The PC way to describe my money IQ would be 'developmentally challenged.' It's partly my upbringing, partly lack of real-world experience, and partly the fact that I really just can't take all that imaginary stuff seriously. I'm not holding it in my hands, it just goes right from the employer to someone else.
Currently, I'm working a fun job with terrible pay. I have a mortgage, and no furniture. Well, no bookshelves. And since my main hobby is reading and writing, this means my condo is filled with piles of boxes that I haven't unpacked for years. YEARS. Because I haven't forced myself to save up enough money to buy some damn bookshelves. No joke. I can't get a couch, either, because there is no room amidst all the boxes. I used to have an old cheap futon but when I bought the condo (MOST. STRESSFUL. THING. EVER.) the movers broke it even more than it already was and so we just threw it away. I wouldn't have used it anyway, since now I have hardwood floors and the cheapo futon would have damaged it.
I don't use credit cards, because in the past I ran up huge debts on them and now no one in their right minds would give me a credit card - I always imagine that Simpsons episode where Homer tries to buy a new car.... When I have enough equity in the condo, I might take out an extra loan to do upgrades like buy furniture. Upgrade the A/C units. Get a couch.
Currently my plan is to start getting into the habit of saving, so I have opened a savings account at the bank with no minimum, no fees, some interest, and an inability for me to withdraw from savings at the ATM. If I can't touch it, I won't break it. I've also been researching ways to Consolidate debt since that would make it easier for me to keep track of all my bills. For the moment, my current goal is to get my savings to be twice my current paycheck so I will finally have a financial cushion again. Mmmm, cushions.....Oh, and to catch up on all my day to day bills.... Now, where did I put that pile of paper?
