Living within my means sucks

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2007
Living within my means sucks
22
Fri, 01-08-2010 - 7:40am

I know that I'm supposed to spend less than I make.

Kate


empty purse

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2007
Thu, 01-14-2010 - 12:33pm

LOL, thanks for sharing Jenny!

Kate


empty purse

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-24-2008
Thu, 01-14-2010 - 12:44pm

Yes, finances and life in general can be very frustrating. We are human, and there are times when we are going to wallow in self-pity.

However, we are also very blessed. You have a home and a daughter you are able to support without using up all of your income. You can afford to have a computer in your home as a luxury item for web-surfing.

I do not condemn you for experiencing frustration and wanting improvement. There is always room for improvement. I have thoughts like this quite often. Then, I listen to my friends and coworkers and realize that they do not have as happy a home as I have, they have trials I would not trade for. We all have exactly the life we should have now, and when we act responsibly with what we have, we gain more.

Look how far you've come. Did you always think you would get as far as you have? What can you do to reach your goals?

To afford these things, what will you have to give up? If you take a second job, for example, you will not see your daughter as often. Life is full of trade-offs. You have control. It really is up to you to decide where your priorities are.

I'd suggest getting your daughter involved in activities the two of you can do to earn "mad money" - those little extras. You could find ways to spend less, like saving your change or buying store brand items, but sometimes its easier to just earn more. Pick up aluminum cans and glass bottles, sell crafts on eBay (or old canes that you can claim come with ghosts - people on eBay will buy anything if you market it to them - LOL), babysit your neighbors kids together, take surveys online in your spare time with programs like PrizeLive or CashCrate, sell baked goods, host a car wash, whatever suits you two. For you, this money can be put in a special savings account for something like a car and you can suggest stuff for your daughter to use her fund for. Then you could earn more without sacrificing time with her, plus you could be helping her learn the value of a dollar.

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