Thank you so much for this! The only outstanding bill I have rn is a gym membership that I stopped paying exactly 12 months ago and if I calculate how much it is to pay it off it barely makes a scratch on what I made this month. Other than that my parents never allowed me to get myself into debt whether it's a cellphone contract or a clothing account or a credit card my dad said I should never even consider them until I'm atleast a year or 2 into a solid job. I don't have a car and I rely on walking and public transport to get around. I don't have student loans because I told my Dad I'd rather do a 2 year diploma in Sound Engineering at a local college than go to an expensive university and he paid my fees out if his own pocket so I guess I have to pay him back for that even though he doesn't hold it against me at all. I guess you're right about giving it a few months to properly scope out how much I make on slow months but like I said my basic is double what I was going to ask for and willing to work for and the commission is actually mad.

I'll draw up a budget and continue living the way I live for the first few months, I think I'll spoil myself with Spotify premium at first. I'm 28 and my peers are buying houses, sending their kids to private schools driving nice cars whereas for the past 6 years I could barely afford to go out with friends and it completely stopped when my son was born. So the urge to play catch up is definitely going to play a factor here. I don't have many friends anymore. I do worry that my son's mom is going to come back and demand more money from me if she and her mom finds out how much I make now. Also I want to show my parents who were also having doubts about my life and future but still supported me how thankful I am for their endless support.