opinions // 20 Don't be that guy: Mine, mine, mine » Learn to receive others’ suggestions and try something new Mercedes Deutscher Staff Writer he absolute worst thing about watching Netflix with others is when you have to } : times a month. watch it with That Guy. That Guy will insist on watching How I Met Your Mother. Not that it’s a bad show, but you've seen it too many times. You suggest trying out House of Cards, but you're only met with an exasperated sigh, and end up watching Breaking Bad again. This is frustrating, and it doesn’t apply only to Netflix. If you and That Guy go to get something to eat, it’s like pulling tooth and nail to get them to try something new. Want to go check out that new attraction in town? That Guy doesn't. Don't be That Guy in your : friend group. Take a moment to think : about it. Your favourite things : became your favourite things : through experience. You : decided to give them a try and : ended up loving them. I didn’t : try sushi until I was 16 years old, and now I eat it several It’s understandable to : feel uncomfortable around : new things. For example, if : you do not enjoy amusement : park rides and all of your : friends want to go on the most : thrilling roller coaster in the : park, don’t feel pressured into : something that makes you : uncomfortable. Maybe take : that time to play some games : while your friends ride so that : you all can enjoy yourselves. Of course, there are : situations where you can’t split : off for a while and do your own : thing, like going to the movies. : If it’s your friend’s turn to pick : the movie, just roll with it. A : lot of the time, movies that you : didn’t find interesting in the : trailers turn out better than ; you expected. Forcing your wants onto : every situation without listening to the suggestions : of others isn’t only rude, but ; it makes you kind ofa lame : friend, because they can’t : enjoy themselves around you. : It might lead to them making : plans behind your back and : not inviting you as well. Or : it might lead to you pushing : away your friends completely. : When we were kids, nobody : liked it when someone picked : the games all of the time. That’s bossy. In all honesty, trying : something you didn’t think of : is usually pretty fun. It takes : the pressure off of you to plan, : and it will remove resentment : among friends. So maybe pass : the Netflix remote to someone : else next time youre picking a : movie. theotherpress.ca Image from Thinkstock When your budget won't budge » There is a time to budget for a better life — % Elliot Chan Opinions Editor M opinions @theotherpress.ca here is nothing more sobering than dealing with finance. Now that we have accepted the fact that it sucks, let’s figure out how we can make it better, or at least bearable. When we are budgeting it’s important to consider the reasons why we are saving money. What are our objectives? Without a clear goal, a budget is only a low fence that we can easily jump over with no dire consequences. Consider what you want to do after the budget is established: pay off debt, save up for a vacation, or buy something expensive. It’s never preferable working paycheque to paycheque. If you find yourself stuck in this vicious circle it’s time to budget your cash flow. We are all dealing with different circumstances so there isn’t one easy solution, but like all goals, it’s better to work in smaller sprints than longer marathons. Start by preparing a go-day : : so you need to be careful : of that too. Schedule your : nights out ahead of time. If : something comes up without : at least a two-week notice : (approximately the same time : as your paycheque is issued), : respectfully decline the : invitation. Being spontaneous plan. Calculate your income and expenses and see what the difference is. If the number is wildly under your expectations it’s time to prioritize your : needs. Here is where it hurts: : for 90 days, you'll have to : be frugal. Spend only on : necessities. Social life can derail your financial plans pretty quickly, Image from Thinkstock : : can be addictive and often it'll : take you two steps back in your : : plan. If you want to hang out : with people, invite them over : to your place. Creating a BYOB : event and having friends over > is much cheaper than a night at : the bar. Don’t think of a budget as a life-long barrier. That : attitude can bury your self- : worth and confidence pretty : quickly. Instead considera : budget as a way to establish : some running room for the : future. In order to get a better : job or pay off some debts you'll : need some help. Like studying : for an exam, the result will not : be instantaneous. You'll really : need to commit to it, and go : days is not that long. After the first quarter of : saving, what do you do after? : Go back to your opulent : lifestyle? No. It’s time to : reevaluate your situation. : Three months may lead toa lot : of changes or none at all and : it never hurts to revisit your : goals. Are you still burdened : with debt or are you further : along in the green? Are : you closer to affording your : vacation? How many semesters of school do you still have? Once again, everyone’s life : is different. The key is to keep : in mind that there is a goal to : reach. There is a deadline to : meet. There will be obstacles : and other people will try to : tempt and influence you, but : you must stay the course. : Budgeting is the price you pay : fora better life.