Finances

I am GOING to learn this.

I've tried many times to set up a budget and otherwise develop financial responsibility, and it's always worked for just a little while. Given the adhd, that's probably not going to change. But if I get a little better each time, eventually I'll have enough good habits that I'll be able to stop worrying.

I often learn better if I can cement my knowledge by teaching it to someone else. I'll give lessons to myself if there's no one to teach – I'm always giving little lectures in the shower. So in the interests of learning better, and of being able to relearn once I lose interest in a few weeks and forget everything I know about money, and of maybe helping any friends who could benefit from what I manage to learn, I'm going to put together a little finance course.

There are a few different areas to master. They're all important, but if you do even just one of them, you will already improve your life! I'm going to go into each of them in the order I think makes most sense so that they build on each other, but you can do any one of them without doing the others, and it's better to do all of them half-assed than being perfect at one and neglecting all the others. So pick whichever one seems most doable, or contrariwise pick whichever one you think you're worst at, and let's go!

~ The Elements of Personal Finance ~

• Spend frugally: Do NOT spend money you don’t have! Spend the money you do have judiciously.
• Know your budget: Know how much money you have, and know where you’re spending it.
• Store your money efficiently: Get a good savings account, a good checking account, etc.
• Invest! This one is essential. If you have ANY spare money and you don't think you'll have much energy to do anything on this list, start here. (once I write it lmao)

And remember, the most important lesson, the rule you must never break unless you really know what you're doing: