She Strengthens

Living Comfortably, but Not Perfectly

As a 22-year-old with a full-time job, a partner with a similar job, and a comfortable lifestyle, I’m often seen as having it all together. But beneath the surface, I’ve made my fair share of financial blunders. Despite being fortunate enough to have avoided debt and built a safety net, I still struggle with money management.

A Lucky Start

Coming from a lower-middle-class family, my husband and I have been blessed with a comfortable lifestyle. We’ve managed to pay off our cars, live with family to save for a house down payment, and maintain a growing savings account. However, I’m not immune to financial stress. In fact, I’ve made numerous mistakes since my first job at McDonald’s, but I’ve learned from each experience.

Mistake #1: A Costly Education

Last year, I enrolled in a full semester at our local community college, thinking it would fulfill me and improve my job prospects. I had a solid plan, but I soon realized I wasn’t invested in my college plan. The classes stressed me out, and I wasn’t interested in the subjects. With my promotion adding five hours of overtime to my workload, I was burnt out by October. Dropping the semester meant we’d have to pay for it out of pocket, a whopping $2,000. My husband wisely cautioned me, “Just think before making another $2,000 mistake.”

Mistake #2: A Costly Business Venture

Fast forward seven months, and I found myself at a “free” party trying out new makeup and getting a facial. I ended up buying some products and loving them, but then I got talked into becoming a consultant myself. I spent a staggering $1,800 on my first inventory order, hoping to sell the products and make a profit. However, I didn’t tell my husband about the investment, fearing it would be seen as a mistake. Now, I’m down $2,000, with $600 on a new credit card.

Lessons Learned

These two mistakes have taught me valuable lessons. I ignored my gut feeling both times, thinking I was making a good decision. In reality, I was ignoring my own doubts and fears. I’ve learned that I need to be more mindful of my financial decisions and communicate better with my husband.

Looking Ahead

My goals are big, but my budget is small. We want to buy a house, have children, and retire comfortably. To achieve these goals, I need to be more in control of myself and remember that I’m human. I’ll continue to balance our budget, set savings goals, and avoid future mistakes by taking these lessons to heart.

As I move forward, I’m determined to make better financial decisions and avoid costly mistakes. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being mindful and responsible with our hard-earned money.