Money, We like it

Okay, so who doesn't like money?  It helps us get the "stuff" we enjoy - new clothes, heat in our homes, food for the table, fancy televisions, the list goes on.  We like money.  Even more than we like money itself, we like spending money.  And even more than that - we like knowing that we have the money to spend.

We do not like worrying about whether or not we will be able to pay the bills, how we will scrape together enough food in the pantry for the next meal, whether someone at the power company will listen kindly and help us out in our troubles.

Honestly, in our 5+ years of marriage, we've been on both sides of this.  At times we have chosen to go into debt just so we could scrape by for a few months.  We went in search of credit cards that would allow us just a little bit of wiggle room until we could pay them off because our situation had changed.  Other times we have had an abundance of money - we were able to buy a house almost entirely with cash on hand.  It was a very cheap house - but we own it outright, no threat of foreclosure, no mortgage.... but then.. there's that other house that we still, after 5.5 years have not been able to sell.

Our life is an adventure, a roller coaster at times.  Usually the stresses are brought on entirely by ourselves.   I've heard it said that finances are one of the biggest causes of stress on a marriage.  I believe it is likely the truth.  I also believe I am incredibly lucky to be married to Randy.  I get very stressed about finances, but he has helped me to learn not to make it the focal point of my day.  We will make it through to a better place.  We have time and time again.  We will again in the near future.

That's right, we are not in the best financial place right now.  We are making it work though and once we're through the next 2 weeks, we will be on the up side again - I think.

We have decided that we are going to take an opportunity to attend Financial Peace University.  Now, I am not looking for the way to become a millionaire.  I just want some wisdom about how to better manage our lives so that we do not consistently find ourselves in this predicament.  I've known several people who have attended Dave Ramsey's courses and have gleaned a lot of wisdom from them, that we already put into practice.  But I want to look at money in a new way.  I don't want to live as a slave to money, but know how to make money work for me.  That's the way it should be, right?

I hope to share some of our success with you in the future.  We start January 9, the day after Cassius turns 3.  We're looking forward to this step in our life adventure.

Have you had an experience with FPU that you can share?  Has it made a positive difference in your life?  Do you have a negative opinion about it after having taken the course?  Please leave comments in the box below.

The Color of Security

In our house, security comes in the color green!

I recognize that this is a somewhat odd statement, but oh so true right now.  

See, a lot of kids have a security object.  A blanket, a toy, a rock...

Monkey's security item is money, coins to be specific.

"Coins are not green".  I know that's what you're telling me right now.  But did you know that when a tight fisted preschooler carries a hand full of coins around all day, his palms turn green?  It's true.  If you don't believe me, try it yourself sometime.

I'm not sure what it's about, maybe Monkey has overheard us talking about money issues, or maybe it's just a hobby that has gone over the edge, but he loves money.  He doesn't feel right if there is not at least one coin in his hand.  Monkey collects money everywhere.  He has a special money jar, but good luck convincing him to keep his money in it.  He is absolutely fascinated by the stuff.

Right now I'm looking at this little guy as he naps, both hands in fists.  I'm positive that at least one of his fists contains a quarter - if not more money.  One night I took his money just before he fell asleep and put it on his dresser.  The first thing he said to me when he woke up: Where's my money?

What color is security in your house?

3 year old: On generosity

My Monkey loves money.  He has his own special jar for change.  Recently he has figured out that money has value and we use it to get the things we need.  

Today he found two quarters and decided he was going to save it to get candy out of the gumball machine at church.  He chose to take them with us when we shopped this morning, it feels good to hold money.  He was proud to have it in his hands or pockets.  

About halfway through our shopping, we saw someone ringing Salvation Army bells.  Mama grabbed 2 pennies so the big boys each had something to put in the bucket - we want them to learn generosity, after all.  

As we approached the kind man, I handed my boys their pennies.  Monkey rejected my offer and pulled his own 2 quarters out of his pocket.  He wanted to share his own money.  My 3 year old is teaching us about generosity and sacrifice.  He gave all the money he had.

I love that boy.