Day 211 - A Month into the Burn

Well I have now been in my new VISTA position for about 4 weeks and I feel like a LOT has happened! I am also a month into my official new budget, so I have lots to report back on as well as suggestions for improvement.

VISTA:
It is so awesome meeting small business owners in the city of Chicago. It is especially interesting meeting entrepreneurs in the neighborhoods CCV seeks to serve (low to moderate income). These business owners have a totally different set of challenges on top of running their business. I have primarily been working with clients on the Southside - Bronzeville specifically - assessing how I can help them build a marketing plan. Some of the clients are going through a more formalized process by enrolling in a 4-month marketing class that CCV has created and others I am just working on ad-hoc development. I also get to meet entrepreneurs with high-growth potential through our Challenge Grant application which utilizes a totally different set of skills in assessing. Needless to say I find the work interesting and I have things to keep me busy.

In terms of integrating into the culture of CCV I think I'm doing an alright job. The whole staff is very nice and welcoming. I'm getting over the culture shock of working with 14 people. I am also trying to get used to such a loose structure, like not reporting to anyone specifically and having no direct accountability for anything. I'm just trying to remain open minded and eager to learn as much as possible.

Budget:
Ugh - this budget is not fun. The way I currently have it structured is I am subsidizing a portion of my monthly income with my savings since my volunteer stipend isn't enough to cover my living expenses given my rent (which I knew would be the case). Since I don't want to totally wipe out my savings I'm trying to keep that subsidized amount low and subsequently am on a very tight budget. So...lessons learned good & bad:

Good:

• Using the Dave Ramsey envelope system has proven rather effective. It has primarily kept my frivolous spending to a minimum since I have very little allocated for shopping and entertainment - so once its out, its out!
• I used to think food was something I didn't have to track too closely, but I was wrong! Food adds up quickly. So I've been very conscious of actually creating meal plans so I buy just what I need and less food goes to waste.
  
• I actually feel like I see the city in a different way now. I'm on "the other side" somewhat, constantly thinking about where every dollar goes. I find it sort of humbling and a good life lesson. I'll definitely know the value of a dollar when this is over.
  

Bad:

• So the problem with having savings is just that. I have extra money in my account that I'm constantly aware of. I find myself sometimes thinking "well...I COULD get that...I HAVE the money..." but then I have to remind myself that good budgeting now will have a future Lauren thanking me (come next summer for example).
  
• Ivy. Ugh - I love that cat but she totally messed up my budget this month. Her vet bill was outrageous. And I spent a lot of time trying to figure out "how to make her comfortable" by trying different litters and litter boxes and foods and beds. My guess is she's pretty comfortable now. But I will have to watch spending on my little roommate.
  
• Socializing sort of stinks. I just can't go out to the bar or dinner or wherever as frequently. I mean I guess I COULD go and not buy anything, but that's a little weird.
  

In general the budget is working out. But I don't love it. And I'm not totally sure what I'm going to do come time to do big MBA application stuff. That's not a cheap process. I've started babysitting a little on the side and am trying to use that for "MBA savings" but I'll need A LOT more baby-sitting jobs before I have enough to cover the cost of visiting and applying to schools.
Well - every little bit counts.

Bring it on October!