Feb: Starting Again.

Posted on February 3, 2009 3 Comments

I was on a weird sort of self-imposed hiatus during the month of January, as you may have noticed. A sprinkling of writer’s block, a dash of winter blues and some good ol’ (long) recession-style office hours have conspired to stop my usually creative and energetic self from doing much of anything lately. But I haven’t stopped thinking about this blog or my finances. And I’m not alone (about my finances, I mean).

Now that we’re officially in a recession, as companies cut thousands of jobs every month and Americans reduce spending, everyone from Vogue to MTV seems to be writing, talking or offering advice about personal finances. It’s a scary, unsecure world out there and nobody seems to know when it’s getting better. My challenge is to figure out where The Budgeting Babe fits into the new dichotomy. Neither an expert nor someone who’s struggling to start out anymore, what can this site offer to girls and guys who are trying to find a place in the world?

Well, I’m someone who has been affected by the recession – my 401k is tanking, I’ve decided not to buy a place this year due to all the economic uncertainty and now that B’s laid off, we’re soon to become a one-income household – but I’m not overwhelmed and living month-to-month, either. I’m navigating the waters just like you, and hoping that we all come out OK in the end.

That said, I think a lot of smart, talented, young men and women are just now learning that in order to survive on their own in this new economy, they must live on a tight budget. Many of my friends who were living the good life a few years ago – partying every weekend, eating expensive dinners out, buying trendy clothes – are now being forced to develop a budget and (gasp!) stick with it.

Thankfully, that’s one area where I can help. So I plan to go back to basics and write more about what it takes to create a budget, how to stay to true to your plan, how to occupy your time when you have no cash and, of course, how to find a great deal (and look good doing it). Things will still be scary out there and we’ll continue to talk about what’s going on since so many of us are affected by it. It’s a new world, but I’m still the same girl.

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