I would like to introduce myself. Long!

[tzsgti]

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[cschin4]

Congrats on taking the first step!

Managing your money isn't about budgeting aka a "diet". Those who view their money soley in those terms will never gain financial control over their situation. You really need to look at your money as a tool. And, you need to change your mindset of how you think about your money. You need to look at what you really value in life and go about achieving just that so that you can meet your goals and don't spend your life frittering away your money and have nothing to show for it.
So, it isn't about not eating out, brown bagging, etc. What it IS about is using your money to get you on your way. What are your goals? Do you eventually want to move out of your parents house and become independent?
In reality, you trade your time for money for everything you buy. When you eat out, how many hours do you have to work to pay for that meal? And, don't forget that you actually have to earn more than you are paying because about 1/3 of your money goes to taxes. Want to go on a shopping spree? How many hours of work did it take you to earn that money and are you willing to work more and more and more and more to pay for all this stuff? And, cc's with interest is a big ouch as the interest is astronomical and if you keep on this manner you will quickly be in quicksand.
So, I would recommend you do some reading. Get Suze Orman or some Dave Ramsey books at the library. Read Kiplinger's or Money magazine at the library and educate yourself. Go to frugal websites like Dollar Stretcher
and get tips on managing things.
Learn to find inexpensive or free ways to ENJOY your life. Instead of eating out, learn to cook! Become creative in the kitchen. Go for a walk, hike, bike ride, play cards, start a hobby instead of wasting time going to the mall. In reality, the MORE you shop whether it be just browsing for something to do, the more merchandise you are putting in your face and the more likely you are to buy stuff you don't need.
I find that I really enjoy life much more now that I have gotten off the shopping express to nowhere. I find great pleasure in my hobbies and the joys of life. And, I have the money to do the things I really want to do and have stopped the mindless spending which can sap your income.
From this point on, you should take every extra dime you earn and get that cc paid off. Every day you go to work and write another check to them should be another day for you to realize that you could become a slave to your things and your things and spending will own you and your time and labor instead of the other way around.
Now, does this mean you can not go out, eat out, etc? No, in fact, if you use some discipline, you will be able to do all the things you enjoy. For instance, you can eat out, but skip the drinks, dessert and coffee. Eat your meal and take home the leftovers for the next day brown bag.
If you are going out to the races, pay the admission, but bring your own pop and snacks, etc. In this way, you are only paying for what you enjoy but not spending mindlessly. You would be surprised how much people spend on buying bottled water, etc.
Best of luck.

[tzsgti]

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[Junebaby]

Congrats

Huzzah for you!

[savingchic]

Welcome. I'm new too

[sandyandry]

Hello welcome to the forum, hope this forum helps you and make your stay happy.

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Budget calculator

[tzsgti]

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