More Money More Problems

Or not.

If you're smart you'll be able to resit that burning sensation happening in your pocket caused by more income.

I started a new job last week. Full time. Thats 40 hours a week guys. It's not much more pay than what I made with my previous employer (Apple) , but for the hours and working in my field; it's pretty great.

I have literally never had this much money to my name after paying rent and bills. I'm usually left with just enough (barely enough) to eat, gas up Victor (my car), and feed my cats. This was my life every month. I couldn't afford to hang out, or sometimes even buy necessities like toiletries. It was hell.

But now that I'm making almost three times what I made I've had to sit down and figure out how to not lose my shit and purchase the entirety of one of my amazon wish lists. Although I might still do that...

So listen up! This is how you try to handle that wad of cash.

1. Make a Budget Time to whip out those Microsoft Excel skills that high school computer courses knew we'd need. A solute to the education system for teaching something useful. Or you can just grab a pen and paper. Start with what you make in a month. Then list out what NEEDS to be paid for each month and the $ amount. That number at the end, the one left over after bills are paid for, food is purchased, and gas is budgeted; that's yours.
2. Start Your Savings/Invest Investing is a personal choice. I'm not telling you to dump the rest of your greens on Facebook and cross your fingers. But remember that number you had left over after budgeting? Divide that by 3, or 2 (half is for the brave), and plunk it in savings. Or a giant crayon bank. In a serious emergency, come time to move, buy a car, or splurge on cosplay, that money will seriously come in handy.
3. Identify Needs and Wants Ok. You know where I'm going with this next one. You don't NEED clothing or makeup, but you buy more anyway. That $60 video game could have waited until after the bills were paid. This factors into the budget you started with. Be careful with what you perceive as a need.
4. Pay Attention Please guys, for the love of all the creatures in the universe, PLEASE watch your spending habits. My mom made a good point about "pit-stopping". Pit stopping is the run to Target for two things (but who leaves with less than 10 items am I right?), grabbing a few random ingredients at the market, or for me it's replacing one hair product at a time. Pit-stopping will cost you more every time. Buy everything together. Make a list before you go and keep the list. 

Now go out into the world and show them what a fine, functioning, adult you are.