Being an Adult

This is a very random post, but I just finished balancing all of my bank accounts. While that might not sound like a huge task, believe me it is. I have several bank accounts with which I have to keep up with to make sure I don't run myself into a hole. While I think of myself as most of the time money conscious, I know of some people who wouldn't agree.

Before I moved away from home (not counting college), I didn't really worry about my bank accounts. If I went to the grocery store, I could always call home and let them know and money would some times magically appear in my bank accounts. Since moving to California, I have not done that once, and I guess I didn't realize how much that saved me from actually having to make sure that there was nothing in the RED. (One more thing that I am realizing to be grateful for.)

When I moved out to California, I opened two other bank accounts, so I could keep the money that I have already separate from the money I make as a US-2. Now that I have those two accounts and my two accounts from my PC life (pre california), it can get a little hectic keeping everything straight. For example, I was very worried that my California checking account was going to go over how much I actually had, I took money from my PC accounts and transfer to my IC (in california) account. Maybe some of you are familiar with the phrase "Robbing Peter to pay Paul" that is exactly what I did. Now I have to pay my PC account back, so I will be square with myself.

I am lucky enough to have a mother who is very mindful of where the family money goes. She came up with this cool Excel spreadsheet to do the family finances. She told me when I moved out here that I should use it too. Well, I did faithfully for about a month. I decided after last weeks "robbing" I should start keeping track again. I had not entered any new purchases for a month and she tells me that I have to enter everything in, not just change the numbers to reflect what they are now. This process took me about 4 hours, just trying to get everything right.

Wow what it takes to be a responsible adult with the money that I am making. Grant it, it shouldn't be that hard to keep track to the check I recieve, but I guess old/bad habits die hard i.e. not watching the bank balances.

Some might know already, this week has shaped up to be a very hectic, eventful and tiring week at work, so I will post on those events later. I still am trying to get my apartment in picture perfect order...hopefully by the beginning of next week.

Grace and Peace