Since arriving in Champaign and beginning my studies in Library and Information Science I have wondered if I chose the correct program.  More often than not I don't think I did.  The further into this program I get, the less interested I am in working at a library; I would prefer some other form of non-profit work.  This feeling has led me to my current choice of courses and I am taking the very creativity inspiring Financial Management course offered this fall.

Our first assignment was to construct a Balance Sheet to determine our current Net Worth and then create an analysis of our Income/Expenses for the month of July.  What the assignment neglected to take into account was the fact that as a graduate student paying for school with loans, all of these numbers come with caveats.  I cannot have a positive net worth until I begin to pay of my loans and have paid over at least a quarter of them (net worth includes items I currently or already own, so that helps a bit).

At first, this gave me a bit of a panic.  There were a few terrifying red numbers yelling at me from my beautifully organized spreadsheet.  But, as I went through the rest of the exercise, I realized that I actually do not spend much money on myself.  My costs in July were largely related to having gone to spend time with friends and enjoy their company for free or for the cost of mussels and a beer.

Once the initial panic wore off, I looked at where my finances are at the moment and realized that as of the end of August, I am ahead on my budgeting for rent by an entire month, which means I can save my pennies for fun things like flying to Singapore or France or taking a week away from work for Christmas or Thanksgiving.  This is far better than how I began last year, paying for everything out of savings and watching it all go slowly away.  For the first time in almost two years, I am adding to my savings each month instead of breaking even or going backwards.  Hooray!

Does this mean I am (or have to be) a grown up?

Maybe.  Maybe not.  But now I think I will try to arrange that kayaking trip I've been thinking about.