Chat about eating out

**pammy** · 11-14-2005, 06:11 PM

I was sitting with 2 sis's and my mom yesterday and talk got around to my aunt and uncle. My mom was saying that my aunt was kinda proud of the fact that she doesn't cook. They eat out at the very least 7 times a week (mostly dinners, but sometimes lunch). Yet, they complain all the time about being broke. This was coming directly behind her complaining about not having enough money. And yes, she knows how much they eat out because usually she's with them.

And I kept my mouth shut. My younger sis kinda knows more about what I've been trying to do than anyone. She kinda knocked me in the arm, said 'tell her!'. Tried to blow it off, like talking to a brick wall with her sometimes. Nuttin' doing, mom had to know what we were talking about.

Instead of going on and on I thought I would try a different approach, something short and sweet that would really click. Just basic facts. Here's what I deadpanned her with:

'Mom, you know I just quit my job in October, right? So my whole income in gone. We live on John's income alone. Even with my income gone, we still have the same bills we had before, and everything is still getting paid'. I stopped for a second to let this sink in. Then I hit her a bit more with 'Except now I'm saving 25% total of John's income, and we weren't doing this before. How did I do it?' Got the big eyes and open mouth directed at me. The room was quiet. I didn't need to say more. She's been here at my house, she's seen my stockpile, my stuffed deep freeze and cabinets. She knows we aren't starving in the least to be able to do this. We didn't cut out buying groceries or cut out paying bills, so what did we do??

And my mom's got a big mouth. I'll just sit back and wait, if anyone REALLY wants any help or just answers I'll sure provide it. It's not rocket science or brain surgery. It is sacrifice and actually putting effort in. But how can you argue with facts?