student on a budge | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Adulting

Yeah, I’m A Student Who Has To Watch Her Budget, But I Still Afford Myself Some Luxuries

By allowing myself luxuries when possible, I am being responsible in other aspects of my life

39
Yeah, I’m A Student Who Has To Watch Her Budget, But I Still Afford Myself Some Luxuries

Being a college student, there will always be times when you identify as "broke." That doesn't always mean broke in the objective and literal sense, but it's fitting all the same. But, regardless of whether or not you think you're broke, as a college student, you're almost always on a budget.

Living on a budget is stressful, to say the least. And while every budget is different and relative to income, college inevitably means just scraping by.

Even if you have financial support and/or come from a family of money, there will be times when spending habits force you to budget. Such as making a grocery list or only what you need instead of what you want. Times when you plan out and realize you only have enough to cover bills and rent. Those and many more college stressors can make you feel overwhelmed.

But, when those times come, when I feel overwhelmed and completely stressed-out, I take comfort in the few luxuries I have allowed myself.

Luxuries are relative to each person's lifestyle, but for me, they include things like candles, wax melts, face masks, take-out/delivery once in a while, a few impulse buys when shopping, and décor for my apartment. No, I don't buy all of these at once. But, I do think that having and allowing yourself a few luxuries can help relieve some stress and self-esteem damaging thoughts.

When you end up living on a budget, which inevitably happens at times, you can start to develop ideas and thoughts that hurt your mental health. You can start to think things like "you're not worth it," or "if you bought this, then you're not being financially responsible," or "if you can't manage your money now on basic things, how can you manage after college." And those are just some of the thoughts that can pop into your head.

I've lived my life on some version of a budget for as long as I can remember. That doesn't mean that I have almost nothing, or that I am always scraping by, but I do mean that I've developed a certain perspective on items and money.

I don't think I'm perfect about handling my money, but that's fitting for a young adult. I do think though that by allowing myself luxuries when possible, I am being responsible in other aspects of my life.

This might come off as materialistic, and to some extent it is, but generally, everyone needs some change and difference thrown into their lives to keep it exciting and manageable. In this way, luxuries can actually be considered necessities, because these "materialistic" luxuries bring joy and peace of mind to life. A peace of mind that reassures you in your actions and choices.

Sometimes you need that immediate satisfaction of that food you're craving or a new piece of décor. Little things, while they do add up, also help level-out the constant stress that college requires.

And, for those of us who don't have much money to spend or who want to be as financially responsible as possible, there are ways to have your version of luxuries in your life. I grew up on deals, sales, and clearance, and there's nothing wrong with getting what you want for a bargain. I just have to try and remind myself to see something for its value to me as opposed to its price tag.

I'm not sure if there is a perfect balance or a perfect science, but I do think that self-love and confidence can come in many forms. And it's okay if that form is sometimes a new purchase or luxury if that's what you need to remind yourself that you're worth it.

In the end, money can buy a version of happiness, but it can't buy true happiness. And as long as you remember that while you budget, you might just find your version of a balance in your life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

6092
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

120221
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

1707
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

1218
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments