A Cash Cushion Saved Me | July/August Budget Overview | Aja Dang
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- Опубліковано 7 жов 2024
- Hi. I'm Aja Dang and I'm annoyed. I didn't get paid this month and since I didn't anticipate this - I spent the same way I would've spent based on my monthly budget estimate. But thankfully, I had a cash cushion to give me a little wiggle room from having to dip into my emergency fund.
As I explain in my video, I use a cash cushion differently - it is very much a barrier between myself and my Emergency fund. I was actually thinking how my cash cushion might be too large and I was going to invest a good chunk of it but the universe said NAH, keep your cash cushion girl.
Lesson Learned.
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I love the new idea of “Things I have Accomplished this Month” video to expand outside of financial talks
That's a great idea!
"This is why I'm okay -- not mentally. But financially." same
I know I’m not the only one who’s hoping you put together a wedding planner from all the things you will learn from your own wedding?! Listen, I’m not saying that’s your niche, but I still think it will be far better than others I’ve seen. IMO.
@@AjaDang add to cart
That would be amazing!
You should include a term in your contract, if you fail to get paid on time then they need to
Pay a late fee, + x amount for everyday the payment is late. Companies will send debt collectors for a penny. Don’t let them get away with it.
that's a great idea!
I know this makes sense in theory, but most companies won't sign any contracts that have late charges because (a) they'll find another person who doesn't have it (b) they say it's company policy. Even if they do sign it, they'll come up with a bunch of excuses to get out of it. Most of the time, it's not worth the effort escalate it. Something freelancers struggle with. Don't know how or when it'll change!
rewatching the ads after the video ends bc AJA DESERVES TO GET HER COIN
still loving the bangs
Having a cash cushion is SO GOOD 🙌🏼 after paying off debt building in a cash cushion definitely helped me shift my focus to saving and investing without worrying about the balance in my checking account every day.
Ugh I’m so upset for you! I’m sorry Aja. Sending you a big hug❤️
Nooooooo Aja, pls don't stop the budgeting videos, I love watching this, is it possible for you to maybe combine 2 months into a budget video and do "what I accomplished" in another video, so they alternate between budget and accomplishment videos every month...pleeeeease!
I’ve never called it a cash cushion, but now that you’ve named it, i realize that I’ve been doing this for years. My cushion is also higher than an overdraft net, but it’s my mental note to get my ish together if I dip under.
Rooting for all those past months' accounts to pay you this month. Also, love your idea to include more personal accomplishments in the August budget video. Looking forward to it!
I’m in EDU and never get paid in August. I’ve learn to build a cushion for this month plus back to school expenses. Thanks for your budget videos and overall work.
that's so smart. Way to be prepared!
love the honesty of this video
on a totally unrelated note... girl you almost blinded me with that ring!
*bling*
Your annoyance with not getting paid came through loud and clear, as it should. Is it customary to add a late payment fee for payments made 30-60 days after services are rendered? If so, consider incorporating into your contracts as a means of protection, or at the very least a nudge to the company to remit prompt payment. I sincerely hope that the checks will begin rolling in, the planner will sell out, and prompt paying partnerships will come your way. Take care.
late interest rates are always added into contracts but then you need to think if it's worth the money to go to small claims court or not. There really isn't any protection for freelancers.
@@AjaDang Thank you for sharing that information. 🤞 that the 💰 is on its way. Good thing you keep a plan in place. I appreciate your honesty, transparency, and overall content.
Thank you for your honesty and for showing your vulnerability. Your authenticity is so inspiring
Thanks for reminding me that I needed to increase my cash cushion! Hope everything goes well for you Aja ❤️ You got this!
I totally feel you with the stank (of dipped earnings). I’ve had to do the same since earnings have slumped (im in the service industry).
I can totally relate to the anxiety of dipping into savings (despite being thankful it’s there). Just landed another part time job so at least part of the income will be predictable. Upwards and onwards Aja!
Have you considered having all your income go into one account during a month and then at the start of the next month use that to budget? It’d be like the freelancers version of “being one month ahead”. You could set up a sinking fund of like typical monthly expenses to get started. But also so glad you have a cash cushion. When you said “I’m ok, well not mentally, but financially” I was laughing so hard.
I love how real you are with your content. Sending my well wishes to you! Also congratulations on your engagement :)
Off topic but love the framing of the blue accent wall behind you! Manifesting more views asap!!!
✨Manifesting that you’ll have more AdSense✨ Go, Aja!! Such an inspiration ❤️
yes please
I really appreciated this video Aja, thank you for being so candid. First, it was really dope to see you be honest about how shitty this freelance/influencer life is; it's mentally and emotionally (and financially!) exhausting! Second, I feel less alone just because some months I do go unpaid and it fucking sucks and I want heads to roll. While it's a shitty situation, it was basically the kick in the ass I needed to beef up my cash cushion and emergency fund game. Also July just felt like such a shitty month in general; I'm "happy" it didn't only beat my ass.
