me, you might find the experience cumbersome and just plain frustrating. 

2. YNAB--stands for You Need A Budget. The first month is free, then it’s a yearly fee of $50. If you’re a student, you get the first year free. It comes with an app that allows you to see what you've allotted in each category. I found the layout nice, which allowed me to keep track of things and adjust as new information came my way, but $50 seemed a little steep. Which led me to--

3. Everypocket. It’s web-based, no fancy layout or app. You get a three month overview in addition to the monthly view. YNAB kind of trained me how to use it. The program is totally free, no fees at all, and the program is good. The incredible number of typos in the how-to pages might make you think otherwise, but my experience with the budgeting program has been very positive and unaffected by glitches. If you have problems, email them. They’re responsive and open to suggestions. 

4. Goodbudget. This is based on the envelope system. You make a virtual envelope for everything, and designate how much goes in at the end of the month. It’s web-based and has an app to help you keep track. You have the choice of upgrading to premium, which gets you unlimited envelopes, but really, the free version is just fine. I just wasn’t into the layout, which I felt could be improved. Give it a shot. It might work for you. They also have useful how-to videos. 

5. Everydollar. App and web-based, Dave Ramsey’s. Free to use, not all that complicated, but could take some getting used to. 

Something you want to add to the list? 

[eldritchsurveys]

213.

What is one thing you've realized or discovered lately? >> Most of the things I’m discovering lately aren’t the kind of things I can put into words, not in this format, anyway.

Do you know anyone who is colorblind? If so, who? >> I don’t know, maybe.

Is there anyone you suspect of being colorblind? If so, who? >> No.

When was the last time you cried, and why (if you want to share)? >> A couple of days ago. Dysphoria.

Who was the last person who was rude to you? >> I don’t know.

Do you wish you were in a different social class than you are? >> Honestly, not really. I don’t like being poor all the time, obviously, but on the other hand... this is the socioeconomic reality that has shaped who I am as a person. While having more money would enable me to have and do more QOL-related things, it’s pretty obvious to me that the more money one has, the higher one’s “baseline” rises. What I mean is... okay, when I was broke -- no income at all -- I could only imagine a certain level of comfort because that’s all I could afford. Imagining anything more luxurious than “a cot and a hot every so often” was just... dumb, not to mention impossible after a while. So anything extra -- even if it means a sandwich at Starbucks and a chance to be in the warmth for a while -- was like... amazing. There were so many opportunities for delight. I’ve noticed a shift in my capacity for delight and small-things enjoyment now that I have a more stable and comfortable living situation, and while this doesn’t necessarily mean I want to be destitute and homeless again (fucking duh), it means I’ve noticed how even the tiniest increase in wealth (”wealth”) can change a person’s outlook and what they expect from their life. I think it’s something people should think about, although the knee-jerk defensive response of “well I’d rather be depressed in my Lambo than in my 1994 Honda” or whatever usually blocks this kind of discussion from happening.

What's something that scares you? >> Infirmity.

What's the one thing you want more than anything? >> There is no “one thing I want more than anything”.

Do you have a relationship with God? >> I have a relationship with Wednesday. Lots of people call him a god, so I guess they can’t all be wrong.

Have you ever vlogged or blogged? >> Casually.

Who do you call when you have a problem? >> ---

Do you have a best friend? If not, who do you wish you were friends with? >> ---

Is there someone that you miss? >> No.

What was the last date you went on like, and are you still with the person? >> ---

What is your favorite thrift store find? >> I’m not sure.

Do you keep your room organized? >> The second bedroom, which is functionally “mine”, is quite organised.

Which youtubers do you feel like you could be friends with in real life? >> ---

Have you ever met someone in person that you first met online? >> Yes.

How good are you with shades of colors? >> I don’t know, probably pretty terrible.

Does it annoy you when people call teal "blue"? >> It would only annoy me if there is a specific reason that I would need to know the colour was in fact teal, and calling it blue would muddle my understanding in a significant way. Otherwise, whatever.

Would you describe teal as a shade of blue, a shade of green, or a mix? >> I really don’t have a stance on this.

What is your favorite color? >> Gold.

How many other people do you know with your favorite color? List a few. >> I don’t know, man.

Do you fall asleep with your laptop open on your lap? >> No.

Which do you use more: a computer or a phone? >> A computer.

Have you ever taken a test to see if you are colorblind? >> No.

Which family member did you inherit your hair color from? >> All of them.

Do you hate your nose, love your nose, or have you never thought about it? >> I don’t really think much about my nose.

What was your favorite Barbie doll? >> I didn’t have a favourite.

Would you ever want to look like your favorite Barbie doll? >> I would never want to look like a doll, period.

