8 19 am pdt   [ budgeting ]

To date, six studies of abstinence-only programs have been published. None of these studies found consistent and significant program effects on delaying the onset of intercourse, and at least one study provided strong evidence that the program did not delay the onset of intercourse. Thus, the weight of evidence indicates that these abstinence-only programs do not delay the onset of intercourse. A study of 7,326 seventh and eighth graders in California who participated in an abstinence-only program found that the program did not have a measurable impact upon either sexual or contraceptive behaviors. Nearly two-thirds of teenagers think teaching "Just Say No" is an ineffective deterrent to teenage sexual activity.

Everytime I read about the failure of poor sex ed, I think that I would love to volunteer to teach it. I have apparently thought this for a long time, because last night I stumbled across a ripped out volunteer request from Planned Parethood to do just that, in the depths of my room. I was on a paper finding rampage, looking for old bills and bank/credit card statements.

I used to use Quicken just to input my bank statements, but now I have decided to go full force with all my credit cards and even an account to keep track of my cash spending. I am going to do a real budget for a bit, and see how it turns out.

I made my own categories for gas, books, music, and plants. Miscellaneous is for any odd one-time purchase (such as renting a robe for graduation). Loaned out money is for things I purchased for other people; I was usually reimbursed in cash. I try to put everything on my Discover Card, as evidenced by the $112.84 cashback bonus I recieved for purchases made from February 1999 - February 2000. That is a 1% bonus, so I'll let you do the math. Most of my purchases last year were computer related or were for someone else, which I theoretically got reimbursed for.

So I downloaded what statements I could from the web, then rounded up every paper statement I could locate and typed it up before ripping it into quarters and sticking it in the recycling bag. I'm so glad we recycle paper here. I cleaned out a bunch of stuff from my room last night, and I intend to do more today.

Yes, this conceivably falls within my obsession with documenting. I used to be very good about getting recipts, but then they would just pile up, and I did get lazy as the end of college approached. I must confess that there were some months when the thought of writing a single check to pay my credit card bill felt like much too much. I vow to never feel that way again. If I do, I must make an immediate lifestyle change.

And we shall see what kind of small salary I can live by. My dad's friend does placement for computer specialists and insists that he can get me a six figure job but I know I won't like the work, and since I don't have any debt to pay off, I am going to indulge my desire for a fun job. I can always take an obscenely high paying job next year... I've lost my train of thought.