In college, there are always the lofty dreams of graduating, meeting Mr. Right and getting married, finding your perfect job, and being able to afford the cute downtown apartment (or any apartment for that matter) or first home for those really lofty newlyweds or singles. Oh and then all the extra amenities you can think of (i.e. fun work clothes from your favorite store; being able to eat out and entertain yourself all the time; buying fun new furniture, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera). You play by the book and you get what comes next. EEEEEERRRRRRRRR (hault). My journey has maybe followed one of those things: Graduating.
Well it has been 2 ½ years since the fact and I am just now putting on my big girl pants (somewhat) and moving out of the rents house and into an apartment. I know…probably not attractive to some that it took me this long, but better at age 25 than at age 26. ;-) There is still hope for this girl – I’m 5 years ahead of those 30-and-still-living-with-my-parents people. Just ignore the fact that I’ve been mooching off of my parents and am realizing I need to buy things like tweezers, a loufa, cleaning supplies, oh, and food.
At least I pay my bills, right?! That is something to be proud of. Now, if only I would learn to do my taxes or how to change my oil. Can dad still be the oil man? I called Ameren and had them set up electricity. That was easier than I thought. Yesterday, I went to Target with my list of random supplies I needed like body wash and conditioner, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and laundry detergent. You ever heard of those things? Am I supposed to have a favorite brand? There are too many choices, so I let the coupons I had dictate what I bought. Swipe 10 times, cashier…You say wish you could be as good with coupons as I am? Oh don’t worry…I got them from my mom. Thanks, mom…you saved me $10 at Target. I’m fumbling with the heat too to make sure I get the cheapest bill…so far the apartment is set on a cool 66 degrees, and I’m finding that I don’t wake up to frostbitten hands and toes in the morning. Plus, at work there are free tampons in those machines, which I could totally snag if money gets really tight one month. As far as my time in my new place…well I don’t have any couches, or internet and cable set up yet so I’m learning how to read like they did in the olden days by candle light because my apartment doesn’t have great lighting and I only have two lamps.
As far as groceries…well…I’m still working on getting that done and until then I either eat very little or offer to help a friend put together her wedding invitations while her parents buy pizza for everyone who is helping. Thanks, engaged friends!
So on a scale of 1-10, I think I’m surviving on my own with a solid 10.
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