Balancing Act

Let me tell you a little story that goes along with a typical college student or anyone for that matter. First, enjoy these fall pictures I was able to capture a week ago.

Storytime: Quite some time before college began I made the goal to pay for my entire college with my own money. No help from the parents. No help from student loans. However, when I did come up short my giving parents were so kind to help me make up the difference. In the times they have helped me I have paid them back with monthly checks. I live at home. Basically I was paying school rent to the parentals. 

It's hard to save money. It's hard to work your butt off all summer long to get to that pay deadline for school and write out an enormous check to USU, draining your bank account. Seeing your account being drained thousands of dollars is humbling. This expense leaves me wondering is it worth it? It's worth it though. It gives you a satisfaction knowing that you payed for this. This education is mine. After you pay your chunk sum for fall semester you start to rebuild for spring semester. Slow and sure your bank account begins to raise slowly.

You have other expenses you pay for: gas, food, entertainment. It's times when I begin to look at clothing, shoes, and handbags online where I get in trouble. I see all these wants. And oh my goodness. That one pair of boots I find. The small devil and angel appear on my shoulders. The devil, "Autumn, buy the boots! Buy the damn boots!" The angel, "No! You know spring semester is right around the corner. Every cent counts, save your money." I swear I stare at the screen for 20 minutes wondering "Do I need these boots?" It's a fight of judgement I have for the next hour in my head. It was then, while on Pinterest, I saw this... It must be a sign right?

                                 

 I sat there for a moment. If you could have been a fly on the wall watching this whole experience fold out I'm sure it would be entertaining to see me weigh my options. But gosh. Those boots were so darn cute.

  I remembered the true fact in that moment that life is too short. It's ok every now and then to splurge on yourself. In fact I believe it to be very important to give yourself a pat on the back for working hard. If that involves buying a pair of cute boots, or designer jeans or something simple like frozen yogurt you go ahead and do it. So did I live up to what I preach?

You bet, I bought the damn boots.

(It is however very important to save and not overspend from your budget!)