I am just getting started on the last 40 minutes of my 320's. I read on the train this morning so I only have two other things to do. I took some time this evening to look over our emergency preparedness plan and inventory our 72 hour kits. The kids have grown a lot and the main things we were missing were clothing related. We also need to update some of the food items, but the main thing was that most of the kit was scattered into three parts, which would make its usefulness in an emergency null.
I also updated my checkbook, which is something I have just started doing on a weekly basis. Before that Julie had the burden and we often argued about finances. Our new system seems to be working well. This is our third month with the system and I am pleased, and we haven't fought once about it yet. Basically, I am in charge of all the bills and the main bank account. Julie is in charge of a separate account for spending on things like food, clothes, gasoline, etc. The amount is fixed for now, but seems a little on the low side. However, the motivation for her is that if she is wise with it, she can spend any extra she accumulates however she wants. It also means we could go hungry, but luckily she is a loving wife and mother.
It feels good to have a more strict budget because we both know exactly where the money is going. It also feels a bit constrictive right now because we paid off our credit cards. After running the numbers I thought we could pay off all of our creditors. I paid off all but one just to be safe, and I honestly think the plan would work, but we have a vacation coming up and I don't know how we could pay cash for it. So we will probably dip back into the tar pits of credit again soon.
My guilt is exacerbated by a quote from David B. Hales of the quorum of the twelve who said "You should not use credit cards to go on vacation or things of that nature. Pay cash for them and you will avoid debt." He is right. It is a little late now that we have airline tickets....but my mind is starting to think of a few ways we could save money and still have fun. After all it is our tenth anniversary and we should celebrate our magnificent marriage. However, following the council of a prophet will get us further both in this life and the next than just throwing caution to the wind in a frivolous attempt to regain our youth through materialism.
I read a depressing article about debt today. I have a fair amount of debt myself. It is really unavoidable with a family of this size to support. It would be nice if Federal Financial Aid would take into consideration people with families. It makes me sad that some of my lab mates can enjoy themselves and save money each month, while I borrow money every month just to pay my bills and eat. It is even more depressing to think that about two months of every year those needs are met through a credit card because I can't even qualify for enough loan money to cover those months. I will admit that part of the problem was a lack of skill at budgeting my money in the past. That is one of the reasons I am trying to gain control of our finances. However, I still fill that there are some big gaps in the way the money is appropriated. I guess what I am getting at is that the whole purpose of financial aid is to assess the needs of the individual, but having a family and being married doesn't really seem to factor into my financial package. The counselors will say it does, but honestly an extra $3k a year compared to a single student is really nothing when there are 5 mouths to feed.
You may be thinking that I shouldn't be in school with a family? Perhaps you are right, but then on some levels isn't that a form of discrimination? Make sacrifices you say? Isn't going to school a sacrifice? I have been in school every year since 1997, going every summer, and that entire time I have been married, I also worked full time all 5 years I was getting my bachelor's degree. I point these things out not to brag, but to say that I think I have been making sacrifices. Perhaps they were the wrong ones. What would I like to see? Need based financial aid that makes sense for everyone. I don't want my lab mates to go into debt in graduate school, but then I don't want to either. After all my salary is enough for them to live on comfortably, why then can I not have the same?
2 comments:
I think that your observation of the criterion regarding those things which merit more federal funding, falls in line with a shift in social values that has been mounting since the end of the baby boomer era. Even though having kids isn't overtly discouraged, it has become more of a trendy hobby (look at Brad and Angela)than a social value. I agree with your implicit argument that if you work as hard as you can, you and, those dependant on you, should be able to live comfortably. I guess it is the dual edged sword of capitalist America.
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