Some true statements

On 04/03/2017 at 05:03 PM by Super Step

First, I don't want anyone knowing how much I make, but I'm quite proud of my budget for March, which I just got done with a 50/30/20 Google Docs Worksheet. Not sure I trust Google with this information, but I am an American. I trust nefarious strangers in exchange for convenience. What are you gonna do?

Here's the ideal pie chart for a 50% needs, 30% wants, and 20% savings budget:

And here's what I did last month, with my birthday and spring break causing me to eat out more (though it was at times paid for) and a bunch of medical crap to take care of (though my insurance is pretty good ... for taking about 23% of my yearly take home pay it damn well better be):

Less than half my paycheck went to needs, about 24.2% went to wants, and the rest was saved up.

Now before I brag too hard, grad school means I pay Uncle Sam about $652 a month; that's on the 10-year plan ... soooo some of my savings (hoarding) is in part inspired by wanting some cushion if I am ever between jobs. I have also target certain loans beyond the minimum $652 (I may go back on income-based repayment before the current administration does something unbecoming ... again) to get things paid down faster. In fact, I might just spend the rest of my wants money on just that, then see how much I have left over.

I do have some bad habits as well. A LOT of that Wants percentage was dining out, and while it's clearly not a huge problem for me financially, it's also an unnecessary expense I could use elsewhere. Same with entertainment. I think I watched a few too many movies between February and last month and still want to see Ghost in the Shell, whitewashing controversy and reviews be damned. It looks good and I want to see it in 3D, if not IMAX.

Still, I am trying not to look at this chart as though it means I did nothing bad habit-wise, but I am still pretty proud of my frugality.

In other true statements news, I'm beginning to see the merit behind zero tolerance policies. I make my students turn things in via Flash Drive or email and tell them to organize everything a certain way in folders and give those folders a particular name. I usually have their back when they do something a little off, but I'm starting to see how it makes me take time out of my day for something they really need to learn to do properly/is their fault, and zero tolerance policies as far as accepting late work can go a long way in being consistent. I can also understand there will always be special circumstances, but lately I see how being too soft hurts us both in the long run.

Anyway, I'm off to work out, grade 20 more projects if my computer lets me, watch the game, and wake up at 4 a.m. to lesson plan.

You're the Raster Master, Pixlbits! (Bonus points for understanding what I just said. teaching PhotoShop makes me remember words. Big words. YUGE WORDS.)

Matt Snee Staff Writer

04/03/2017 at 07:39 PM

you need to smack those students on their ignorant butts.

Nice pie chart. I've never been good with money, so mine's probably haywire.

Super Step Contributing Writer

04/03/2017 at 07:44 PM

Every once in a while I like to break up the monotony of interesting and entertaining blogs with a nice financial pie chart that looks like it belongs in a PowerPoint presentation from 1987.

Don't you?

04/03/2017 at 09:16 PM

SomehOw im able to restrain myself

KnightDriver

04/04/2017 at 12:04 AM

Just saw Ghost in the Shell. I liked it. Could've been either more actiony or more thoughtful. It kind of split the difference. Good though. Glad I saw it.

04/04/2017 at 12:25 AM

I think I'll like it too.

04/04/2017 at 06:58 PM

I had a revelation about Ghost in the Shell's story and how similar it is to Halo's. The influence is really clear to me now.

04/04/2017 at 07:40 PM

Huh. The one I keep hearing is The Matrix as far as movies GitS influenced.

Unfortunately, I think remaking GitS now is odd timing, since it's one of those "inspired everything that came after, but now that people have seen everything that came after it isn't new anymore" movies, like Animal House, Halloween, etc.

04/04/2017 at 07:56 PM

I was told about the Matrix connection a little while ago, but I just thought about the Halo story connection. Seems Ghost got around in the influence department.

I kept joking to my friend after watching it that it was so old fashioned: mind melding to technology. Ha! Not so strange anymore.

daftman

04/05/2017 at 09:21 PM

Nice job on the budgeting! Save all you can now. Your living expenses will never be lower than when you're single. Once you get married and have kids (if you're into that sort of thing), life get expensive really fast.

I really want to see Ghost in the Shell in the theater but I'm not sure we'll manage to get out there. I said the same thing about Dr. Strange and Rogue One and still haven't seen either.

04/05/2017 at 10:02 PM

I plan on that, but only after winning the lottery. I actually cheat a bit by having REALLY inexpensive rent via a deal with my current roommate.

I really to see it in IMAX, but 3D I should be able to see. I hate that it bombed, cause otherwise I'd feel it a safe bet they'd still have it near my parents in IMAX 3D.

goaztecs

04/06/2017 at 12:02 PM

Viva Pie Charts! psst lots of respect for saving. Regardless of how much you make you are at least putting some aside for a rainy day.

After reading what you wrote I should ask Google if she is also working with the CIA, like Siri, and Amazon's Alexa.

Good to see you have a certain way things need to be done in your class. It teaches your students to be responsible. I am jealous that they can turn in work on a Flash Drive. *old college moment* Back in my day I had to turn in projects in a Manila Envelope with the work, a notebook with the details about my work, and if I needed to either a floppy/Zip Disk of my work.

I understand what you said! I also read it in Hagrid's voice when he told Harry he's a wizard. You know many words, the best words!

PixlBit