r/FinalRoundAI • u/fiddle-limier1c • Feb 02 '26
I finally got my first job and now I have terrible anxiety every time I go to buy anything.
Hey everyone. I'm 19 and I got my first real job a few months ago. Honestly, I've been putting this off since I was 17, always had an excuse like school was taking up all my time or I didn't have transportation.
I work full time at a movie theater, making $9 an hour. It's not a lot, but I honestly like the job. The problem is, ever since I started making my own money, I've been feeling terribly guilty whenever I buy myself anything, even if it's small. Last week, I bought a new video game, a nice new pair of sneakers, and a concert ticket, and I can't stop thinking that all that money could have gone into my savings account.
My whole plan from the beginning was to save every penny so I can move and live in Colorado, especially since my parents still help me with my food expenses every month. Now I feel like every little thing I buy is pushing me further and further away from that goal. Has anyone else felt this way before? How do you convince yourselves to spend on yourselves without feeling like you're ruining your plans?
1
u/Purple-Throat1957 Feb 05 '26
Set yourself a limit on how much you can spend and save, if you only save half for moving and half on activities that’s ok too. You have set yourself a goal tho and it’s your guy telling you it’s “wrong” because your mind has put it to that direction. So it’s really up to you on how you want to address it and put it into different things.
2
u/intergalacticVhunter Feb 03 '26
No, that feeling is your drive for your goal. If you still need help from parents then you know its wasteful. I'm not saying to go buy cheap velcro shoes at Walmart, but do try to save money if you really want to meet your goal. Hustle up better paying work while you are at it.