Will we ever get ahead?

This blog years ago started off as a money saving blog. I talked about the awesome deals we could grab, as well as our struggles with finances. I've since kind of strayed from that topic and it's more about a Christian, parenting, life blog. Which is OK. But today I want to talk about finances. 

Have you ever sat down and thought about where we are in life. We are a blue collar working class family. We aren't poor, we aren't rich, we live comfortably on very little. Our house is small, but works for us. We don't buy new cars, we vacation but only when and where we can. We have savings, but make sacrifices. 

I think my description fits most of our friends, and probably a lot of the country right now. Now that the school year has started, that's the mommy new year, I am getting stricter about our budget. I work from home and there are days (could possibly be weeks) I don't leave the house except for school pickups. I don't spend much money at all. This is when I start to save the most money, or at least try to. 

But the other day as I was arguing with the car insurance lady because they feel like jacking up prices for new drivers, I thought about my parents, my inlaws and my friends parents. I thought about all the stuff that we as parents in this day in age fork out money for that our parents never had to even think about. 

Cell phones! Most of you are my age, we are the middle generation between generation X and millennials. I didn't get a cell phone until I was in college and that was only for a true, you are dying emergency. I'm a strict parent so my kids don't get their cell phone until they get to high school, but that's more money I am forking out a month that my parent's never had to worry about!

School supplies! My parent's bought the notebooks and pencils and yes we had a supply list for school but it wasn't pages long like they are now. My parent's only had to buy 1 pack of crayons, not 3 per child. My parent's bought their kids school supplies, not the entire class like we do now. They didn't have to buy specific types of notesbooks/folders, it was whatever was at the store. Nope I have to drive around town looking for the specific notebook that is required and now costs me an arm and a leg!

Car Insurance! Yes it's always been known that as we add "new drivers" to car insurance it's expensive, but I will never forget in all my days how much it increased when we added my daughter. That's with every discount possible (according to the insurance lady). I asked my parent's the other day, their comment was. "yes it was increased but not too bad, nothing to remember". Must be nice!

Let's not forget all the increases in cost of living! Houses, gas to fill the cars (that cost an arm and a leg to insure), milk and groceries. Everything increases, steadily! 

Now think about your salary. When I was teaching we got pennies each year's increase. Nothing to write home about. In fact, I supplemented my teaching salary by coaching 2 different sports. I was also a waitress during breaks and summers and 1 summer I even taught summer school. Have a teaching friend, ask them how they supplement their income, I'm almost positive they do somehow! So when it was time for me to make the decision to stay home, it was easy, in the long run I wasn't bringing home much income after childcare expenses and everything else.

My husband, as we all know, is an amazing firefighter. We all  know they aren't millionaires. They do the work because they love it! Just like police officers, teachers, nurses and many other professions. My husband loves his job, he loves working and works a second job to supplement the first. He works over time, he takes additional classes for more certifications. He does all this and we don't see pay increases. It's a city, government job, pay increases are never in the budget (story of the lives of firefighters, police officers and teachers!)

So how do we get ahead in life when we are never given the opportunity to do it? As more and more are demanded of parents financially for our kids, and salaries are left alone how do we do it? How do we save while we are forking out hundreds a month for car insurance, cell phone bills, more school supplies (because it's the middle of the year and one of the kids in the class ate all the crayons so we need to buy another 3 boxes!). What is the answer? 

My husband will never leave his job, that's not an option in our house. He loves what he does and I am happy with that. I am happy with the sacrifices we make. But should that be a lifestyle? I highly doubt any city manager has thought about this option when they get that wonderful pay increase for the 10th year in a row and there's not enough for the police officers or firefighters. I bet the school superintendent has never sat around the kitchen table wondering if they should take the car away from their teenager cause it would be cheaper then insurance and gas, but many teachers have! 

There's lots of problems with our society these days, but this is a big one. We take classes to learn how to live on budgets, to save extra and never to use credit cards. But is that real life? When Dave Ramsey created his plan (and don't get me wrong I love his Financial Peace and recommend it to everyone) but he wasn't paying for Racheal's cell phone or car insurance or travel sports or school supplies up the you know what. (Oh and don't get me started on the hundreds of birthday parties our kids get invited to now! That's for another blog post!)

