How to Live Large on an Entry Level Budget

How to Live Large on an Entry Level BudgetYouve finally landed an entry level job and everything has been going well.Youve gotten your first pay stub and youre excited and ready to go out and spend that money on extravagant items. BUT WAIT, theres one thing you forgotyouve got bills to pay Now you find yourself in a position where you have to create a budgetso that you dont spend yourmoney carelessly. Being an adult is tough work, but if you follow these 6 steps, you can develop an effective budget that will leave money in your pocket while still living large googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) 1.Plan your budgetThe first, fruchtwein obvious, step, is to make a budget. Mint is a great app that helps you track what you have coming in and where it goes where you spend it. It nudges you to remember to save some money for fun things like entertainment, but also helps you save for large purchases or even retirement investments.2. Rent cheaper apa rtmentsYou have to live somewhere and it can be tempting to plattl the coolest neighborhood or the shortest commute, near where your friends live or right by your favorite music venue. But casting your net a bit wider, geographically speaking, may help you maximize your floor plan while minimizing your monthly rent expenses.3.Cook your own foodReal Talk My first year of employment and New York living, the Chinese takeout near me knew my out-of-state area code and order so well theyd answer the phone with, Yes, Virginia, steamed dumplings and? It was not a good look. As a newly fledged adult Ive learned to cook the basicsproteins, pasta, roasted vegetables. Salt and pepper. Cooking even the simplest things is better for you than living on leftoversand making smart (cheap) choices for breakfast and lunch lets you save a few bucks for a nice meal out now and then.4. Work on your bargain hunting skillsGet to know the stores that take consignment or accept trades. Sell back old textbooks . Build up your eBay skills so your listings are polished and professional, and see how your collectible former fads fare on the resale market.5.Enjoy the FREE festivitiesMuseums and libraries are your new best friends outdoor concerts are your bread and butter. Gallery openings, tourist offerings, offseason events with discounted fees, and of course apps like Groupon can all help you make the most out of that limited entertainment budget Mint helped you set aside6. Take advantage of company perksThis will all depend on where youre working, but often corporate employers have partnerships with entertainment venues, fitness centers, or educational organizations. They may even offer public transit rebates Figure out how to make the most out of your employers strategic alliances to secure experiences or goods and services that make your life betterAnd finally, remember that this too shall passevery annual review is a chance for a cost of living increase or a title bump. Eventually you w ill look back and wonder how you saved up all this moneyand itll be because you developed responsible habits when you didnt have much to spend.