What to Buy

TazziRN, RN · Oct 31, 2006

Well Im graduating in May 2006... And I have a long list of what to buy...
Since this is my First real Job... And considering my job now as a waiter only brings in about 100 bucks a week...
I was just wondering what is everyone else going to buy... Or what did you buy when you got out of school...

Um....I'm going to assume you mean May 2007?

shaazzaamm34 · Oct 31, 2006

yup... my bad... May 2007

SillyLilly · Oct 31, 2006

I wish I would have bought a cute nursing related tshirt shirt to wear to my lil graduation party.

I didnt really buy myself anything interesting though! I got my littman around that time, but thats about it.

vrhodes · Oct 31, 2006

I am graduating in December 2006 and I have bought myself a nice pair of comfy work shoes, as well as a new home (!!!) to celebrate finally earning some real money!

slou! · Oct 31, 2006

I know I am going to have a big big problem with this! I have a huge problem with shopping! I am only freshman so I have 4 years to go! I am already planning on what I am going to by myself when I am done my first semester :rolleyes: I am thinking if I do really good, I am going to buy myself something. But if I'm not doing as well as I want to be doing, I'm not treating myself to anything! I am thinking it will be a premium subscription to this site :) I am on it enough, and I am just a pre-nursing student!

AuntieRN · Oct 31, 2006

I graduated 8/10/06 and I just bought my self a 2006 volkswagon convertable bug. Red with a black top. It is what I always wanted. I started out looking for it the day I found out I passed my boards. This was my big purchase to reward myself. I have bought nursing related Tshirts, a few pairs of shoes (I am a shoe freak love shoes) and a few other little things.

mamason · Oct 31, 2006

If you're about what to buy for your first nursing job, well, then I would suggest a good stethescope, good comfortable shoes, and good quality comfortable scrubs that you can mix and match. If you're talking about treating yourself for all of your hard work, well, my friend and myself took a trip to St. Pete's Beach and went shopping and did a little celebrating. We split the costs 50/50 and really enjoyed ourselves.

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 31, 2006

It sounds as if the previous posters are being pretty reasonable about what they plan to buy. So, this is not meant as a criticism of them.

Be careful about rushing out and buying a lot of "things" in those first few years after graduation. A lot of people feel that they are "entitled" to luxeries after working hard and accomplishing something -- luxeries they can't afford. They end up buying more than they can afford and end up in debt. They think they are buying themselves a reward, but they end up buying themselves years of financial obligations and hardship as they dig a deeper and deeper financial hole for themselves.

Celebrate a little by all means. But don't forget to start paying off any school debts right away and don't forget to save a portion of each paycheck for later. Participate in your employer's retirement plan and take whatever matching funds you can get. In other words ... don't forget to buy yourself long term financial security while you are shopping.

Good luck, everyone !

llg

carolCCRN · Oct 31, 2006

AMEN, llg! Most people spend more than they make, and creditors are more than happy to extend loans to nurses. I don't want to be a wet blanket, but I have so many nurse friends who are working overtime to dig themselves out of trouble they've gotten into. Enjoy yourself and take advantage of the retirement or savings plan your employer offers. I wish I had done it sooner.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2006

Excellent advice from llg. I personally choose to take on debt only for a home or education. Nothing else.

When I graduate I plan on indulging in two things. A Dyson vacuum cleaner, and a Cooper Mini car. By the time I graduate there should be plenty of used Cooper Minis that I could pay cash for. I'm so smitten with the Mini that when I see one my heart beats faster. A friend said I started "speaking British" when I sighted one the other day, LOL. I am so weird.

http://www.autoinsidernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/2007-mini-cooper-sm.jpg

sweetnnurse · Oct 31, 2006

:yeahthat: Great words of wisdom! As always i am taking notes.

It sounds as if the previous posters are being pretty reasonable about what they plan to buy. So, this is not meant as a criticism of them.
Be careful about rushing out and buying a lot of "things" in those first few years after graduation. A lot of people feel that they are "entitled" to luxeries after working hard and accomplishing something -- luxeries they can't afford. They end up buying more than they can afford and end up in debt. They think they are buying themselves a reward, but they end up buying themselves years of financial obligations and hardship as they dig a deeper and deeper financial hole for themselves.
Celebrate a little by all means. But don't forget to start paying off any school debts right away and don't forget to save a portion of each paycheck for later. Participate in your employer's retirement plan and take whatever matching funds you can get. In other words ... don't forget to buy yourself long term financial security while you are shopping.
Good luck, everyone !
llg