Yes, there are advantages to having been financially challenged my entire life.
I know how to budget. I know how to stretch that increasingly devalued dollar. I know how to be content with the basic necessities of life. I’ve learned to be satisfied with the need to forego all those little luxuries that so many other people take for granted.
When my children were small, I was ecstatic if I had $10 left at the end of the month. Forty or so years later, I’m even happier if I can break even – which, thanks to Medicare co-pays and deductibles (20% for my Remicade infusions!), almost never happens. Each month, I’m forced to dip into my small savings by several hundred dollars to meet those medical expenses.
But thanks to my historically struggling finances, I’ve also learned to adapt. Sudden economic crises, while still annoying and upsetting, seldom give me heart palpitations like they did when I first entered adulthood.
For instance –
We thought we were done putting money into our home (doesn’t everyone always hope for that?).
But then a visitor arrived and a corner of the bottom step of the front porch broke off. Thankfully, there were no injuries; the visitor was limber and didn’t fall. However, the incident forced us to face reality – both the front and side porches were really, really old, poorly constructed in the first place, and about to collapse. In order to avoid potential injuries – and potential lawsuits – both would need replacement NOW.
Fortunately, we were able to find a contractor who did the work beautifully for a price that came in well below what we expected – but that cost still had to come out of our savings.
Were we done now?
Surely, you know better.
We had the main roof on the house torn off and replaced several years ago, but there’s an extension that has a rubber roof which is probably 20 (or more) years old. That rubber roof, while holding at the moment, is making us a little nervous. So that cost will also have to come out of our savings. So far, the estimates for just that little rubber roof are coming in at the same price we paid for the entire main roof five years ago, and the cost is likely to be even higher if we have to wait until the warmer spring weather.
Thank you to the current U.S. administration. Those of us who aren’t billionaires or trillionaires are seriously struggling. But that’s ok – glitter in the White House is so very important, isn’t it?
The family is going to really hate me come Christmas time, when I tell them all that there will be no presents this year.
Or maybe they won’t hate me. They’re also facing financial struggles caused by the current economy. Some have even lost their jobs. But like me, they know how to deal with it.
We will all survive. I suspect it will be tougher and tougher over the next few years, but somehow we’ll get through it.
Maybe one of us will win the lottery and bail everyone else out. Wouldn’t that be lovely?
Hugs to all my loyal readers. How’s it by you?
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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
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Image by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
Understand exactly where you’re coming from. We are at a stage where we owe nothing, are mortgage free, and can live comfortably…………. until you read the headlines as to what the present government are planning for pensioners, the disabled, home owners, car owners, those who want to keep warm, those who want to eat, etc etc. We are fortunate and can manage, but once again I am counting the pennies.
I had the money put to one side for our house moving expenses and some home improvements in the new property, but no buyer for ours, and now TPTB are thinking of taxing sellers rather than purchasers, and also taxing any profit on home value increases, so we are staying put, for now. Local property taxes are also in for a revamp and we can see ours doubling. Heating prices have already gone up another 2% and water services went up in April by an extra £80 a year for us, and we’re low consumers!
Ho hum, the kitchen will get a revamp and we might even get a car port put up.
Luckily Christmas is just us so no family pressure, however, remembering Christmases past when we were skint, reminded me of the Secret Santa Sack where everyone put in a gift to a specific value for the kids, so if there were 4 kids in your family, that was 4, two only two etc, so every child got something. Us adults had the challenge of the naffest for £1 which was even more fun. Will you be having a get together?
I shall be making cards for my neighbour as they always go down well, plus a few other little bits and pieces.
I’ve got Hubby’s 70th birthday before that though, so that will be a meal out, if his stomach can take it and his reflux co-operates!
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So, do you REALLY need to eat? Sounds like your government doesn’t think so, any more than our does.
Yes, we will have a family get-together for the holidays. That’s enough for me, I don’t need gifts. I just need to make the younger folk understand.
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Our current government have no idea and their latest ideas of taxing everyone on everything, even before they’ve earned it and double after they die, is totally bonkers.
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Home repairs show no mercy on the homeowner. Contractors that are willing to work for fair but decent prices are a godsend.
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My porch guys were awesome, and the whole company consists of just the two of them. They not only did an exceptional job, but they were unusually quiet during the whole process. Sure, the hammers and saws were noisy, but there was no loud music nor shouting or swearing. They also took into consideration my current mobility issues and made the steps a little deeper and a little lower between steps.
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Excellent!
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Yeah, the current government is so out of tune with we common folk. Maybe it would be a relief to all to declare it a no-gift Christmas and enjoy the season with loved ones just for the sake of being together. Seems to be that would reduce a lot of pressure on everyone and maybe be a true celebration of the season.
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That’s pretty much the plan. I’ll just be happy to see everyone at the same time.
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Resilience is the only option now. So far we’re doing okay but I’m seeing friends and family face really tough choices. We’re all digging in.
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I think the majority of Americans are in the same boat – and those that aren’t, will be soon enough. These are very difficult times.
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