As an older Gen Z’er, I try not to compare myself to my peers.

Welcome back to Gen Z Journals.

I am a digital marketer for a workers' compensation insurance organization.

Group of happy friends taking a selfie, making peace signs

I make $82,500 a year and have been in my position for a little over a year.

I am pretty intense about budgeting.

I use a software/program that allows me to allocate every dollar I have to a specific job.

Collage of phrases and items like envelopes, currency, relating to Gen Z life and values

If I had to guess, my average weekly spending is probably around $600.

We currently pay $1,050 in rent, but that will change in a week to $1,475.

My financial situation is a lot better than most people, and I’m still not comfortable.

Woman with glasses and turtleneck, arms crossed, smiling at the camera

They didn’t help me pay for college.

I was over $110K in debt when I left school, with the majority being private loans.

I set boundaries with work because I want to be able to live my life outside of it.

Crumpled paper with text covering various life topics like occupation, money, and personal challenges

Rehearsals can run late at night, so I get home much later.

I am in a relationship with Conner, my wonderful boyfriend of two and a half years.

We support each other in a million ways.

The word "occupation" cut from various printed materials, arranged on a crinkled paper background

We are very open, honest, and communicative with each other.

I am very grateful I have Conner because the current dating scene is scary to me.

We’re not moving far, but I’ve never moved with another person before.

Collage of cut-out letters spelling 'Money' on crumpled paper background

Plus, this apartment is all our cats know.

The minimum payment (after refinancing!)

is $1,000 a month.

Receipt with itemized expenses including rent, groceries, and car payments, totaling $5175.00, indicating high living costs

Buying a house is completely out of the question for at least another six years.

We’re thinking about how to afford a wedding eventually, and that feels impossible, too!

That said, I’mreallyhoping my boyfriend will propose to me.

A patterned budget book titled "HALEY'S BUDGET BOOK" with pages showing detailed financial plans

I know that when I need someone, I have people to turn to.

I am pretty close with my family.

I have four half-siblings three on my dad’s side and one on my mom’s.

One dollar bill with handwritten message about not tolerating previous work cultures

All of them are at least 10 years younger than me.

I constantly feel like I’m not where I’m supposed to be.

Note: This submission has been edited for length and/or clarity.

Collage of cutout letters spelling "Daily to do list" on a crumpled paper background

Handwritten list titled "Haley's Agenda" with various to-dos, some checked off, on blue-lined paper

Bowl of soup with vegetables and a spoon, on a table with a red drink and condiments in the background

Bed with rumpled white bedding and a small pet on top, in a bedroom with two nightstands and a window AC unit

Cut-out letters spelling 'Relationship' on a crinkled paper background

Two heart-shaped candies with "MARRY ME" and "(PLS)" written on them

The image shows a collage of cutout letters forming the words "changes & challenges" on a crumpled paper background

Cardboard box sealed with tape, labeled 'CAT TOYS'

The word "Community" cut from various sources and pasted on crumpled paper

Postcard with handwritten greeting, a flower stamp on top right, and "Haley, Upstate NY" in the FROM section

Quote in mixed fonts and sizes on crumpled paper: "Do you feel like you're not where you’re supposed to be?"

Image of a CD case with handwritten notes: "SONGS THAT HELP HALEY GET THROUGH LIFE…"

Handwritten tracklist on a white CD, including artists like Harry Styles and Daniel Caesar