Money

Money, the taboo topic.  

We're taught, by our parents and the culture we live in, to not talk about money.  Don't talk about how much you make.  Don't talk about how much you spend.  Don't talk about the ins and outs of credit cards.  Don't talk about how much financing really costs. And if you're in a financial mess, don't talk about that either.

So we're each alone in dealing with our finances.  Oh sure, you an ask your folks.  And get the lecture.  Or you can pay for a consultation with a financial advisor, and their sales pitch (usually).  But where can you just sit and talk about the basics? What if you just want to know you're not the only one who is bearing the consequences of a bad choice?  What if you just want to share ideas and hear other people's thoughts on what is working and not working?

I propose that it starts here.  My sustainable living passion isn't just about the planet, environment, and being frugal because it's the current trend, but because money is tight.  I mean really tight.  We took our daughter out of preschool because it's so tight.

I'm not making pillowcases just to give myself a creative outlet, but because there are debts to pay and every little bit helps.  Same with baking bread.  And making a clothes pin holder out of a milk jug rather than buying a holder from the store. And homemade cocoa mix.  And cooking from scratch. And the list goes on....

We shop at the thrift stores because good quality clothing with a lot of life still in them are they're at a fraction of the price of the clothes at the regular retail stores.

We did pay to take Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course, and it's good.  It's informative and the other folks who attend are friendly and supportive.  But it wasn't a necessary expense.  I think we could have gotten the same info by reading his Total Money Makeover book checked out from the library.  Oh well, live and learn, right?

All doom and gloom, right?  Not really.  We enjoy our family time at the park, hiking the trails.  Our family splurge is a membership at the local Y.  We go and play in the pool or gym.  The local parks dept and the library both offer wonderful programs we participate in.  And eventually, when our debts are paid off, we'll attend the off-broadway shows and symphony concerts.  It all happens one step at a time.

We're all facing the same or similar challenges everyday.  And we don't have to do it alone.  Just reach out.  You never know who you might help just by sharing your own story.  Cheers!  oxoxo