I'm sorry this happened to you; I pray August is a better month financially, emotionally, mentally, and physically!
Along with next month's "budget/accomplishments" video (I love every opportunity you provide for us to celebrate with you!!), would love to hear about how you made freelancing your career. Especially in light of the "Great Resignation" period that's happening now, your wisdom/experience would be great right now. I feel like you explaining your cash cushion started it off well because it makes absolute sense to have the base level protection but making your particular cushion extra fluffy (I was imagining an actual cushion lol) for these kinds of circumstance, but not the kind of advice I think I've seen.
I feel you. I have the same volatile cashflow issues. Some clients just like to take their time to pay invoices. I have something similar to your emergency fund for just these occasions.
do you have a separate emergency fund as well?
@@AjaDang I do net 30 invoices but some clients take up to 90 days and occasionally longer. My emergency fund is about 6 months to cover these type of clients.
Oh yeah… I do have a separate emergency fund for big unforeseen emergencies.
Whatever you do I’ll be watching and definitely supporting your planner!!!!
Excited for the planner launch! Congratulations on getting engaged 🥰 I hope these companies pay you soon and your august is better than July!
That sucks you didn’t get paid last month! What are these companies doing? I’m happy you had some cash cushion to make it through the month
same Benny.
Same here, if I have to touch to my emergency fund, it gives me anxiety. I want all my expenses and more being covered by my income
Absolutely. I had to dip into my emergency fund for the first time when the pandemic affected my business, and it made me soooo uncomfortable. I'm almost finished topping it back up now and the relief is palpable!
Same! I had to dip into my emergency fun this past month and it gave me so much anxiety!
Loving the way you Budget plan! 💫 Keep rising to be who you want to be! 💫 #keeprising #risingtobe #aswerise #riser #irise
Hey Aja, I think you should do a UA-cam editing series at some point as well! You've accomplished a lot over the years so I know you'll get past this bump in the road! Thanks for always being an inspiration ❤️
If you haven’t already, you could start your own financial teaching program. A lot of us would subscribe to learn how to pay off debt
You'll see in an upcoming video that that's a goal of mine!
@@AjaDang ... that or a financial coach! I think you'd be great at it. :) I had a financial coach (3 sessons, $75 per sesh) and she really helped me put my financial goals to fruition!
LMAO it's the sassy-I'm-done "alright. BAI." for me. 😂
On a more serious note, I seriously hope you get paid, that's really messed up that people haven't come through
Sorry for things have been for you!
I am amazed that you spend only 18% on rent and food!
I have to spend almost 50% of my whole income on rent and food!
A nice tip that would help is to have a sinking fund for all your living expenses for the year like phone bill, rent insurance etc. save up that money as fast as you can and just leave it in your account. When you’ve completely saved up that money you have nothing to worry about for the rest of the year.
In August, not being compensated as agreed for your work from January (January!?!), April and May is completely unacceptable 😠 I’m so sorry your clients haven’t paid you. Love seeing that you have multiple safety nets, though! Awesome 💪🏼💪🏼 I do also like the sound of “What I Accomplished This Month” videos.
May I suggest you do a "monthly recap" videos instead of "things I have accomplished this month"? I just feel that using words like "accomplishments" can be anxiety-inducing for you, like you need to have achieved something that month. Just my thoughts though. Love your videos and congrats on the engagement :)
Awesome video! I am currently working on a one month cash cushion or financial buffer! I am a blind UA-camr who started my frugal channel about 2 1/2 months ago! I just subscribe to your channel, always looking for inspiration and motivation as I build my own channel! Thank you for this video!
So sorry to hear about you not getting paid. I’ve watched through all the ads of this video 🤑 congratulations again on the engagement 💍 looking forward to ”what you’ve accomplished in a month”!
When you and Brian are married, will you combine your finances? Some couple still have separate accounts but I want to know your thoughts.
I would love to know this as well!
Please keep accounts separate. I work with older adults for a social service agency and often times when the spouse dies bank accounts are frozen or enter probate as the death certificate and other estate issues are assessed. Just my 2 cents.
@@primrosed2338 interesting! Good to know.
@@primrosed2338 That's really interesting to know. I'm all for keeping things separate to maintain some semblance of autonomy, but this is a really logical and non-emotional reason to keep some things separate.
I do my budgets with you! Stay strong and thank you 🎊🎉
Cheer up Aja, you will make it. Btw, loving your new idea for August, looking forward to it :)
Loooove that ring! Also, I know you'll get through this bump and this is also just a minor heads up for all the brands who do not pay on time. Love you!!!!!
always watching the ads for you aja
Same girl
Omg yes Things Accomplished I am here for this !
