Thanks, 1910s.

I had to stop buying things because I ran out of money, but before that I had to hardly buy anything because I have no income, and before that I had to hardly buy anything so I could quit my terrible job. So I feel like I have been very responsible, applying for jobs (free), learning to cook (cheap), keeping my spirits up with yoga (free), while still taking advantage of living in the capital (free events+cost of subway). I feel like I have earned a reward for being responsible for more than 9 months straight. But my bank account is as tiny as ever. I window shopped online for a bunch of silver charms. I put some in a cart, not to buy them, but to see the total. I thought about how quickly and guiltlessly I could spend $130 on groceries, and how much longer jewelry would last.

 Then I worked on job apps for a bit, and cleaned house to prepare for my upcoming camping trip. I found scouting handbooks on Project Gutenberg for the drive up+ gleaning camping tips. And  I started reading about earning merit badges. Young men in 191_ had to grow an acre of corn, and grow 25% more than average, just to get an agriculture badge. I would be impressed with my grown up self if I even found an acre of land and made arrangements to grow food on it. So I reframed my overwhelming desire for jewelry rewards as goals. And hopefully I'll meet my goals at the same time as I start getting paychecks not earmarked for past expenses.

 To obtain a merit badge for submarine I must:
1. Attain Submarine
2. Maintain Submarine
  i.read and annotate Nissan Guide
  ii. arrange routine maintenance per manufacturer's schedule

 To obtain a merit badge for swimming I must:
1. arrange free access to the community pool
2. swim 50 miles over no more than 50 visits

 To obtain a merit badge for college I must:
1. matriculate to a four year school
2. graduate from four year school in four years
3. pay or repay tuition

To obtain a merit badge for kanji/hanzi I must:
1. Learn to recognize joyo kanji
2. Learn to write joyo kanji

To obtain a merit badge for custodian I must:
1. Take custodial job
2. Survive custodial job
^I achieved this one already, and it's $8 shipped...