So.... it is now October 2010, and has been around four months since I graduated from Bangor University with a degree in Psychology with Neuropsychology.
I left uni with the aim to save every last penny I earned in forthcoming jobs, in order to go travelling (rather than settle down with a career etc in the real world...) However, I appear to be FAILING epically at this seemingly straightforward task. Upon leaving uni, my overdraft was maxed out, and I had a bank balance of approximately -£1,250. Dammit. Now, several months on, my bank balance is a rather pathetic -£759. Oh dear. Where have I gone wrong! I have two jobs, two jobs! I work 9-4 Monday to Saturday at Scarborough Shopmobility, earning a decent wage, and 2-4 evenings a week in an Italian restaurant, receiving good money, and great tips! I SHOULD be earning around £1,100 a month! So where is all the cash?
I supposed, a few weeks after graduating, I jetted off for a week in Turkey, and spent a considerable amount of money on eating out every night, despite the holiday being a cheap late minute deal. And then there was Leeds Fest, which cost £200 for the ticket, and over £100 for food and drink and transport. And since then not 1, not 2, not even 3, but 4 of my friends decided to turn 21, and not just the kind of friends who are causal mates, or now-and-again friends, but BEST friends, and so I was obliged to splash out a bit. Then of course it was my 22nd birthday, which one would think I wouldn't need to spend so much on.... I was wrong. We went for a meal, which cost about £35 a person, and a night out, which many of my 'poor' still student-friends failed to buy me a birthday drink.. and I ended up buying everyone a take away at the end of the night, and paying for the taxi home. And in the mean time I did appear to develop a brief obsession with online shopping.....
Now I'm not one likely to develop serious addictions or compulsions, I like to think of myself as sensible and responsible. However, the Dorothy Perkins online sale was Amazing, yes indeed, with the capital A. And it got the better of me... as did Matalan, Accessorize and La Senza.
But at least I wasn't splashing out on designer labels...In addition to this, I am in the middle of a flat conversion, and am frequently required to open my purse up in order to buy a few simple amenities... such as a bloody fridge freezer, a cooker, a plasterer.... paint, utensils, microwave... and the list goes on.
And finally, this month will see my one year anniversary with my boyfriend, followed by his birthday. Now for my birthday, he spent £150 on me! At the time I was verrrry happy. Now, I am slightly concerned that I am required to spend the same on him, with it being an equal relationship and everything. So far, his gifts have set me back a good £80.
Oh and ANOTHER bloody expense.... my dentist bill the other day, for a check up (!!!) which included x-ray and polish, cost me £80... £80 for a check up!!! What is the world coming to?
So I think the moral of this story is I may NEVER get out of my overdraft... and as for my travelling plans, I was hoping to have a month in Europe, travel across Russia, and swan about in Asia for a while.... ending in Australia. Meaning I will need a good few grand... like £10,000 or something (better to have too much than too little). So, how do I get from minus seven hundred, to ten thousand? See how far I could get on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Sell things? I have nothing to sell.... sell my body?? I have scrupulous morals and a real hatred of poor hygiene (which I am sure a career in prostitution would see a lot of). Fake my own death and hope I have some sort of life insurance policy? Become a drug dealer?? Teach my cats to dance and busk in the street with them??? Hmm.... I may have to rethink these money-making strategies.
