I don’t understand finances

“Why don’t you just buy a new laptop?”

Ouch.

I know these words were uttered with good intention but they served to remind me of how badly my finances are in order.

I leave for Canada in 2 weeks and I have $100 in savings.

Now this isn’t because I haven’t been working. I have been working. A lot. It’s just that my ability to financially plan is very limited. I don’t really understand money, and I know I’m not alone.

Over half of Australians aged 18-29 have less than $5000 in their bank according to Triple J’s 2018 survey: What’s Up In Your World.

Last year, my social media was filled with pessimistic posts from millenials about student debt, high costs of living, and the inability of millennials to afford a home. I was miserable every time I opened my social media and tired of all of the negativity staring back at me.

It wasn’t until the start of this year that I realised the more I fell into these depressed rabbit holes of negative media, the more these negative posts would turn up in my feed. So I started curating my social media to make it a space that inspires me. I unfollowed over 1000 accounts on Instagram to make sure my feed was filled with the posts from entrepreneurs, creatives, and travelers. People who I looked up to and thought, that’s where I want to be in a few years.

It’s been great, but I’ve now realised there are so many places I’m lacking and need to learn. Particularly financial management.

It’s great to look at these posts from full-time travelers and say “I can do that!” but in reality, it’s a lot harder than it looks, and I’m learning that the hard way.

I leave for Canada in two weeks with only $100 in savings and for the first time, I’ve got to admit one of my crazy ideas isn’t actually possible.

Yes, I have a working visa and a camera to find a form of income when I arrive but it’s unlikely I’ll be let into the country without proof of funds.

I’m lucky to have parents who will loan me the amount necessary for the proof of funds I need when I arrive in Canada however being in debt isn’t something I’m excited about.

It’s time I learn about my finances. It won’t happen overnight but it did start today.