Would love a video hearing more about the post proposal
watching the ads at the end to run aja some money
i didn’t know there was a term for “cash cushion”! i always keep a certain amount in my checking account too, also mostly for mental reasons.
Congrats on the engagement! Would love to hear about ‘things I’ve accomplished’ - sounds really fun
Ugh I'm sorry that happened Aja, that sucks. You did a great job of using it to teach why we need to save some extra cash to plan for the unexpected. I had to use both my cash cushion and part of my emergency fund during the pandemic when it hit my wedding business, and I always knew it was important to have but now I'm SO vocal about how everybody needs an emergency fund.
Imagine the hours we'd save from having to chase clients for payments if freelancers were paid on time... A girl can dream.
Hope you get your $$ soon, Aja. Companies are quick to treat vendor/contractors so impersonally.
I love your budget videos, they are informative
Love you Aja!
xoxo
Don’t let the anger get to you girl! Sending good vibes~
Anger is just another emotion….it’s healthy to feel it
I'm sorry this month was so financially stressful hun. That January account better pay you! They are so delinquent! I mean not as bad as that old deal that took like 2 years but still!
Mazel tov again on your engagement and I'm excited for your new accomplishments videos.
yes - thankfully we don't have a repeat of the Asics fiasco. Thank you!
@@AjaDang I remember how pissed you were about that (with every right to be!). I just didn't call them out by name because I couldn't remember if it was Asics or Adidas 😅 oops lol
I wish you good luck on collecting your money!
This sweatshirt is soooo cute!!
The ending!! lol "alright bye"
So over it lol
Love your videos and realness
Would love to see videos on net worth
yes to accomplishments!
I hope you get those payments soon!
You got it Aja! Don't worry 😘
Yes I love the new video ideas
sending love and light
Wedding budget videos please please please
I'd 100% pay for a membership on your channel! :) Maybe that would help w/ consistent income too!
Not sure how the whole process works but you should require at least 50% payment upfront, the rest before you even post.
Hi! Thank you for being honest about how this was making you feel. When brands pay late, don't pay in full, or don't pay at all, would you still work with them in the future?
Many times, no. I do make exceptions depending on how easy they were to work with and if they actually cared that my payments were late.
Aja DAAANG-PUSPOOOS soon!
I love your budget videos tho :(
That is unacceptable!! Someone better run you your money…fast!!!
ASAP
How do you do the notice? I'm having a hard time for getting paid for things from March. I have been pretty patience but now I feel like I need to take action. Thank goodness I have a cash cushion. It's always been on the back of my mind since little.
Have you followed up with them? I have a team that will bug the shit outta a company and if all else fails, I will call them out on social media and embarrass them. I definitely wouldn't recommend that but it's worked for me.
@@AjaDang I may have to do that as my last option to get some notice. Yes, I have and it's frustrating! It's like working for free when I shouldn't. It's not like one of those, you learn experience so you're getting paid by knowledge kind of thing where I can overlook it.
Def do accomplishments videos!
Love you
keep it up
Hi Aja I recently lost my dad a couple months ago and I feel like i haven’t been saving as much money as I want. I’m only in college but His death really made me reevaluate my values in life. Especially the amount of money I spent on experiences. However I also have been having a problem almost impulse shopping. I don’t keep everything and I return a lot, but the joy of getting something in the mail and trying it on almost makes me feel normal ( I haven’t shopped in person really since covid) . I know it’s a lot but do u have any advice to try to make myself motivated or anything? I try not to buy junk out of respect for the environment but I can’t help but get new clothes.
Girl - I think you need to allow yourself to do whatever you need to do to feel "normal". If spending and returning are what you need to do, then you can 100% do that. I think it's ok to not be motivated, it's only been a couple months. I'm so sorry about the passing of your father. (probably not the advice you wanted but maybe it's what you need to hear)
@@AjaDang thank you for responding I think I definitely need to hear that it’s okay and I really appreciate you validating that for me :)
is it bad to not keep watching so we can see you kick and beat the ass outta that person? 😂 nway jk, will always support you and actually you've helped a lot. i am now 70% debt free on the road to 100% soon.
What do you do with companys like jan, april and may that are late? How do you handle that if you eve, when notices dont work? Let it go or file a small court claim? Any tips to help get motivated to discipline yourself to save? I seem to "need" everything or say its only $40 or $100 this is the last ill spend 🙄
I don't know how it works from behind the scenes, but if you provide invoices, do you have in writing on it that it needs to be paid within 30 days or a specific due date?
Are you able suggest brands pay a deposit for sponsorship until waiting after you do the sponsorship to get paid??
Hiee❤️
Is “put in notice” something legal or are you just kind of bugging the companies more about it??
My legal team is definitely on it
You look so good here 😍
ooo thank you!
is our savings separate from our emergency fund?
no, savings is your emergency savings fund.
Someone sounds pissed off.
very