Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Frugal Fortune

Frugal Fortune

“You shouldn’t overspend at the moment. Frugality is important.”

As our country dives deep, deep, deep into debt with numbers that if my 5-year old would ask if possible, I would say – of course not…that will never happen to you! But, it is. It is happening to all of us.

We are raising the debt ceiling, our credit rating is falling…does any of this sound familiar? Is this happening to you?

Is the United States government finally facing the reality that most Americans face every day?

Too many finical obligations….too little cash.

Where do you make cuts? Where do you choose not to spend your money? (as I sit here with acrylic nails that are desperately in need of a fill, unpainted toe nails and gray roots showing…store brand staples in my cabinet and Groupon pinging off the roof…) Small changes are happening here. A coupon diva I am not – post about that later.

The government choices are much harder. But, I think that if some of the trust fund babies that can afford to get elected would give up some of their benefits…it might make a difference, a small one.

We live in an entitled society. From the Congress Man who is entitled to a lifetime of benefits and retirement for his service, to the poor who are entitled to health care (– and as a member of the uninsured for a couple of years – I DO NOT say this lightly!), to the 16 year old who is entitled to a new car, to the 4 year old wanting a cool toy with his Happy Meal. (and Apples Fries!)

“You shouldn’t overspend at the moment. Frugality is important.”

On a more personal level…I have a son going into college. Thank God for Pell Grants, for scholarships, for parents working together to put him through college, for grandparents offering an amazing amount of support. But – all the same, it is an expense. He is moving…moving…(getting into emotional territory with no tissue available) to another state. There are expenses. Being frugal is very important, overspending must be avoided, we need to try to set an example.

I want my son to grow up without debt, without unnecessary financial obligations. I want my children to not rely on our government for their welfare, I want them to be financially independent.

The same with everything…I have to try to set the example, and I will admit, I am not always the best, our government is not the best, but I pray that they learn from example. In some cases, we all must learn for the example of what NOT to do! I always stress the importance of education to my kiddos…I never finished college, did not finish medical transcription training…at this point, I am where I am. I am entering a new phase in my life, I want to write…but have little time raising 3 kiddos, being a wife, having 2 jobs – I feel like my house will never come together, I am not spending enough time with my family, my parents, my spouse, my friends, on my jobs, on my writing, on myself…I am overspent. Overspent finically, emotionally and physically…I need to learn to be more frugal. Smarter about my time, smarter about my money, pay more attention to politics and turn my air up to 80 to avoid the rolling blackouts that may happen here in Texas.

“You shouldn’t overspend at the moment. Frugality is important.”

How do you try to live this fortune? How are you frugal and avoid overspending? Tell me, I want desperately to find the balance I need.

Live, Laugh, Love ~
Vanilla Mama

Cannot forget the lucky number…is it the path to financial independence or just another unnecessary expense? I promise to let you know, if you do!
16, 17, 20, 26, 29, 30
(as a side note…all of these are AGES I have passed…SIGH!)

Coming up will be a money saving post, and hopefully a couple of book blurb posts…

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

A to Z Challenge - W

A to Z Challenge – W
W is for wistful. 1. Characterized by melancholy; longing; yearning. Or  2. pensive, especially in a melancholy way. (Thank you Dictionary.Com!)
I have been very wistful lately, pensive in a melancholy way. I wistfully remember Pop’s first day of kindergarten as I prepare for him to graduate. I wistfully remember reading Pop and Tart Harry Potter and going for midnight releases of the new books and movies…I wistfully contemplate Frosting getting older and starting school next year.
Melancholy may be a little too strong of a word, but sometimes there is a definite sadness as I stand back and see all the time that has passed by. All the todays that have come and gone while I am trying to keep my head above water. I think about all the things that I have experienced and wonder about all the little things I may have missed out on while dog paddling. I am wistful.
As we are going through pictures and videos of Pop, applying for financial aid, thinking about a car to get him to and from college, preparing to buy bedding for a dorm room out of state – I am wistful…I am longing. I am longing for a time when he was small (not really ever small…but, you get my drift!) and his bright little eyes would look out at me from his crib at 2 in the morning. I am longing for the little red faced fits he threw in his cowboy boots. I am wistful for the cuddling of my little boy that is now in all truth a man.
All the while I am wistful I am also go incredible grateful for the wonderful memories and wishful for all the things that are to come for my Pop, Tart and Frosting.
What are you wistful for? What are you longing for in a melancholy way? I am wistful for the innocence of childhood to be sure! Kids today are growing up too fast in a world that has no consideration for the need to pace their growth. Kiddos are exposed to violence, sex and drugs at a younger and younger age…youtube, google, Facebook, iPods…you name it there is media out there to present it no matter how careful you are as a parent. I wistfully wish that I didn’t have to worry where my kiddos are 24/7, but realistically I know that this is now the world we live in.
Live, Laugh, Love~
Vanilla Mama