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People first. Then money. Then things

That is Suze Orman's mantra, and I like it, even if I do not agree with everything she says. That has been my philosophy over the past few months while unemployed. As I have written many times, I have been blessed to be able to spend this time with my daughter. Sure, I am not so good at disciplining her, something that will come back to bite me in the butt, I am sure. But I like to think just spending the time with her, watching and helping her learn, etc., will outweigh the negative.


I have also spent a lot of time with my mom; every two weeks on average, Jordan and I spend a night or two at her house. Brian is happy to have us out of the house, since we have been together pretty much 24/7 since Brian works from home; Jordan gets to swim at my mom's, and we just get to be with her, which is nice. It will be a little sad for me not to drive up there during the week, but we still have weekends. If only the rest of my family lived closer.


As for the money part, I, along with many others, wish I had more. I have played the Powerball about three or four times since I was laid off, not so much wishing for the big prize, but rather hoping for whatever would give me at least several tens of thousands so I could take my time finding a job. (Yes, I am kind of doing that now.)


I don't think money buys happiness. If it did, would so many Hollywood types keep getting divorced, doing drugs, etc.? But you do need it to live. I have been okay giving up stuff during this time. Most of it is so meaningless. But having a reduced income does present challenges for other expenses.


Tires? Just replaced my four, which were not cheap thanks to an unusual (read: expensive) size.


AC? Repair guy is here for the second day in a row. Yesterday, he replaced our 3.5 year old circuit board. Four hours later, the AC stopped working. Again. We had already replaced our thermostat earlier this summer, and we had a furnace repair this winter. We need to replace our furnace/AC pretty soon; we keep spending money on repairs to an old unit. But we don't have that kind of money now. And besides, you'd like to think that these repairs would last more than a few years or even a few months!


I hate to think of what else is coming next, and I have probably just jinxed myself by saying this. But don't things come in threes? I could really use another one of those stimulus checks right about now. Until then, I will focus on people...
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Anonymous said…
People first IS a good mantra.
August 26, 2009 at 8:47 AM
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