Journal Entry

The major concept that I learned after reflecting back on the budget assignment is the idea of using a program such as Microsoft Excel (or even pen and paper, really) to lay out all my budgeting. The reason I feel this is so important is that it will help me greatly to stay organized with my finances not only throughout school, but even throughout life. Another important fact I observed throughout the budget assignment was the information of numerous websites that I am able to access in order to help me as with my finances/loans such as www.nslds.ed.gov, www.bls.gov/oco, and https://loanconsolidation.ed.gov/AppEntry/apply-online/appindex.jsp.

I have learned several things from this budget assignment, and many relate to my own goals. Whether it be my personal, educational, or career goals, they all fall into the same category when it comes to my desire for succeeding. In my opinion, if I am able to stay organized financially, then it will be much easier for me to stay on track for my goals, as my finances won’t be a stressor in my life. Not only that, but having a visual (such as a spreadsheet) of my budgeting will help me to much easier see the financial opportunities that could blossom before me as I go throughout life. For example, if I am able to see my future planned income and it displays to me that I will be able to survive easily in the money department, it will only motivate me that much more to complete my goals.

At the current moment, I don’t feel as though I am prepared to enter a student loan payment; primarily because of my current income. Fortunately, I plan on being completely prepared for it when the time comes by obtaining a job that provides more than enough money to pay off my student loans in a reasonable manner. Also, I do feel as though I understand how to get started with my student loan payment; as this budget assignment helped me quite a bit to understand how to stay on track when it comes to making sure my student loans are...