Can't Buy Me Love

This may come as a shock to some of you, but teachers don't make very much money. I know what you're thinking, "But Nem, YOU'RE a teacher and look at your glamorous life! You drive a Nissan Sentra and you live with your parents." I know guys, but appearances can be deceiving. This totally is not meant to be a blog where I complain about how much I don't have, but instead to focus on what I DO have and what I can do with it.

I've decided to make a budget and actually stick to it. I made a list of my monthly expenses, including fluctuating costs like gas, presents, etc. as best I could. After doing the math, I should have a nice amount left over each month, and I'm hoping this budget will help make that a reality. For the past 3 months, I've been taking a decent chunk out of my paycheck (the day I get it) and putting it into savings. So far, so good. When I put that money into savings, it seems like a HUGE amount at the time, but man does it add up slowly!

I feel like my future got here way faster than I anticipated and I have little to nothing to show for it financially. I know I'm still young, but I wish I would have started being financially smarter years ago. With that being said, there's no better time to start than now!

As I was saying, I am trying not to focus on what I don't have, but how to make the most of what I do have, which seems to be LOVE. I am head-over-heels in love with HBFB, I love my friends and family more than life, and I love what I do. So, here's my list (in random order, because they're ALL important) of things/people I have that I'm grateful for, and make me rich in other ways:

• I have the most amazing boyfriend in the world. I am madly in love with him and know that I will be happy with him for the rest of my life. He would do anything for me and is constantly doing everything he can to make me happy.
  
• My friends are incredible. Whether it's been a week, a month or even a year, since I've seen them, we pick up where we left off. They make me laugh and are unbelievably supportive. I couldn't have imagined or asked for better friends.
  
• My family, especially my parents, have made me who I am today. They are supportive in so many ways and love me unconditionally. I know you all think your families are amazing, but mine has everyone beat!
  
• I LOVE teaching. I get paid to spend the day with some of the most amazing young people. They are so smart and funny, and most of them have no clue! I get to teach them what I'm most passionate about, and I get to be creative and do my best to inspire them. We have "Education Celebrations" and eat cupcakes. I have multiple days off for holidays AND summer vacation. Did I mention snow days? :)

My life is good and I'm taking steps to make it even better. I've got quite a "To Do" list of very achievable goals, but perhaps I'll save that for my next post.