May 2026
Archive (3)
Budget & Paychecks
My first apartment budget: $1,295 rent on a $1,332 paycheck
May 27, 2026
Rent is about 45% of my take-home pay. The full monthly plan I built before moving and the lines I had to shri…
Cheap Fun & Self-Care
Watching my little brother graduate in Champaign
May 17, 2026
A two-hour drive down I-57, a cap and gown, and my parents crying in the stands. The weekend Nolan finished co…
Credit & Banking
A separate checking account just for rent and bills
May 9, 2026
One account for fixed bills, one for everything else. How I set up the split before moving and how much buffer…