I got an email from my sister today. Seems she is feeling the "pinch" of the economic times we are in. She has had a delayed reaction to it all apparently as she said "I don't know why but this month has been tough. I'm living in constant fear of becoming over-drawn." I thought about that for a minute because I too have been feeling like money is tighter (as in closer to the poor farm cause money is tight EVERYday in my world) than usual of late. Of course in my case it is probably the fact that I am supporting my daughter and 2 grandsons this month because their deadbeat dad is a ...well...a deadbeat dad. She goes to court (WITH me there) on Monday so HOPEfully the outcome will be favorable. But aside from all that I know where Sis is coming from. Gas prices have effected more than filling up our tanks. I feel like we all have a "budget" of sorts in our heads. We know we make enough to cover the mortgage, utilities, gas, groceries, etc and we also have a pretty close "play" money budget figured out. What we haven't gotten our arms around is the fact that the gas and groceries budget is EXTREMEly higher than last month or the month before and so on and so on. Add to that the trickle down effect......one doesn't feel the pain all at once it seems. It's gradual. So a fill up went from $25.00 to $30.00 - meh - not too horrible. But month after month it's eased up and you've made concessions here and there and BAM! All of a sudden your mortgage money isn't there! And it costs $60.00 to fill your tank. And when the F*%# did mayonnaise go from $1.99 to $4.19?!?!? WTF!!!!!!
What's the answer then? Well - things WILL get better. I went to fill up yesterday and it cost me $25.65. I was so relieved. In the meantime bfJ and I don't go out as much. Not a bad thing at all - he's fun to be with. I take my lunch to work. We ALWAYS use leftovers. And we tighten our belts a little (sure wish I could tighten my jeans!). It WILL be okay. Work hard and stay focused. We're already a step in the right direction with gas prices! And don't plan an extravagant Christmas. Kids have plenty and will appreciate one nice gift better than a dozen cheesy gifts. I plan to take Kmart up on their re-instituted lay-a-way plan. It worked for me back when I was a struggling single mom of two! Thanks Kmart! And HEY - Bill Gates and/or Warren Buffett - I am not opposed to donations to a worthy cause. ME! "Help dis Sista OUT!"
