I moved out late last year, and for a few months I was totally fine. I had a system in place – believe it or not I’m actually good with money. Then suddenly I wasn’t.

It started when I got paid a week early as a holiday gift before Christmas. Having skimped on presents thus far, I foolishly thought another gift here or there wouldn’t make a difference. Cue spending frenzy.

A week later I realised despite the fact I’d resumed budgeting after Christmas, I neglected to factor in the presents and additional week before pay day. I had to make a week and a half of money stretch to three weeks AND still pay fortnightly rent.

You’ll Be Embarrassed

At first I didn’t tell anyone I was struggling for cash. Admitting it felt like I had to hand over my Adult card and confess I’d failed. It was mortifying – I’d prided myself on my financial know-how and had bragged about my independence.

I turned down drinks with colleagues, outings with friends and began a (not-so) nutritious diet of haloumi and beans. As a city-dweller with no car, I relied on Opal and Uber to get around. Two things that – shockingly enough – I couldn’t afford. Thanks, Sydney.

Twice I missed the direct bus home, so I chose an hour-long excursion around the city instead of the ten-minute Uber that would cost me dinner for two days.

You’ll Want To Fix It Yourself

My first step was to decide I didn’t need all of my belongings after all. Minimalist lifestyles are in, right? I divided my clothes into ‘wear regularly and ‘wear rarely’ piles, washed the latter and started taking photos.

I earned petty cash from selling things off and actually started feeling good about my ability to get things sorted without having to rely on anyone else. Totally false confidence aside, I was getting shit done.

As the housemate in charge of paying rent directly (the irony is not lost on me there), by Thursday of that week suddenly my bank account started looking a bit more reputable. My roommates had deposited their funds into my account and I tried convincing myself there’d be enough.

You Will Eventually Admit The Problem

Despite my best efforts, rent day rolled around and I came up short.

When I decided to ask my parents for help, they were in the midst of a holiday in Thailand. So, like your stereotypical millennial, I asked them to borrow money via Facebook Messenger.

Dad sent money through and rattled off of all the ways I could get myself out of the situation if it ever happened again. I know not everyone has the luxury of borrowing money from their parents, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get through these issues. There are always options.

You Will Learn From Your Mistakes

The following week I got paid, paid my parents back and suddenly the Very Scary Thing that I’d been mortified about was history. Budgeting resumed, and I haven’t missed a payment since. But if it hadn’t happened, I honestly don’t think I’d be as financially conscious as I am now.

I learned from it in a way that only experience can teach you.

Before I’d order Uber Eats instead of cooking the perfectly good food in my fridge. Now I make use of my ingredients. I used to think nothing of grabbing a taxi for a short distance. Now? I’ll lace up my shoes to walk.

Messing up was beyond embarrassing, but I learned from it in a way that only experience can teach you. So will you.

(Lead image: Friends/NBC)