There is no solution to this problem, society will never change their ways. Teachers will continue to teach the future and watch their students become successful doctors and lawyers and move on in life while they continue teaching more future minds. And firefighters will go and save the city manager from their burning house at 2 in the morning in the freezing cold, with nothing more then a thank you. 

But there is one thing, our kids, you know the ones who know what it's like to make sacrifices will appreciate all their teachers, all the police officers and firefighters who keep them safe. That is one thing I know for sure! 

For all those with young kids, or no kids yet, SAVE NOW!!! Save for the teen years, save for the elementary school supplies, save now! Take my warning! SAVE!

And before I end, I want to thank all blue collar workers! I know I only mentioned a few, but there are so many who keep our lives running everyday, so thank you!

Compassion and Americans

The simple feeling of compassion often motivates people to go out of their way to help the physical, spiritual, or emotional pains of themselves and others. My favorite definition I once saw was "to love together with". 

Today on all the news programs you will see images, hear coverage and even on some may broadcast a few of the memorial services. Today is a day that will forever be a part of our history. 16 years ago was not long at all, and for so many of it is was like yesterday. 

We talk about this day in our house in detail. We talk about the horror, but we also talk about what came from that day. Sure, we all hate the security at the airports after that day, and we all hate trying to get on any military base now, but think about the way we all came together that day. Think about the news coverage of strangers consoling one another, about the first responders (I'm a bit partial, after that day my husband still joined the fire department and risks his life everyday to save others), about our country. After that day we were all proud to be Americans. We all loved one another.

I love the news coverage about this day, I think we as Americans need to be reminded each year what we went through as a country. I think we need that presence to remind us how we should continue to be. There is so much going on in this country right now. So much conflict, destruction, anger, and why? We all have differences, yes, but aren't we all Americans. Aren't we all proud to be here.

My husband and I were talking during the football game the other night about players sitting on the side while the National Anthem played. This bothers me! I know many of you will not like my opinion and that's OK, it's my opinion. The National Anthem is a symbol of our country, not anything else. It doesn't represent Black lives matter, it doesn't represent white supremacy, it doesn't favor Jews or Christians. The National Anthem represents us as Americans. Those who sit during the National Anthem are doing nothing but undermining our country. The same country who is supporting their team enough to pay them millions of dollars to do something they love! Make sense? Nope not to me! Want to make a statement, be a role model to young Americans, stand proud with your hand on your heart for the National Anthem, tears in your eyes because you are proud to be an American. Proud that so many have sacrificed their lives for you to be here. And then after the game when you go and cash that very large check, put your money where you want to make a statement!!!

So today, we wear our Red, White and Blue, my kids and amazingly brave husband and I will talk about September 11, 2001 and remember all the lives lost. We will pray for everyone who was taken on the horrific day, pray for the families who are still affected by this day and thank God that even after such a terrible act of terrorism we, Americans, still stand tall and proud.

Our country and citizens are pretty amazing. During this time in our country we have fellow Americans still cleaning up in Texas from the hurricane, we have others in Florida who will be waking up to awful conditions from yet another hurricane, we have others who have lost everything to wildfires and yet everywhere you look people are lending a hand. Whether it's sending money or food or essentials or even prayers they are helping. And then there are those awesome role models making a huge difference! JJ Watt (who stands for the National Anthem) challenged Americans after Hurricane Harvey and as last night it was over 30 million! Now if that's not Americans coming together I don't know what is. And if that's not a role model to follow and put on a pedestal I don't know who is! (side note, I have an awesome friend at church whose daughter is the biggest JJ Watt fan you could ever imagine and I think she picked right!!)

So on this day, think about the past, but don't focus on the negative, focus on what came from that day. Focus on the continued love and compassion we show to one another. Focus on the helping hands that continue to outstretch for neighbors and fellow citizens. Continue to praise all those who do the right thing. And most importantly shine the light bright on those who are showing our children what being a compassionate, loving American is!