Do you like your better curly, wavy, or straight? >> ---

Do you ever worry about running out of make-up and not being able 2 buy more? >> No.

Do grammatical errors annoy you? >> Nine times out of ten, no.

Who do you know who is dyslexic? >> I don’t know.

Do you prefer kisses or hugs? >> Hm.

Describe your dream wedding in five words. >> ---

Do you feel your life is worth living? >> I mean, I don’t really attribute value to life, it kind of just... is. I’m alive, so I might as well try to have a good time sometimes.

Do you smoke weed? >> No.

Is weed legal in your state? >> It is now. (Legislation passed in the last election.)

What are your secrets? Share a few if you want to. >> Why doesn’t any survey-maker understand what a secret is?

Would you ever read your diary on the Internet? >> What.

Have you ever thrown up in class? >> No.

What is it that you want to talk to someone about? >> ---

What is something that you used to be ashamed of, but not you're not? >> I can’t think of anything off the top of my head.

Do you have anyone who cares about you? >> Seems that way.

What was the last good book you read about? >> Two Mexican youths and their love for each other.

Where do you next want to go on an adventure? >> Anywhere, really.

Do you need a vacation? >> I sure do.

How long has it been since you've been on vacation? >> I don’t really know what qualifies as a vacation.

If you could go on vacation right now, where would you go? >> I’ll be in NOLA in two weeks, so that’s fine.

Have you ever walked outside in below zero weather? >> Yes, just this past week...

Is watching youtube videos one of your hobbies? >> I don’t know if it qualifies as a hobby, per se, considering how passive of an activity it is... but yeah, I enjoy it.

Does it annoy you that people get denied for disability who really need it? >> Sure, since I was one of those people (I had to appeal two fucking times).

Have you ever held a newborn baby? >> Not a newborn, but a baby.

Are a ton of your facebook friends getting married and having kids now? >> ---

What is a trend you haven't followed? >> ---

What's something you believe in that most people don't? >> I don’t think I have any beliefs like that.

Do you think for yourself? >> I mean, yes?

What's the last supernatural thing that happened to you? >> I don’t know.

Have you ever had anyone bully you because they were jealous of you? >> I don’t know. I think that I was bullied because I was an easy target, not because I had something worth envying.

What's something most people don't know about you? >> *shrug*

What's a hidden talent that you have? >> *shrug*

If you're a Christian, how long have you known the Lord? >> ---

Who is someone you'd really like to talk to? >> Hm.

Is there anyone who's dear in your heart who's going down the wrong path? >> No.

Who has your heart? >> Me, thanks.

From you experience, which is worse for bullying: adulthood or childhood? >> Uh...

Do you wear sweaters often? >> No, I only have one.

How often do you burn candles? >> Not often, I usually burn incense.

Do you live in an apartment, condo, dorm, or house? >> Apartment.

Do you have a sibling with the same first initial as you? >> No.

What's a word that rhymes with your first name? middle name? >> *shrug*

Do you get enough sleep? >> Not always.

How many cups of tea do you drink in a day? >> Usually one, if any. I like tea, but I can’t always get myself to make it.

Don't you hate it when people give advice when you want support? >> That doesn’t happen to me often enough for me to have a predictable reaction to it.

Which magazine is your favorite to read? >> GameInformer, I guess.

Do you cut out magazine clippings to use for projects? >> No.

Do you ever eat kids' food (as in, meals made for kids)? >> No.

What's something you wish you would have known sooner? >> I can’t think of anything.

What's something you wish your doctor would have told you? >> ---

Are you happy with your life right now? >> Sometimes.

Is it cold where you live? >> Yes.

What's the next big project you plan to start? >> I don’t plan to start any big projects any time soon.

Do you enjoy taking on new challenges? >> Sometimes.

Do you have acid reflux? >> No.

What's on your heart? >> ---

Are you naturally optimistic or pessimistic? >> I don’t know which one I am, really. I think it varies, and I have no “natural” disposition towards one or the other.

Would you rather wear pink or blue? >> Either is fine.

What are the names of your first cousins? >> ---

Do you know what you want to name your children? >> ---

Do you like what your parents named you? >> ---

Do you think you were cute in your baby pictures? >> I mean, I guess.

What color was your baby blanket? >> I don’t know.

Do you remember pre-school? >> No. Any “memory” I have of being that young is mostly fabricated through stories I was told about that time of my life, and an active imagination.

How old were you when you made your first friend? >> I was in seventh grade.

Are you doing what you were created to do? >> I wasn’t “created to do” anything.

What's an act of injustice that's been done against you? >> I can’t think of anything.

Do you find a lot of peoples' facebook statuses to not be relevant at all? >> Relevant to what?! Anyway I don’t have facebook.