Better Days are Ahead

Mom and Dad told me a lot of things while I was growing up about what to expect in life. "Marriage isn't easy," said mom. "Never say what you would never do, until you're in a particular situation," said dad. "You have to pay to live," said both. But I don't think they stressed enough just how much I'd have to pay. Even having done most of the right things--finishing high school, graduating college, obtaining a good paying job with benefits, maintaining good credit-- life still has its times of simply being overwhelming.

I've always described my personal financial state as "my head is above water", but in today's economy that is not the safest place to be because the slightest change can sink me. When I reflect over past years, I know my situation has gotten better. I don't use credit cards like I used to. I've curtailed my frivolous spending on clothes, shoes, accessories, personal upkeep considerably. I even started putting an estimated amount of money from that spending towards savings, managing to accumulate an amount that makes me smile. HOWEVER, there is always something lurking behind the scenes to bring my spirits down. Two of those culprits are property taxes and insurance (auto & home). While these are necessary parts of adult life, I oftentimes, am ready to explode over how much of a rip-off they are, ESPECIALLY, if you live in an inner city!

As usual, I sulk for a time, then I pick my head up and look forward to better days. They are coming AND soon. And more importantly, during difficult times we have to learn to see the positive of the situation. For example, although I missed my deadline of age 30, to be credit card debt free, I am down to only two with very manageable balances. See there's a positive. I'll be buying a house mid-2009. A fear I used to have about this was that a larger house would automatically come with a larger mortgage, which would be a struggle if I still had the other debt to contend with. THANKS to the housing market, that won't quite be the case. I should be able to get a bigger house AND pay less that what I'm paying today.

Other pluses in my life are that I've learned it is nothing but the trick of the devil to distract me with all of these financial pressures to keep me from being unproductive with my writing, which is my meal ticket in the near future. With that knowledge, I combat him with the joy of GOD, who has told us in HIS word not to worry about the things of this world. HE'S got us! HE assures that ALL of HIS children's needs are met. WE just have to turn them over to him AND praise HIM!

That being said, I encourage ALL grown ups with grown up RESPONSIBILITIES, to keep your head up and know that better days are ahead.

Copyright @ 2008 LA Jefferson

Holiday Shopping

It only takes the holiday season to knock one off the wagon of spending cutbacks. It's ironic, though, how throughout the year all of us were struggling with escalated & food costs, people losing their homes and jobs, and such. But as soon as Black Friday came, a surprising number of people found some money to make the total amount spent on that day surpass the amount of last year. Unbelievable! Then again, maybe not. I mean, Black Friday, historically, is the day that the best retail deals of the year occur. That being the case, it's a wonder more people weren't out.

Luckily, I wasn't pressed enough for any particular item that I needed to leave my house at sunset to get in line. But I did venture out at the more reasonable time of 8AM to see what I could make happen for my kids. I have a four year old, who'll be happy with whatever is under the tree for him and a thirteen year old, who knows me well enough to not ask me for an over abundance of things that she know I won't get anyway. LOL! At the conclusion of my outing, I had a reasonably priced digital camera in the requested color of pink and a 2-in-1 Leapster game system with a couple of games that were 1/2 off. Picked up a couple of DVD's for a steal. They may or may not be gifts, but what the heck--they were all under $5.

In addition to to the reasonably priced gifts I got, I also managed to treat myself to a few well-deserved items, like 2 pairs of boots, a butterfly necklace, and a pair of earrings. Oh yeah, and a coat. But that's minor compared to how I used to do it up for ME back in the good ole days.

With 98% of my shopping being done, I've regulated myself back to my mall avoidance tactics to reprogram myself to saving rather than spending. But I must say, the last few weeks have been a blast!

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Copyright @ 2008 by LA Jefferson