How To: Survive in the Real World

I am in no way an expert on this topic, especially considering I have not really had much experience with the real world.

Jobs: I have recently discovered that the skills I have learned from the jobs I have taken in high school are: how to care for people, plants, dogs, and houses. Pretty much, that qualifies me for a list of jobs I can get. Most jobs involve people and any job that doesn't may include one of the other things I mentioned. How did I get that experience in my small community before I left the house or got even one 'real' job? Well, simple. I took almost every small job I could. I babysat, which helped me learn how to care for people. I cleaned people's houses, which got me house experience. And, I got to dog-sit at the person's house (because my family was not dog people) to learn how to care for plants and dogs. It helped to live in a community where everyone was friends with everyone and we were all trustworthy. I know this is not available for all of those, but if there are even a few friends or families that are trustworthy and trust you, make yourself available! This opened up doors for me to get some jobs that are closer to real jobs, and this is all great to put on a resume.

Budgeting: This is one skill that it seems most adults seem to be lacking, but something that I care a lot about. Even from a pretty young age, when I gained cash from a gift or a job I was not eager to spend it because then I did not have it. Now, as a teen who does not have to worry about food costs or anything of the sort, I feel like any purchase that is over $20, and sometimes even $10 I have to put real thought into getting it. Will this get good use? Do I really need this? Is there a cheaper option that gets the job done at a good enough quality? Is this a worthwhile investment? Many of these questions are what are circling through my head when I am choosing whether it is a worthwhile investment or not. Funny to think about it this way, but two items come to my attention when I used this method. About three years ago, towards the beginning of my high school, both of my younger siblings chose to use their spending money to buy a bead bag chair. I was all for it because I loved that they could spend their money (this is a different note I will cover later). Yet, a few weeks later I was looking at them and I noticed the story finally had a few of the chairs that were in my color. It was about $20 and I totally had the money to spend with nothing else in mind, but I just did not want to do it. I finally agreed with persuasion from my sister, and somehow she helped me pay for it because I did something for her ( I don't remember all the details). The second instance was a facial roller (All guys- back off! If you don't know what I mean, deal with it.) After asking those questions I chose not to get it (it was about $12) because I did not really need it. Yet, I will admit I have made so many bad purchases- of things that I did not need- when I forgot to use this method.
On the other note I mentioned above, I guess it helped that my siblings and I had this competition going. Whenever we earned money from Christmas or at one of our birthdays we would compete for the next months (I guess it never really ever ended) about who could have the MOST amount of money. So, the goal was to not spend your money. This all started because I was the saver and both of my siblings were spenders. My sister tried to change her ways, but her method was awful. Then, this somehow hit it off one January. We would always talk about who spent how much and do the math to see who was winning the competition. This has probably helped me make less crazy purchases, and really helps my sister. This works for my youngest sibling who is my only brother for like two months, and then all of his money is gone. He cannot hold back the urge.
So, how to budget money, though? What percentage, what amount? I do not think there is too much of a secret "this works for everyone" amount. I was told via my father who is wise at spending money that as a young adult by yourself, $70 a week for food is reasonable. Of course, he probably got that from when he was single, about 16 years ago but after checking the math I KNOW I could live well on $70 dollars of food a week if I buy a few items that can last me more than one day- like a breakfast bar package. I'm not going to bother giving percentages on all of those other things that adults need to buy, but I will throw out a list of things you should consider adding to your budget that you may forget about sometimes. Oh, and my family used YNAB, which is an app that helps you manage your budget if you program in the numbers. It is not too time-consuming, and it is so worth it. Some things to add to your budget include food, clothes, vacation/ special occasions/dates (you can make these separate if you want, but don't put too high of a percentage here), savings (for retirement, emergency fund, or simply savings [or all three, separate]), giving, utilities, rent/housing, transportation (gas, or bus money), taxes, gifts, education (for you or your kids, or your kids to come maybe!), retirement/insurance, debts.

I know there is so many other categories to add. Again, make a comment letting me know what I need to add as I can always come back later and edit this.