Balling on a Budget - A Way of Life

1. Ever deeply relate to the Schoolboy Q lyric "home of the paid on the first, then going broke by the third"?
2. Do you feel as though there is a literal hole in your bank account, pocket, and coin purse?
3. Is there a possibility you don't even recall swiping your card 5 minutes after doing so?

If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, you may have a spending problem. While not an uncommon issue, overspending can cause some serious stress and anxiety. I've learned the hard way that budgeting is not only a technique your parents tried to teach you that bored you to tears, it is also a way of life. Especially as a college student, it's almost criminal how easy it is to make it rain for food, new threads, and other expenses. But trust, if you can learn to ball on a budget, you will never go without nor end up with only $20 to your name ever again.

#119's Tips and Tricks to Budgeting:

• Don't Be Afraid To Say No
• If your friend invites you to a ball-out spree at your local mall but you know your rent is due in a couple of days, don't be afraid to decline. The temptation is very real, and if you show up thinking "I just won't buy anything", there's a good chance you'll leave with that clean pair of sneaks you couldn't find in your size 3 weeks ago. 
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• Set Aside Treat Yo Self Funds
• Coming from two young women who shop more than we should, we know that shopping is a hard habit to break, and no one is saying you have to quit cold-turkey. When you get paid, make sure to allot funds meant to be spent on a day or two frolicking through the streets singing Throw It In The Bag by Fab. This way, your shopping is guilt free and won't break the bank.
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• Plan Ahead
• It may make you feel like your mom, but taking time to plan out what you're going to spend and where can save you a lot of stress and money. We love to use the Notes app on our iPhones to make a list of the necessary spending (i.e groceries, bills, savings) as well as noting our Treat Yo Self Funds. Set a maximum spending amount for each category so that you don't go overboard. 
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• Man, Check Your Account
• Ignorance is NOT bliss, people. When it comes to your money, you should know what's going down in your bank account. So stay up to date on your recent purchases by downloading your banks mobile app to access your account balance whenever you want.
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• Don't Spend What You Don't Have
• It's all too easy to spend knowing that you're going to get paid in a few days, but try avoiding this method. If you practice this run dry-refill way of life, you'll never actually see any progress in your bank account.

If we've succeeded and motivated you, hopefully your next step will be to get your finances in order and still manage to get what you want. Don't live that diving for dimes lifestyle, save up and stack that paper y'all.