Financial Anxiety and our Generation [Free-writing]

Between the increasing credit card debt, $405 monthly student loan payments and the infinite interest, I don’t have much left over. I work full-time and make well over the minimum wage. My car is aging and repairs are getting pricey, but it’s still cheaper than a car payment. I could be more frugal and I could drink less. I’m better off than a lot of Millennials. Those of you that have $100,000 in debt, my advice might not matter, but I’ll try to relate to an extent. I sat down today and set my budget to the penny. Debt seems to be the trend of our generation.

I’ve reviewed my finances before and thought to myself, “Fuck. I do pretty well. Where’d all my fucking money go?” Sure, I don’t make six digits, but I should have plenty to live the 30 year old’s American Dream and a salary that the minimum wage earner would long for. I’ve yelled out and blamed myself and my friends for making me spend too much money on booze and entertainment. That night I lost $500 gambling in Vegas or that drunken night I blew my casino winnings at the strip club. Still, entertainment’s not the main problem. Strip clubs and casinos are not good places for me and I don’t frequent them. I recognize that I blow money on silly things and other things that provide some dopamine to battle the depression many of us suffer from.

In 2018, I spent what I make in a month — in one month. I was forced to take on debt. There really wasn’t any other option. My $1500 ER trip with another $200 copay, $2100 car repair, and $1500 blown applying to schools that I didn’t even go to because of financial anxiety. I figured the best financial decision was to stay put in Los Angeles and save $500 per month while paying down my credit card balances. Without the student loan payment, I could easily reduce my debt. Unfortunately, that loan payment will be with me for at least 10 years.

Don’t ever be embarrassed by the money mistakes you’ve made. No one ever taught you and you never learned — Maybe you thought you’d learned until that medical bill or car repair came knocking at the door. Write down a plan and stick to it. It’s good to have cash on hand and be confident in managing your debt. Know that you’ll blow money on some stupid shit in Vegas or on vacation. Maybe the local brewery’s your vice. You might want to make some friends that don’t drink so much. Check out books from the library and grab groceries twice a week.

I know it’s hard with impending debt and inevitable depression that many of us experience. Learn from those lessons and recognize that despite saving money being rigged against you, you can meet your goals. Take charge and own your finances. Don’t lie to yourself. Set a strict budget for a few months and take a look at how much you’ve saved. I’ll be guiding you every step of the way with the Millennial Money series. Don’t fret. Just read the blog and I’ll do my best to help you recognize that many others are going through the same struggles as you.