It really can't buy happiness but with today's increasingly cost of living, it sure as hell helps to make you a little happier.
When I sit down and think about money, I get disgusted. There is never enough to go around. It doesn't help that we live in California where the cost of living is ridiculous, the gas prices skyrocket for piss poor reasons and you have no choice but to commute to work to make living affordable.
The other day I was looking at plane tickets. I really want to go back to Wisconsin this summer, but I just don't see how that is possible anymore. With all the car issues we had earlier in the year, and the grocery bill nearly doubling as the cost of food raises, and gas (well don't get me started), plane tickets seem to be out of reach. I have yet to justify spending $300 per person for a weekend.
I would love to be able to go home. My budget doesn't nearly support my dreams of traveling. It doesn't support my want of a hot date out on the town all the time. And it surely doesn't pay for a maid that will clean and organize my house so I could spend my extra time writing!
On the other hand.... I have an amazing family. My kids never fail to say something that will make me laugh. My husband is never short on showing me how much he loves me. And those I am fortunate enough to call friends have filled my heart with riches that can never be spent. They are memories to be hoarded inside my heart to keep going when times get rough.
Now if only love would pay my electric bill this summer when it gets hot and the AC is turned on!
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| Who wouldn't love to have a handful of 100 dollar bills in their hand? |
If you would like to participate in Wordless (or Wordy, since I obviously failed at the Wordless part this week!), check out my dear friend Cyndi over at Pictimilitude for ways to submit.
I understand, but do not worry too much. I revamped my thinking on the money thing, and I never want to eat out any more now that I got back into cooking. California is expensive, but I started being excited about my native state again when I realized people from around the world come here on vacation. Maybe your family could come see you this summer, and you can take them to Disneyland?
ReplyDeleteI hear you! Money sure helps doesn't it:))
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to see you write about how fortunate you are in a money post, with not focusing on money...I think we are all that lucky, just get blinded by the all mighty $ soemtimes
ReplyDeleteSay no more and can so relate to just not having enough money and trust me I have enough aggravation and annoyances about it over here, too!! Sorry Stacy you are going through this, but just know you are in good company!
ReplyDeleteyer rollin' in the Benjamins! lol You can always take the Greyhound. ;)
ReplyDeleteMoney, ah yes. Does it bring happiness? Who knows. But a plane ride home to WI would be nice. My hubby went to UW (Madison) and he would love to live there. First time he took me there was for a Jan. wedding - 10 degrees without the wind chill factor. Ugh! But I sure do love the people; some of our best friends live there...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, love the pic and love the post. You are rich beyond all measure with what you do have.
Ugh. I feel the same way about money. The cost of living is high here too, and my husband spends a fortune commuting to NYC everyday. And did I mention the weather sucks? Lol! I want to travel too...but I am very lucky - just like you said - I have a loving family right here around me. Who needs money?
ReplyDeleteI wish it was that simple!
I love your attitude about cherishing your family and husband, rather than focusing on money. It can be so hard to do, especially when you're constantly paying bills and trying to stay on top of expenses. Since we have 3 kids too, I feel the pinch too. I don't buy new clothes, though I'd like to. We don't go out to eat as much I'd like to, and so on. My husband wants to move somewhere less expensive, but I'm not sure when/where that will happen. In the meantime, we do what we have to in order to make ends meet.
ReplyDeleteThe cost of living is rising almost everywhere. Tack on expenses like student loans, and well, I wouldn't mind having a stack of bills similar to the ones in your picture.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I love your blog name :)
Isn't it crazy how ridiculous the cost of living has gotten? But salaries don't seem to coincide at all. And I can empathize on not being able to go 'home' for a visit when you want to - it's crazy expensive. One of the reasons why I've only been 'home' to Seattle twice in the 15 years since moving to PA. But I love your positive spin on it and you appreciating your family and friends! :)
ReplyDeletePsycho Mother Nature
I wish everybody's incomes had gone up with inflation. The whole cost of living mess sucks. I wish you could return home, too. sigh
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain and I think the person that said that is a jackass! LOL
ReplyDeletemoney...is so important.
ReplyDeleteWish I could say with authority, "show me the money"!!
lol....sorry the cost of living is so high out there! Money troubles do make things hard, but it sounds like you have a great family! That's a true blessing indeed! Thanks for dropping by my blog!
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ReplyDeleteHave you thought about getting a credit card for an airline? We have a Southwest card and put everything on it we can (they won't let us put our mortgage or student loans on there. Jackasses.)
This allows us to have enough points for me to fly wherever I want for free, and we spend enough each year that I get a free "companion pass" for one person, who gets to fly with me for free for all of the next calendar year. I usually pick my husband as my companion, but that spot can be sold to a reasonable bidder. We never pay to fly and it's awesome. If you want to fly, I would say that's your best bet.
Also, I think that technically, there is a way that "love" could pay your electric bill, but it involves a C felony and a lot of pelvic inflammatory disease. Not that I'd know or anything....
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And certain things, money can never buy! And in certain ways, it definitely makes us that much happier. You made me think this afternoon, Stacy!
ReplyDeleteThe food and petrol prices are the same here! Oh, and let's not forget electricity. Sigh. On the bright side, maybe your book will become a huge hit once it hits online and you'll have some extra money to go home? We can only hope and dream, hey? We're also wanting to go on holiday this year. We need it. Especially my husband. Poor guy, he works so hard. Why don't salaries go up too?! Grrr.
ReplyDeleteMoney isn't everything, but it definitely helps to make things easier. Sounds like you have plenty of people around you to make you happy!
ReplyDeleteA little more of the green stuff would be most welcomed.
ReplyDelete