A little bit about $$

Last week I was thrilled at seeing my new paycheck. It was a long time coming, and definitely a boost to my budget. The pay grades that are scheduled throughout the apprenticeship have been a gift in disguise. Even though the early stages (1st year through 3rd) were a tough pill to swallow, being somewhat on the low side of the scale, they also gave me the opportunity to really plan and budget for all of my expenses. Budgeting and saving have not been much of a priority to me in the past because I took it for granted that I would always be working. At the very least, all my bills were paid, and if I ever wanted to save for something big like a vacation, or a luxury purchase, it wouldn't be a thing to just put some cash aside for that high ticket item.

Maybe it's my age sneaking up on me (30 in a few months!), or maybe my eyes are just a little wider now because of these "tough economic conditions", but saving for a rainy day has become more important than ever. To be honest, on my 3rd year wages, I was just breaking even with my monthly expenses. I didn't rack up debt, but I wasn't exactly building a nest egg either. However, I do own a home, and that's something to show for. Thanks to the consistent and reliable income, I've been able to routinely pinch a tiny bit off the top to "pay myself first" through automatic savings. Although the actual figures in that savings may look paltry, the most valuable thing of it has been the habit itself.

I loved Ralph's talk in Book 5 about layoffs and savings. Students in my year are fortunate. We've seen the effects of a terrible recession all around us, and yet most of us have not been touched by it personally. We're still considered somewhat cost-effective on the job, and so have a bit more of a safety net with the apprenticeship. One thing is for sure: I don't take it for granted any more that I will always be working. I've talked to mechanics that I worked with from other companies and they've been out of work for months, and one in particular has been out for over a year. I've seen my company lay off workers who have been with them for 10, 15+ years. It is a fact of this industry. You've got to be tough. But more importantly, you've got to be prepared. Luckily the whole being prepared thing is easy enough to learn for anyone!