Old Notebook

I found an old notebook (before my discovery of Moleskine); and I was mesmerized by the old me. At 24, I was just starting to create a budget, pay off my credit cards, and save for retirement. At the time, my parents were paying my car payment and car insurance. I wouldn't have been able to make ends meet because my roommate had skipped town and I couldn't find another one. I cancelled my cable, turned down my heat, and paid $785/month for rent.

I was making about $33,000 and contributing about $5k to my retirement accounts. I hadn't opened my Roth IRA, and I had no serious savings accounts. I was single, working on being happy, developing personal hobbies, and struggling to find out what I wanted to do with my life.

After reading my old entries, I know I'm much happier now. I feel more secure about money. I take my boyfriend for granted. I used to struggle to fill my time alone. Now I enjoy my time alone and get annoyed if people impose on my alone time. I have also settled on a field for graduate school. I also was much more concerned about personal hygiene habits--shaving, hair cuts, styling hair, wearing make-up, etc. I'm still a girly girl, but I won't die if my toe nail polish is smudged!