Prayers for the First Day

I sit here yet again, on the eve of the first day of school. So many thoughts running through my mind! Excitement for my kids and the start of yet another year of growth; anxiousness about all that will come from this school year; sadness about the summer coming to an end and not being with my kids all day; joy for learning and growing.

Last year I wrote about the teachers and the awesome Superheros they are. I will always believe that they are superheros. You can read that post here on my other blog.

This year God is pushing me to write a little different post. This year I have a prayer for everyone. Tonight I share with each of year comfort for the new year.

Teachers, as you begin a new school year, whether it's your 20th or your 1st, I hope you are excited! I know to some it's just a job, but I hope you know that these kid's love you. From the first time they met you to the very last day, they hold a special place in their hearts for you. Whether they are the "trouble maker", the "talkative" one, or the quiet, sweet one; each child in your classroom is there for a reason. Love each one! Find out why God placed that child in your care for the year. Remind yourself often that behind (most) children there are scared, nervous parents who leave that child each and every day in your care for 6 hours. I pray for you that you can look beyond the stress this year of curriculum's and lesson plans and mandatory test results and reports, and be someone special to those special ones in your care for the day. Greet each one with a smile, a hug and look into their eyes and let them know you care. Make this the best year ever!

Parents, the time has come! It's time to push that little one out the door and into the world. It's time to watch them grow, become more independent. It's time to let them become social, make new friends. It's time to let them make mistakes, so they can learn about life. It's time to put a smile on our faces, even when we want to cry, and be joyful and excited about the new journey they are about to embark on. This one is hard for me, I want to cry watching my oldest begin an important year in her high school life. It's junior year and she is prepping for her college application. She's busy with clubs, organizations, sports, AP classes and volunteer hours. She's becoming a young adult, and while I am excited and proud of the young person she is, I miss the baby girl who would climb into my lap and watch tv with me! My youngest daughter is embarking on the hardest journey of her life, thus far. She is starting a new school, walking into 6 different classes by herself, and learning to navigate this "big girl" thing. I look at her with tears in my eyes, with pride in  my smile, missing the baby girl who was excited about rain puddles to jump in and is now worried about her hair and outfit for the day. She will rock this school year, I know she will, but I also know it will be a rough road to navigate. Through anxious smiles and tears of excitement (that's what I tell her) we will get through this together. And my baby boy! He's the only one left in Elementary school this year. He's excited about so much, becoming more independent, making new friends and learning. But he's scared at the same time, his sister is no longer in the same school! He's becoming a little man! So parents, we all have our fears for our kids, anxiety of the school year and most of all sadness that they are growing up. But that's ok, because that all means we are doing our job! We must send them off, share them with the world, with those amazing teachers and show off all the hard work we have put into these little people! And remember, those awesome teachers will love and care for them!

Students, you aren't left out! I pray that you grab this school year with excitement and conquer it! Give it all you have! Walk into every classroom with a smile, greet your teachers with a smile and let them know you are here to learn. Make your parents proud, use your manners (this is important, it gets you far in life and so simple to do). In our house we start each day with a prayer. Each child says a small prayer before they leave the house, it reminds them that God is always with them, all day, each day. Kid's, we as adults expect so much from you this day in age, life is stressful, we parents forget that sometimes. Remind us gently that you are still kids. Remind us that you still want a hug, you want to forget about school sometimes and just hang out. Remind us that you still want to be a kid and sometimes forget about those hours of school work. We parents forget, and that's ok, we are human and make mistakes. But most importantly, be yourself this school year! Don't be anyone else, don't try to act like anyone else. God made you, you yourself, not you like someone else. Embrace your quirks, love your differences and shine like the light God created you to be!

This school year will be amazing. Teachers, Parents and students will rock it the way it should be. Each day will have it's ups and downs but together everyone will make it great. Remember to always shine, smile even when sad, and find the gratitude in everyday. Tonight as I pray for my kids and their first days, I will include teachers and parents every where in hopes that everyone has a great year. Because there's not much we can control in life, but we can control our light, so let's shine this year everyone!!