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My friend who bless her heart says " I believe"....
I love researching, learning new frugal things, sharing and stepping back and evaluating my life plan, and situation once in awhile to make sure I am on track. I know so many here do as well. That is why you are here. Kudos to you all for the hard work.
If any can learn from my friend and her story as sad as it is may you be blessed.
If you can add tips that will bless anyone here, help the hurting ones, or keep those of us who need a nudge to step back , reevaluate or stop the excuses please do.
My dear friend would say when shopping:
"I believe that there is no need to stock up on anything the store is down the street"
So.... she would use the extra money to treat herself, go out, and pay full price for everything when needed. Is that bad? Depends read the end of the story....
"I believe in not having a gift closet or buying my kids Christmas gifts all yr long, its too much work"
That is fine , her choice right? Then comes the end of the yr. she has no presents, no money and is sad. The problem is she made enough but didn't care to give up a few things, or budget a few things in order to set aside money. In the end her kids hurt or the friends and family who made less then her always had to make up the difference were out the money they could use to better their lives , family or retirement.
"I believe there is no need for budget categories or an emergency fund"
Fine her choice again. Except, she never had a grip on her plan or budget let alone how to implement anything so any car problem, any hot water heater was the end of the world. Tears for days , borrowing ( being given with no intent on paying back once again from family or friends who made less) to make that crises go away.
"I believe there is no reason to deprive myself of this you insert hers was a vacation, then manicures, new clothes etc"
Once again not my business her choice, but I was the silly one for pointing out she might want to look at where the money is coming from to do it and plan.
"I believe prices will be fine why stock up , worry or anything"
So she never knew unit prices, what she was paying for convenience vs making herself, or when her health suffered she never knew that she had the money to buy better with better choices.
See those of us who bought better were "richer" and lucky. It didn't matter that it takes me time to shop the way I do, make things from scratch, can , dehydrate, garden, buy in bulk or freeze produce in the summer when I could pay 1.00 a pound for tomatoes vs 4.00 a small jar .
It doesn't matter whether some of us made more or less then her we were rich, she never looked at the work because it was too hard, too much, too....whatever. Fine not everyone has the time or energy to do that. What works for one family won't work for another, dietary restrictions etc. but if you aren't willing to know prices, do some work then yes you will be "poor" in her mind because you aren't enjoying reaping the benefits of said work whether that is cooking from scratch , gardening or couponing which leaves you then eating a certain way she wasn't happy with.
But all she knew was her belief that we were rich and that was her excuse and crutch.
"I believe life is too hard"
So she never tried. I believe life is what you make of it. Make your own happiness, get hobbies, enjoy friends learn new things.
So is that bad she thinks that ? No, but she always needs entertained , trips, high cable, cell phone bills more wants vs needs.
"I believe it is a waste of time to OAMC , cook in bulk or use a Crockpot etc"
So meals are never ready and they go out to eat all the time, subs for lunch, pizza take out for dinner and the list goes on.
Is going out to dinner bad? No if you have the money, and your other obligations are pd , stimulating the economy and treating your self are great.
Now fast forward she lost her job, now her home her modifications was denied . The family and friends who always bailed her out didn't have the money and some the patience to bail her out again when they found out how far behind she was.
I love her, feel bad for her and will always be there for her. Her views on money are different then many here but she is a good person, just not good with money.
Don't be like this step back evaluate yearly where you are at, get a financial goal a family goal, work together, be resilient and innovative. Be creative and frugal and you will find a way that works for your individual or family situation to help you succeed. If you need tips they are here on this board, use them and be blessed.
I love researching, learning new frugal things, sharing and stepping back and evaluating my life plan, and situation once in awhile to make sure I am on track. I know so many here do as well. That is why you are here. Kudos to you all for the hard work.
If any can learn from my friend and her story as sad as it is may you be blessed.
If you can add tips that will bless anyone here, help the hurting ones, or keep those of us who need a nudge to step back , reevaluate or stop the excuses please do.
My dear friend would say when shopping:
"I believe that there is no need to stock up on anything the store is down the street"
So.... she would use the extra money to treat herself, go out, and pay full price for everything when needed. Is that bad? Depends read the end of the story....
"I believe in not having a gift closet or buying my kids Christmas gifts all yr long, its too much work"
That is fine , her choice right? Then comes the end of the yr. she has no presents, no money and is sad. The problem is she made enough but didn't care to give up a few things, or budget a few things in order to set aside money. In the end her kids hurt or the friends and family who made less then her always had to make up the difference were out the money they could use to better their lives , family or retirement.
"I believe there is no need for budget categories or an emergency fund"
Fine her choice again. Except, she never had a grip on her plan or budget let alone how to implement anything so any car problem, any hot water heater was the end of the world. Tears for days , borrowing ( being given with no intent on paying back once again from family or friends who made less) to make that crises go away.
"I believe there is no reason to deprive myself of this you insert hers was a vacation, then manicures, new clothes etc"
Once again not my business her choice, but I was the silly one for pointing out she might want to look at where the money is coming from to do it and plan.
"I believe prices will be fine why stock up , worry or anything"
So she never knew unit prices, what she was paying for convenience vs making herself, or when her health suffered she never knew that she had the money to buy better with better choices.
See those of us who bought better were "richer" and lucky. It didn't matter that it takes me time to shop the way I do, make things from scratch, can , dehydrate, garden, buy in bulk or freeze produce in the summer when I could pay 1.00 a pound for tomatoes vs 4.00 a small jar .
It doesn't matter whether some of us made more or less then her we were rich, she never looked at the work because it was too hard, too much, too....whatever. Fine not everyone has the time or energy to do that. What works for one family won't work for another, dietary restrictions etc. but if you aren't willing to know prices, do some work then yes you will be "poor" in her mind because you aren't enjoying reaping the benefits of said work whether that is cooking from scratch , gardening or couponing which leaves you then eating a certain way she wasn't happy with.
But all she knew was her belief that we were rich and that was her excuse and crutch.
"I believe life is too hard"
So she never tried. I believe life is what you make of it. Make your own happiness, get hobbies, enjoy friends learn new things.
So is that bad she thinks that ? No, but she always needs entertained , trips, high cable, cell phone bills more wants vs needs.
"I believe it is a waste of time to OAMC , cook in bulk or use a Crockpot etc"
So meals are never ready and they go out to eat all the time, subs for lunch, pizza take out for dinner and the list goes on.
Is going out to dinner bad? No if you have the money, and your other obligations are pd , stimulating the economy and treating your self are great.
Now fast forward she lost her job, now her home her modifications was denied . The family and friends who always bailed her out didn't have the money and some the patience to bail her out again when they found out how far behind she was.
I love her, feel bad for her and will always be there for her. Her views on money are different then many here but she is a good person, just not good with money.
Don't be like this step back evaluate yearly where you are at, get a financial goal a family goal, work together, be resilient and innovative. Be creative and frugal and you will find a way that works for your individual or family situation to help you succeed. If you need tips they are here on this board, use them and be blessed.
