Money!!!

I am not exactly sure what I want to say on this topic.  I read a quote this morning about budgets.  The quote stated that a budget is a keeping a record of living beyond your means.  I found this statement hilarious.  The problem, however, is that this is exactly what most people's budgets are. 

My wife and I are TERRIBLE with budgets.  We know how much we have to spend and how much "free money" we have each pay period or month.  The problem is that we are both enablers.  Both of us!  If I want something, we rationalize why it is OK to get it.  If she wants something, I just go get it for her or tell her we will get it figured out.  This is no way to run a family's finances but there it is. 

For those who know us, you know that I used to work at Cat and now work for the City.  For those of you who do not know us, well, reread the last sentence.  What people may not know, but probably have inferred, is that I made a LOT more working for Cat than I do working for the City.  Another thing that is not really common knowledge is that I have turned back call backs for returning to Cat twice.  That is right, even though Anessa and I barely make ends meet, I have TWICE given up more money.  Want to know a secret?  We have NEVER been a happier couple or family!

That is right.  Although we make less money and fewer extras, we are closer now than ever before.  I do not travel.  I do not stress about work.  I absolutely LOVE what I do for a living and we make real differences in the lives we touch and actually are part of our community's solution.  And this, my friends is SO much more important to me, Anessa, and our children.

The money is nice.  Do not get me wrong.  I wish I got paid more for the work I did.  I don't, though, and that leads to me and Anessa really needing to do something.  We are taking that finance class that everybody and their brother has gone through.  Well, my brother has gone through it at least and they claim it worked for them.  I am hoping it can help us reign in some of our unnecessary spending and teach us a few things.  What we really need, though, is a shot of discipline.  Until we take steps in ourselves to discipline ourselves, we will not win in the monetary arena.

Oh well, not sure where this blog was going today.  I am glad that people read this.  I monitor the people who follow and read my blog.  There are two consistent readers from other countries that read each blog I post and I thank you for reading.  Please feel free to comment.  I would like to put names or faces to you.  Thanks to everybody else as well.  At least I know I am not talking to myself!