I didn't ask for this - Adulting..

By: Mariah.

Right now, it seems like getting this adulting thing down pact is nearly impossible. As a 23 year old woman trying to navigate the world, it feels like once things are going good, something comes along to simply run your pockets. Whether it be your car, your job or simply basic necessities that one needs to live. Living on your own is stressful.

Growing into adulthood is HARD. This is why it is essential to accumulate a savings as soon as one starts working, to have money to fall back on.

Here are some tips that can assist you on getting a better hold on adulthood:

1. Write and STICK to a budget.

It is time to organize your finances AND create a budget curated to help you achieve your goals. Personally, I have been using this strategy as the best way to save and pay bills.

• 1) Add up all of your bills for the month. (Total: _______)

• 2) Whether you get paid weekly, or biweekly you would divide the total

• 3) For instance: if my monthly bills add up to $900

  • 3a) If I get paid weekly, I would divide 900 by 4. I would put aside $225 a week to pay for my monthly bills.

  • 3b) If I get paid biweekly, I would divide 900 by 2. I would put aside $450 a week.

• In addition, open a new bank account or have a separate account where you would have $ in there SOLELY for bills. Then, you can in turn have your bills on autopay and essentially save! That way your bill $ is in a separate account and your checking account can be $ you can save and at your leisure.

• You can track your monthly expenses on a bill organizer app, or an excel sheet on google sheets.

2. Learn how to cook!

Cooking - Meal prepping for your meals to cover a couple days will save you money! Not only that, it’s healthier! You can utilize the internet at your leisure, especially budget friendly ones! Nothing is better than a home cooked meal, especially on your busiest work days. :)

3. Get up early.

Working full time will cause your body to naturally become drained to a certain extent. Especially if you have children. Try to make it a habit to get up early, try to complete your chores/tasks for the day earlier. Ex: On the weekends. Get up, go to the gym, or do your laundry, and prep your meals for the week. By noon, you’re already more than halfway done with your day and there is room for a nap! Seize the day and don’t let the day seize you.

4. Declutter, declutter, declutter!

Are there old clothes that you have been meaning to donate for the past few months? Are there papers/mail that you’ve been meaning to go through? What about the items that are accumulating space in the cabinets? Now is the time to get rid of those items! Take time to prepare yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally. Once you declutter your space, you’ll declutter your mind and you will feel & breathe better once you get rid of these things!

5 Learn how to balance your time. Make sure to include time for yourself.

Utilize your free time to practice self care and allow yourself a break from your daily hectic schedule. As a young adult that is kick starting their career, or maybe even feeling out different things to learn what you like.. Self care is ESSENTIAL. Don’t feel obligated to, answer that phone call, or reply to that text. Put YOU first and the rest will follow.

Hopefully these things that help me, help you!

With love,

Mariah Banks x Our.PerspecKtive <3