Thanks for the advice!
I have two paid research assistant positions. I’m saving 10%of each paycheck and my parents are matching my income in an Roth ira 
I’ll definitely keep that in mind
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First you say it’s ok to get groceries and then you get all hypocritical with saying some drugs can’t count in the grocery budget.
You’re reading Dave Ramsey all wrong. Every dollar goes towards something specific.
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This is so important. Mine’s done for me automatically which I recommend to anyone. Keeps you from that mindset of “I’ll save 250 next month because I spend more this month.” Done this for so long I couldn’t even tell you when I started (early 20’s I’m sure.)
You read stuff like the average American is 400 dollars or one paycheck type shit away from financial crisis. I’m by no means rich but know that I have the type of rainy day fund to help out with anything barring.
Make it automatic and don’t touch it. Don’t convince yourself it’s raining just because your girlfriends birthday is in February and so is V day.
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I have to do it this way because I’m bad at budgets. They feel like diets and they annoy me. So if it’s in my checking it’ll probably get spent (especially with a wife and kids to do stuff with/for). If I save it before I have a chance to spend it it’s out of sight out of mind.
Funny thing about the emergency fund deal. We had the HVAC at our house go and that was like $8k to replace. Just cut a check. Feeling smug as hell about our emergency fund… then closed a $25M business unit at work (fraud) and had layoffs. Only took 25 days to be working again, but it sucked knowing we just drained the emergency fund.
Looking to go fully debt free including the house ASAP. Never want that feels again.
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It’s a great feeling having zero debt. However, it’s disconcerting that I don’t feel richer with no mortgage.
It’s not about the feels, it’s about the risk. Most workers and families experience unexpected job losses. You’ll be able to weather those with a way smaller emergency fund if you don’t have a mortgage.
True enough. While financial setbacks (ie new furnace) can be annoying, that’s really all it is. I have an odd relationship with money in that I’m always waiting for the ax to fall and like to have plenty of cash on hand, which I hate to touch 
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That’s how I feel about pretty much everything.
That’s why I can’t relate to people who spend money freely, particularly when they don’t have it. My ex was like that.
ETA - I think that people fall into two general categories. Like Aesop’s fables, most people are either ants or grasshoppers. I’m definitely an ant.
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same- and I don’t just do it with money. Last week, I bought 3 quest bars, but still haven’t eaten them because I want to “save them” for a “more special occasion” tbd. Only, every time I think of a “special occasion”, I push it off as I assume there will be a “more special occasion”.
I also always feel the compulsion to have a cushion for everything- even battery life on devices (ie. I’ll plug in if it dips below 50%).
Could personality play a part?
I do the same. I think personality is a big part.
I’m trying to cultivate my inner grasshopper because I think I tend to be a fun suck. I generally won’t let myself enjoy things until I’ve done my work. It’s a bit of a wet blanket tendency.
I openly acknowledged this about myself and have just decided not to give a fuck- helps that I want to go into academia instead if finance now 
Considering that my best friend takes about 2 months to respond to a text- I think I’m good
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