Most Marines live paycheck to paycheck. I wouldn’t say Marines suck with money because when the time comes to make it from the 1st to the 15th, some Marines have a temporary financial plan that takes account of every penny. It makes me laugh how most financial problems can be easily avoided with some sort of budget. A budget is a simple financial plan that you make up to make sure you know where your money is going. Even if you don’t have financial problems, I highly recommend that you take an hour out of your day once a month (or 3 months) and write down how much money is coming in and how much money is going out and to where it is going to.

You’d be surprised how much money you blow away on Monsters and alcohol during the weekend.

A basic budget looks something like this

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Budget for Oct 2012:

Money Coming in:
Monthly Paycheck: $995 (Underestimated LCPL pay)
Bank Interest: $5
———————–
Total coming in: $1,000

Money Going Out
Cleaning supplies: $40
Weekend food: $60
Entertainment: $100
Alcohol: $300
————————
Total going out: $500

Total at the end of Oct (Money In – Money Out):
$1000 – $500 = $500

I should have $500 left over.

====================

Assuming that this “imaginary LCPL” can keep this up for 4 years (48 months), he should have saved at least $24,000.

How can you tell if you’re like shitbag Steve? If you know what an overdraft fee is, chances are that you are financially unstable.

Living off the ATM since 1775.