I constantly worry about money. Please help!?

Question

I'm only 17, but I make about $700 during the summer, and about $2400 (starting this month on) per year with my job, plus $750 for babysitting. So about $3850 per year. I'm a senior in HS, so I now have to look for colleges and paying tuition and whatnot. I dont have a car, but I know I'll need one soon.

Anyway, I normally try to save as much money as I can. Without the $2400/per year job, I could save about $1000-$1200 per year. But I'm always so worried about money. We arent really rich in my family, but I've learned to stretch what I have to get the most out of it. This being said, it will be difficult to pay for the car and college come the time. So I'm trying to be as responsible as possible with my spending.

On the other hand, I love to buy little things for myself especially books and movies. I'll buy one of each a book and movie or two per month on top of some of the things that I need (ink for my printer... just stuff that comes up). But everytime I do spend it, I get worried that I'm wasting my money and I'm being careless. I'm always stressed about this stuff and dont want to be because I feel like I'm being cheap, and that just makes me feel even worse. I think being cheap is terrible, but my worries make me feel like this.

Are my worries for nothing? Can I be a little more loose with my money without feeling bad about it? I mean, I'm trying to even it out by saying that I'll have a great job some day and the money I spend now wont matter. So I shoudl try to enjoy myself. Can someone help me even this problem out?

Answer 1

Been there, done that.  Not a problem now.

Libraries are made for people like u, have u been to one for awhile?

Answer 2

I don't want to sound like an a*****e but it seems to me that you ARE worrying for nothing.

What I do is I work as much as I can in the summer, so I made about $10,000 this summer doing manual labor.  I can now chillax all school year by working an EASY job at a music store 2 shifts a week.  And after studying I CAN STILL HAVE MY FUN!  On top of all that, I am in a Student Assistance Program where they give me money for school and I must begin to pay it back with interest when I graduate.  So I don't have to worry about getting kicked out of school for not paying tuition on time.  I'm cruisin!  :D  Life should be enjoyed at our age, so enjoy it DUDE!

Answer 3

I have the same problem and I find that worrying doesn't solve it - but it does help me reach out for help like you did.  Someone told me to "Save for today"  I like to by little things too then worry that I "should have" saved the money b/c "what if"

I just need to deal with what is in front of me AT THIS MOMENT - Stay in the Now

But also plan for the future - but I leave the results in my Higher Power's hands

Answer 4

I too have the same problems. Even though im now in my mid-20s it seem to get worst. There are bills every months that needs to be paid and i always get so scared i might just be left with nothing. My family is not rich either and basically we all had to work for everything....Well. stop feeling guilty about spending your money. you only live for today, you dont know what tomorow brings... so, enjoy what you can now. im sure you will get a good job once you get out of school....