Yeah, pretty sure that our finances are trying to be sabotaged by Satan. Can he even do that? Since we're thinking about selling our house and downsizing, we're realizing that none of the houses around us are selling. Our house appraised for $3000 less than what we paid for it, which means we'll potentially get less than that. We made an unnecessary, but desired purchase last week, and then this week our tires need replacing. Oh well. It's just stuff. I have very little difficulty not wanting things. Most things that most people want just aren't necessary for me, or even one of those unnecessary desires. Of course, I want some new clothes, but only because my neck lines are stretched out from kids, there are small holes in some of my shirts, my jeans do. not. fit. well. I'd love some new things, but I know that right now it's just not practical. However, Hannah has very little to wear to church, and maybe 2 or 3 shirts to wear for the winter. I'm thinking we'll have to break down and buy her some things, but I can certainly do without. Does this sound like a mother to you? Yeah, me too. Thing is, I'm HAPPY to give it up. I'm happy, not just for my kids to have it, but to maybe send it to other kids in other countries. Materialism just hasn't ever been a big thing for me. I do have those things that I love. My bed, my important jewelry, my car. I'm sure there are others, but those are the highest ones. I just don't want to take anything away from my kids though. They have so many toys, but I don't want to get rid of them. They play with them ALL the time. Basically every last toy we have they play with. They do need downsizing too, and need to learn that skill. But I know Hannah will think that I'll be talking about giving away all of her toys, and when I say something like, "Oh my word, there are so many toys EVERYWHERE!" in the past, she has said, "I know what we can do with the toys, Mommy! We can give them to children that don't have any toys!" Though she says it, I don't think she totally gets what that means though. :)
We're having a friend over tonight. It's a friend that we're getting to know, but our kids (and I) already love. Dusty takes some time though. He doesn't warm up as quickly to people as we do. Not that he doesn't like her. He does. But it'll be a few more visits before he can truly harass her and make jabs at her, like he does with Tricia. I'm also not sure she's ready for the bath and bed routine. Hopefully soon though. What to make...what to make...
Jennie, as President Clinton used to say, I feel your pain. Most of my memories of my younger years are ones where there was never enough money and worry about how things were going to get paid for was constant. Actually, we lived this way until I was in my 50's, when the children expenses went down and my salary kept going up. It also helped that Karon and I were very frugal and we saved as much as we could. We bought a modest home in 1975 and we still live in it. We had a 30 year mortgage and paid it off in 19 years. Having no house payments makes a huge difference in your disposable income! We bought cheap cars. I did all my own maintenance and repair. We measured our value by our net worth and not by the things we owned.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing the right thing by downsizing. More house than you really need is OK if you are rich, but otherwise it just causes stress. You will probably lose some money on your current house, but then again the replacement house will be correspondingly cheaper as well. And based on what you have commented before on your utility bills, just about anything better than an open barn should be more energy efficient than your current home. So there will be some more savings for you.
There is nothing to be gained from keeping up with the Jones and a lot to be gained from spending less than you learn. Peace of mind is a wonderful thing. It sounds like you have your head screwed on the right way. Good!
Later, when you are old and retired, you can spend the money you didn't spend when you were younger. That's what Karon and I are doing now. Of course you have to live long enough but so far we have.
Jennie, you will get through this adjustment period just fine. You are a tough lady and I am proud of you!
Tommy