Staying within my budget

 Now that I'm on my own again, I'm trying very hard to stay within my budget and not overspend.  Of course there are times when I do, but that's just life.  I do not make it a habit like I've done in the past.  Nowadays when I go over budget it is because I want to treat myself to something special and that is as much for my mental health as anything else.  It happens, what can I say?

I do have a credit card that I use.  I try to only use it for necessities when I have to such as groceries or gas, but it has seen its share of silly purchases as well.  I'm working on that one and actually doing very well abstaining from that kind of impulse buying.  But today I had to make my first big payment to UNCG for the fall semester.  That was hard in some ways, seeing that money go into my bank account and then right back out.  While I was setting up my payment plan, which is a wonderful service UNCG offers...even if they charge a "setting up fee" which is complete BS, but what can you do.  Still, while I was in the process of completing the paperwork I had a lot of anxiety coursing through my veins.  

I'm not exactly sure why but I believe it is because this first big payment was in cash and not on credit.  And by cash, I mean money in the bank.  I wasn't going to put this on my credit card because, like I said, I'm trying not to use it as much.  And the money was in my bank account.  But I set up my plan and made my first payment which was roughly half of what the tuition total is.  And the funny thing about it is that as soon as I hit the confirmation button, the anxiety disappeared.  It was gone.  Totally.  

I was proud that I had the resources to take care of this.  Now, I did have some help with these resources, but I had them none the less.  And that's what the money was there for.  I could pay it and still hold my head high.  And, knowing me, it's going to motivate me to do my best because I'm paying for this and am not in a place to waste money these days.  It just felt good.  And I still have some in my savings and I still can take care of my monthly bills.  I was extremely happy about all of that.  And I appreciate the help that I have received and I'm proud that I asked for the help when needed.  This help wasn't about being bailed out of a situation, this was an investment in my future and I am totally on board with that.