I too always kept a cushion in my account. especially when I didn't make much money. Another thing I did was I would only pay my bills and not buy or do anything until my next check was in the bank. What was left from the first one, I would blow half of it on what I wanted and leave the other half in there to build up the cushion.

My thinking was, you never know what life is going to throw at you, emergencies DO happen and you better be prepared... also, I am NOT that good with math! Credit or borrowing only means you are spending money you don't have and I DON'T like paying interest.

I also would ask someone, a parent, a potential employer or someone that would be honest.. What is their first impression of you when they see you. You may need to make some changes in how you present yourself. A persons first impression of you does count a LOT! That is just how the world is.