My blog is focused on completing one’s bucket list on a budget, so I think it’s important to be transparent about my own perceptions and financial situation. I am sure dear reader that you have had the experience of seeing an article for chic fashion on a budget or plan a cheap getaway, or save money with these tricks! Only to discover that it was clearly written for a higher class of people. I mean sure, $100 may be a steal of a deal on those shoes, but it’s still $100 for a pair of shoes. Yes, $600 for a round trip to the south pacific islands is quite cheap compared to the usual $1000, but I still don’t have $600 to just drop on a whim.
The median income of a single person in the United States is 37,000. When I was younger, I made closer to 20,000, as a fresh graduate student, I made slightly more about 40,000. It was only in the past year, that I have been making significantly more, 60,000. This pay bump was in part because I completed my LCSW. In posts where I reflect on things I’ve accomplished, they will reflect the limitations of my previous income. Moving forward, I will probably be able to show case items that are a little higher in cost with greater frequency. I no longer have to be quite as picky about the timing of my activities. Before, I may have only been able to afford one “big ticket” experience a year, now I feel freer to indulge a little more often. However, I am not someone who tends to over adjust in spending with increased income. I don’t wish to “keep up with the Jones'”. I have a frugal spirit especially in this era of rapid inflation. I believe that the principles by which I’ve been following to complete my dreams without breaking the bank will continue even with the increase of income in part because the spirit of frugality aligns with my desire to reduce waste and my negative impact on the world. As it turns out, completing a bucket list on a budget is better for everyone.
As someone in the helping professions, even with a Master’s degree, my income will never be as high as other professionals with similar education, licensing and experience. I do have student debt, but I have the privilege of owning my own home. It does come with a pretty significant catch. My disabled mother lives with me and she signed her house over to me a few years back to help protect the asset if her health declines.
So in many ways I’m your average 30 something saddled with student debt and a lower than expected paying job. However, my housing expense is highly offset by living in a house that is paid off and my rent is in the form of property taxes. However, I am helping to support my mom which comes with its own cost. I am not poor nor am I especially rich. This blog is probably more for people who are lower middle class or the struggling millennial and older gen z. That isn’t to say if you aren’t that, it isn’t for you, it is an acknowledgement that my experience will probably speak more to those similar to me. If you are someone who makes more, then this will only assist you in stretching your income even further. For those face larger financial struggles than myself, I hope you are still able to find it useful. I always found it frustrating to be given financial advice that does not apply if one is making so little one is choosing between buying medication or food as my parents had to when my mom was first disabled. It amounts to saying to someone “have you simply tried not being poor?” I will do my best not to send that message.
When I speak about on a budget, I usually mean activities that cost two people between $100 – $200. This usually includes tickets, food and gas. The cost is typically split between myself and my sister meaning that on average I spend between $50 – $100 each month. This cost could easily be split in half with the absence of the meal out. Perhaps instead of dinner and a show, opt for only going to the show, suddenly you are each only spending $25 to $50 each. Sometimes the activity is significantly less, clothes significantly more. You may see posts that are atypical such as cruises, trips out of state or extravagant expenses. You will also see that I talk about saving up for those trips or being able to leverage family connections to help keep costs down. This isn’t about cultivating some sort of image, but to have an honest conversation. After all, part of the point of this was to break through the inauthentic noise of influencers to show how we can have genuine, amazing experiences without breaking the bank or constantly pulling out our passports. You will be surprised at how close to home your dreams really are.
Budget Bliss: Bucket List 