Ballin on a Budget

March 20, 2018. HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING! If your somewhere in the midwest then saying that doesn't do justice, because here in Omaha, it was snowing until 11am. I just got back from the Dominican Republic, so the below freezing weather and then snow really has me missing the beach.

This past year I have been fortunate enough to visit 6 different countries. It started when I left for Norway to visit my family. I need to thank them for inspiring me to "just live." They live life to the fullest; their happiness and easy-go-spirit pushed me to want to do more!

If everything was free I'll tell you one thing..I would not be cuddled in my heated blanked sipping my decaf coffee, traveling somewhere warm sounds a lot better. Sadly though, life ISN'T free. So rude. But living in a non-free world isn't stopping me!!

These amazing experiences that I have got to live weren't just handed to me. My mom didn't help with flights, hotels, gas money, or food. It was all me. I started a bank account in 7th grade, and have always been a good saver. If I made 40 dollars babysitting, I wanted to go to the bank and deposit it. I loved having money that I could fall back on, and as I got older my work ethic became even more important to me. When I went to school at Northwest I was always very cautious with my money. I was not working my freshman year, and was also paying my tuition so watching that number in my savings go down was a jab in my heart when it was time to make a payment. Sophomore year I decided to use my CNA certification and work in a nursing home. I had classes in the morning, and then would work from 2pm-10pm, and let me tell you..It was hard. Having to come home at 10pm and pull out my books for a test the next day was almost impossible to stay focused.

Being back in Omaha has made it easier, but my life is pretty uneventful. I work days for my dad at his Auto Body Company, go to my night classes, and then every other weekend I work 48 hours shifts with my gal Dorothy (: and I SAVE the money!!

This last month I just purchased a new car. My first big girl purchase! WOOT WOOT.

I do love to save my money, and at times I am a little to tight with it, but not with this purchase. I drove around an old Dodge Stratus and I HATED it. I was fortunate enough that my parents gave me a car to drive, so I'm not complaining, but I wanted to work for something better, so I saved even more. My debit card was never even kept in my wallet because I didn't want to be tempted to spend the money, and seriously you have no idea how any times I was mad that I didn't have it to buy something that I NEEDED, and now I couldn't even name one of the things that I wanted. But I'm now making payments on something, and it makes me be very cautious, so sadly, I probably will not be making it to Switzerland this summer like I had planned. But ONE DAY!!!

My biggest advice for you is, even if you can't work right now because of school, be cautious with what you spend your money on. FOOD is a big one. I know it sounds fun to go to happy hour with your friends, but you don't need it. STAY AWAY FROM THE ONLINE SHOPPING! If you go on "just to look," you'll almost always find something that you forgot that you 'needed.' Save the money. Collect your change, and work hard!

Things will feel 100X better knowing that you worked for the nice things you have (:

Blog about my trip to Punta Cana coming soon!