Over the past week or so I gave up posting because there was just too much to do with moving and driving across the country to do so. It was hard enough to just make that happen, so I figured blogging here about the money aspect wasn’t exactly helpful. It felt stressful so I let it go.
The move ended up not being too bad financially. Sure it cost in gas, but food and lodging was really affordable. Since I know people almost everywhere I stayed with friends most nights and only had to stay in a hotel once. I packed a cooler full of food I bought at Walmart before I left, so I didn’t have to stop to buy much food either. I ended up eating out a few times just because I wanted hot food instead of cold turkey sandwiches. All in all the total for my cross country trip/move was $434.41! Honestly that’s about what I thought it would be and it’s a lot cheaper than a road trip across the country could be. I’m glad I saved/worked for the money first and cut corners to make it fit my budget while still making it a lot of fun.
Of course, I’d be doing a lot better if I hadn’t just spent that much money. I know it was a sort of financially unnecessary thing since the move was only a temporary one, but the move was necessary for my well being and quality of life. Sometimes things are about more than money. Plus, I’m living very cheaply with a roommate here and I’ve already got a part time job, in addition to my income from other sources. I think I will be able to save up money again over the next two months or so before I make another move. That one is mostly already paid for thankfully. But I still need to save up for the next roadtrip I have to take before I move again.
It feels like all I do is save up money for travel and moving. Perhaps if I ever settle in one place I’ll be able to save and actually figure my finances out. I’m really good at saving, but I’m really good at spending too (mostly on travel). But I really do believe once I’m set and stay in one place and get the fixed expenses like rent and utilities down to a science, I’ll be able to save up and do well for myself. My main problem is that everything is constantly changing. I love that for many reasons, but I hate that because it makes money hard to deal with. I love my crazy life, but it is really crazy.
