Starting to Budget

          I think God has really encouraged me to start learning about budgeting for real this time. I think He has shown me that by lowering my money status. I will be honest with you all. God has taken me out of my comfort zone by making me learn about budgeting. I have always had enough money to feel comfortable about where I was financial but since this past summer that status has changed and I have been freaking out a lot and stressing over it a lot. I am pretty good at saving money but it still worries me enough to where I don't spend a lot when I am low on money.
         I have had to ask family members and friends about how to set up a budget, how to spend on some things, and other things. Now, yes, I have learned how to shop cheaper and how to look for sales and so on. I was taught that in college in my homemaking classes but back then, I was stubborn enough to think that I will never need to use them but now I look back and see that I do really need to use them. It even gets worse when you get married. I keep thinking that it is hard while being single but it will even be harder when you get married. As a single, you have one bank account and one person to worry about but of course, when you get married you have two people to worry about.
         I have really been blessed not to worry about college debt because I went and worked for my college debt so I'm thankful for that because it would make things even harder for me to understand. Comparing my single account and seeing married people's account is a big difference and something that gives me anxiety. I was never good at math or numbers so I don't know if I can handle two people's money. I think that is also why I am so scared to start budgeting because it does take time to plan and think but with everything else in life it is so hard to take the time to do it.
        You really have to search for the cheapest stores, plan meals and events, and so on. You can't just go and have fun. I'm learning you really have to think and research about it. I know I get my worry about my money from my grandma and I am very careful with it because of her and I am thankful for that but it really gets me anxious. I keep thinking if I can't do it by myself then how can I do it for two people. I really think and believe that that is something God is working on in me and getting me ready for marriage. I know if He doesn't fix that problem now, then it will be a stressful thing for me in marriage.
         I hate to say this but it could make my marriage really stressful if I don't understand it now and work on it now. Getting low on money like where I am now or feel like where I am now, it is a good thing even though I don't think so sometimes. It is hard to see in the present right now, but it is good that God is trying to teach me these things. I am also thinking about what I want to see and use in the future too. Do I want to use only debt cards or credit cards or both? Do I want to use checks and cash and no kind of cards?
        But here I got to thinking, debt cards can be dangerous because it is easy to get your account number. Credit cards can get you in debt if you don't pay them off but then again if you make sure to pay them off they are better then debt cards. There are advantages to use credit cards especially online but you have to know how to use them and make sure to pay them off. It is easier to use credit cards because if people get you number you don't lose anything like you would on a debt card.
        I'm also learning about how if you do any payment plans like car, land, or house payments or loans. I'm learning the longer you are taking to pay them off the more you are paying. The quicker you pay it off, the easier it is for you and the more money you save. Money things and accounts are so hard to understand and keep track of but I am trying to understand it all so I can have a better life and marriage because I don't want my future husband to see me stressed all the time. I need to help with the money. I could just let my future husband deal with the money but then again, do I trust him? :)
         It is strange how God has given me job that I like and can handle right now, yet He is teaching me how to handle money. I think He has given me a low paying job right now so I can learn all these things. In a way, I need to worry just a little bit because that is how I learn the big things. I know that is funny but that is the truth.