there are just a few things...

... that just bite about being a student again.

As much as I love (LOVE!) the path I'm on, I can't say I've ever been one of those "itsallaboutthejourney."  Umm, negative.  I'm a destination girl.  I'm not so much interested in all the tourist spots on the WAY to the beach, I'm just ready for my toes to hit the water. 

So what bites about starting allll over and going back to school at nearly 30? Well, for one, the waiting.

Now, I guess I should feel fortunate that at least I'm not starting completely from scratch.  My previous 4+ years spent at a higher-learning institution that resulted in a fancy BS diploma does give me a sort of "skip ahead" card, as once I'm done with my prereqs, I get to start the program and in 16 months have my bachelors in nursing, but still.  That means I'll be turning 32 the year I graduate!  Don't think I haven't kicked myself in the pants for not thinking about all this earlier.

Next? Lemme give you a hint.

Good ol' Benji looks good with that graduation cap on, doesn't he?

Between the moolah I'm forking out for a quality education, the student loans that are helping out, the LACK of money coming in now that I'm a full-time student again, and having normal living expenses (actually, sub-normal, if you consider the fact that our apartment might as well be the ghetto of the Wooten Co. properties, but still, you get the point) the dollar just doesn't stretch like it used to.  And I'm not gonna lie, my hips aren't bouncing back from the ramen-noodle diet like they used to!

One day, if I'm brave enough, I'll have to break down the input vs output that is the sad state of my budget right now.  But suffice to say there is no scale balancing the two sides.  No.  The input vs. output of my budget is about as balanced as, say the Vienna vs. Ali camp on last season's Bachelor.  One-sided.  VERY one-sided.

Don't get me wrong... I know it's worth it, and I'm okay with sacrificing some now for later.  I wouldn't have sold my house and used the proceeds to pay for the first semester if I didn't.  But still. It bites.

Perhaps I'll find some amazing tips to be a frugalista student and still be able to plan and do activities as a fun family. :)  Stay tuned to find out.