More on Finances

I originally wanted to save up enough money so that I could live in Sweden for a year, assuming no employment. I just don't know how the heck I could ever save up that much money!

I figure I need at least 5000 SEK a month. 3000SEK for my share of rent and rent based bills (water, electricity, internet, etc). 2000 of that would be for food and other requirements like transportation. I'd need a start up base of about 7500 SEK for the airfare over there. I can probably get it cheaper, but better safe than sorry. I also want to have 2000 SEK saved up for each swedish class I want to take at the folkuniversitietet.

Summary:
Startup Costs
7500 Round trip plane ticket
4000 Two swedish classes
Ongoing costs
5000 month for food+rent

For a year that'd cost me 71,500 SEK... or pretty close to 10,000 USD. There's no way I can get that. I'm a student... I have an internship, but it won't start paying until next semester. I can't drive myself crazy by working another job on top of school. I need to actually pass my classes! I have 5000 in savings... I doubt I could get another 5000 saved in the next year.

My current plan therefore is to get 6500 USD saved up. that'll get me a roundtrip ticket leaving in June, coming back to the states in time for christmas, two swedish classes, and 7 months living expenses. If I can't keep myself alive there without resorting to begging friends for food I'll go back to the states. That means I don't have quite as much money to save up. If I pass this goal, I'll be doing better!

This budget isn't going to leave me with any fun money. I won't be able to go out to the nations very often for instance. VERY little alcohol either. No trips, no shopping sprees, very few fancy foods. It'll be a bit of a plain existence, but I'll get to spend time with my boyfriend again, so it is worth it. If I can't stand it, I come home again.