They say that love makes the world go around and the Lord knows Russell and I are still madly in love, but I’d have to say money is the other necessary commodity needed to make our world turn. In this economy, there are so many “regular, hardworking folks” who are barely making ends meet. Minimum wage in some states is as low as $4 an hour. Oregon has the highest minimum wage in the nation at $8.40. I’m not a “political person” but really, do any of our elected officials have any idea how to live on minimum wage? As a parent of a recently graduated child who is entering the workplace with no skills and no work history, I wonder how many years it will take our young people to achieve the “American dream”? Russell and I were married six years and were 30 years old before we bought our first home. We paid $45,000 and felt like we had hit the jackpot. It was a “fixer-upper” and we did a lot of the work ourselves. According to the news, the economy is improving but I don’t see it. Our school district is laying off staff, and a couple of my friends are in job sectors that are downsizing.
In the last three months, I've applied for 74 jobs, have had two phone interviews and two in-person interviews and still...no job, and that's with 30 years of office experience and excellent computer skills. I have two weeks left on my unemployment and will reapply. I’m fortunate to receive it and never ever take it for granted. Financially, we are blessed that Russell has such a good job. He’s in his fourth year as a UPS driver and got his own route a few months ago, which means he has regular, consistent hours. We have learned the hard way that living beyond our means can have a long-term negative impact on your credit. I am the budget guru in our family and have finally learned that a budget is essential. Online banking is an absolute wonder – paying bills online is the only way to go. I’m one of those obsessive personalities (shocking isn’t it!), who checks our checking account every morning and balances my checkbook. We just got an updated credit report and our credit score is higher than it’s ever been in our almost 28 years together! We have followed a lot of the budget principles taught by Dave Ramsey (but we don’t do cash envelopes. Actually, Russell and I rarely have cash…if we have it, we spend it.
Taking advantage of sales on groceries and non-perishable items has saved us a ton of money, plus shopping at Wal-Mart, Winco and Costco. I never thought I would be a “savvy shopper”, but with careful shopping, coupons, selling stuff on Craigslist, and a rewards credit card that we pay off every month, we should be debt free by the end of the year…which is an absolutely thrilling prospect.
I wrote a couple weeks ago about “Making it Click” and getting back on track with exercise, home and personal projects, etc. I had a major epiphany (isn’t that a great word!) this week: my inertia and inability to fully engage my body and mind is that I feel guilty that I'm not working and therefore, not "sharing the load or contributing" to the family budget…so I have no right to enjoy my time off. Other than a brief time off at the end of my year-long chemo regime, I have worked full-time for over 30 years. My unemployment isn’t a reflection of me and my abilities but of our economic and political times…so I need to revel in the time given to me and enjoy being at home. Right now, today, I am grateful for this opportunity to spend time with my mother-in-law, have a $5 dinner with my life group ladies, take a walk in the park, read a book, sleep in occasionally and work on organizing my photo files. Life is good and I am feeling fabulous!
Love the quote below. When Shanna was growing up, we had Friday morning ritual that we all loved...before we left home for the day, we would dance and sing a "happy Friday" song. We don't do that anymore...but we need to and not just on Fridays. God is so good to us every day...so let yourself sing and dance to the music in your soul...Happy Friday!
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.