The Girl Who Could

For a while now I've been toying with the idea of doing a mini-series on growing up. At 22, I've hit the point in my life where there are a lot of things that need doing, and even more that need learning. I'm not a life coach or a guru, but I am great at figuring out how to do things. And as I figure them out, I'd like to share them in a series of posts called "The Girl Who Could." They'll be popping up every once in a while - let me know what you think! If they're successful, I'd like to make them a regular link-up, so everyone in the same boat of figuring out life can share their stories!

Without further ado, I give you the first edition of "The Girl Who Could"

I’m not the budget type of person.

I’m more of the “no, I can’t afford it so I won’t buy it” kind of girl. For 22 years.

But budgets? Nope. Never have been. Until today.

Bet you didn’t see that coming.

Neither did I, let’s be honest.

Since the apartment fiasco this weekend, I’ve been thinking a lot about money.

How I spend it, how I shouldn’t spend it, where it should be going … you get the idea.

All this thinking made me realize just how much I didn’t know.

I wanted to be smart but I didn't know how.

This morning while I was groggily stumbling around on the internet,

I found Mint.com.

And something clicked.

Mint.com has the easiest, most user friendly set up I’ve ever seen.

You enter your personal information, bank account information and credit cards on their secure site, which are then linked to the site, as well as your liabilities and loans.

From the second you click “close” all those things are linked, tracked, accounted for, and categorized.

So you’re accountable.

For every gas tank fill-up that makes you cry,

for every Starbucks iced coffee you “had to have,”

for all the end-of-season sale pieces that were crying for a home in your closet.

At the same time, you're also setting goals, making payments on loans, tracking debts and income deposits.

All of these things are shown in user-friendly charts and visuals with links to the transactions that account for them.

This is brilliant.

For example:

This clearly isn't my profile, but to the person who spends $72 dollars at Starbucks a month, I say dude, you should probably get that habit checked on. For real.

The "Ways to Save" tab offers everything from credit card deals to investment options and insurance company profiles. Having a multitude of information (though it certainly isn't all-inclusive) all on one page makes coming to an informed decision just that much easier.

They also offer email and SMS updates, which I immediately signed up for. 

Let me tell you, it is a game changer.

Making the choice to be an active participant in your financial life is a huge step, and the first move towards financial independence. I may not have the greatest income (fact) and I may have student loans out the wazoo quickly approaching (also, fact), but I've made the decision to be smart about my money, and I think the rewards will be great.

Have any comments or hints to share? The "comment" button's a great place to start ;)