Let's start with the truth... Money can't buy love, but it can buy comfort and shoes and chocolate. Your goal for the next few months is to limit the number of shoes and the amount of chocolate that you purchase. To do this, you'll need to develop a plan that takes into consideration the amount of money that you will be bringing in and the amount of money that you will be sending back out. What should be left is comfort.

What does comfort look like for most people? For me (when I was in my twenties), it looked like rent, utilities, transportation, and a little bit of spending money. It also looked like safe, clean, and furnished. Comfort will look different for everyone. You'll need to build a budget that works for you. You'll also need to do it within your means.

If you're a recent college grad, your comfort should include saving some money. However, you might find that difficult in light of student debt. Since you have six months (in most cases) before you start paying those loans back, you'll want to prepare for those payments by practicing to pay all of your bills on time and saving money.

Let’s assume that the annual salary for your first job is $25,000 (adjust up or down as needed) and you are paid semi-monthly. You will have 24 paychecks per year and your gross paycheck will be $1,041.00 (plus change).

From there, you will have deductions starting with taxes and, hopefully, insurance premiums. You may also have additional deductions such as supplemental insurance premiums, personal savings contributions, or retirement.

At a minimum, you should set aside a bit of money every paycheck. You’ll need an emergency fund in case something breaks or you find yourself with a reduced income. The template below provides a realistic example of your gross income, deductions, and final paycheck.

Did you notice how much money you had left after all bills were paid and you set aside a tiny amount of money each month? That's right... $10.00. Hence the "Side Hustle" which can help you bring in some extra money each month. This option may not be for everyone; however, it is doable if you have few commitments and some time on your hands.

This is just a sample starting point for setting your budget. There are multiple ways to meet your budget goals. The most important thing is to make a plan and start working towards living comfortably and independently.