this Engrish isn't that bad, actually... ^_^

[tsukikage]

You're Amber. You're very opinionated, strong and
willfull. You face every challenge head on, as
though it were a fight to the death... and
sometimes, it is.


Which member of The Tribe are you most like?
brought to you by Quizilla


So, I typed this up earlier in IE, but then I accidentally hit back, and when I went forward again, my entry got deleted. Of course. I re-installed Semagic on Pat's computer to be safe. And now back to what I wanted to write about:


I've been working through a lot of calculations lately, and I think I've found a successful budget. At my job I will be making $6.50 an hour, so let's make a conservative estimate of $5 an hour after social security and state taxes. Working 40 hours a week, that should give me an income of $800 a month.

expenses:
Tae Kwon Do: $90/mo
bus pass: $66/mo for ~ 3 months (31-day pass), then ~ $14/mo (UPass)
Dish Network: $50/mo
allowance: ~ $100/mo

That leaves me with $494 a month to put away for the first three months, and $546 after that. But I think I'll spare my pocket that monthly $6 and $4, and just put away $500 and $550.

Now, University of Minnesota tuition is $256.85 per credit. This Spring I plan to re-take Psy 100, which is 4 credits, or $1027.40. I would also like to take second-year Japanese this summer, if my work schedule allows it, which will be 10 credits, or $2568.50. And even if my schedule doesn't allow this particular class, I can always take another summer class, or use the saved money to help pay for Fall tuition. In any case, the tuition for these planned 14 credits total $3595.90.

Unless my calculations/estimates are grossly incorrect, I should have more than enough money for my Spring tuition ($1500) before the end of January (the 33% tuition due date is March 3rd), and I will have $3700 (-$1027.40) before the end of May (the full tuition due date being July 21st). And if I underestimated my income well enough, I may even be able to treat myself to a trip to Vancouver, BC in December '05 to take the JLPT 3-kyuu. (But... But... I wanna collect all foooouuuuurrrrr....)


This second draft of my budget is a lot more wordy than my first one was. Maybe I'm a better writer when I'm tired? ^^;

Finally... I think I'm losing my voice. I'll be a rather quiet martial artist tonight, me thinks. Probably even a bus-taking martial artist, with this weather.

*goes to watch the R.o.D. OVA*

Comments

[killercherrypie.livejournal.com]

Total randomness here: I love your icon. Yes, I AM a total Gundam Wing freak. Always will be.

[tsukikage85.livejournal.com]

I feel your love reflection!

[tamitha]

*squee* You're using one of my icons! I feel so special! =^.^= *hugs*

[belindabird.livejournal.com]

Wow, your budgeting is much more detailed than anything I've ever done when it comes to money.

This may not be the healthiest attitude for me (especially since I don't have a huge personal income and it would be in my best interest to keep better track of my incomes and expenditures), but my personal belief is that it's just too stressful to pay a whole lot of attention to money. I'm sure if I sat down, calculated my average weekly income, I'd freak out because it really isn't that much considering I don't work full time (It works out to be about 100-125 dollars per week in my estimation).

I don't want to freak out about every time I buy food at school or anytime I buy a DVD I want, because then I'd just be stressed out all the time. And the truth is, I never really feel the need to save up for anything big so I really don't have to pay too much close attention. It works for me, but I admire you for actually taking the time and being responsible about it :)

[tsukikage85.livejournal.com]

I blame it on Patrick. He's been pressuring me to be careful with my money, so eventually I gave in. Besides, I have a Mia Thermopolis-like love of lists (ie. listing things I need to buy and pay bills for), so it's all good.
Aside from that, I'm going to set up an automatic weekly transfer from my checking to my savings, so even though I can override this transfer if I need/want to, I won't have to think about it.