Monday, March 26, 2012
Gumballs Anyone?
It seems lately that life and time are passing way too quickly. Trying to hold on to the past and great memories bring me sweet moments as I live this journey. So anything that seems nostalgic and represents the innocence of childhood, I love. One of my favorite blogs Two Classy Chics is hosting a FABULOUS giveaway for a replica antique Gumball Machine from Gumballs.com . If you are looking for a fun gift, check out all the awesome candy, vending and gumball machines that they have. You know like those classic red gumball machines that every kids wanted when they were young! I've always wanted one and even at 33 years of age I think I would love it more than my kids. And having a coin operated machine will be such a great way to reward my kids when they do good deeds. So I am trying to win one! And you can too. I won't be jealous if you win! Check out Two Classy Chics to enter and the giveaways are listed on the right. They do some excellent product reviews and giveaways. But hurry, this giveaway ends March 30, 2012!! Also, wish me luck!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Am I a fool?
Am I fool?
I am grateful that I live a frugal and financially responsible life, yet sometimes I question myself if I'm a fool for sticking and believing in a principle of financial self reliance and hard work. I still believe that you must work hard for what you want and that you are responsible for your life especially the financial choices that you make. Does anyone else still believe in the old fashion values of self reliance?
Unfortunately I am seeing an attitude change towards a feeling of entitlement.
I love my house. There's nothing special about it- 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and yes 1 bathroom! It's a ranch style house, built in the 70 and known as a basic farmhouse neighborhood. I think we still have some of the original fixtures and cupboards in the house. We've updated a little such as re-siding and a new roof, but to the majority, it is plain and simple- just the way I like it!
One thing that I love about my house is the yard. It's not enormously big but has enough space to put 4 apple trees, 2 cherry trees, a garden, chickens, plenty of space to play both in the front and back and it's all fenced so my little ones can play without being run over!
We only have a little under 1100 sq ft living space (JR might have to correct me on this one), but we are feeling a little crowded. We've lived in the house for 10 years and gave birth to 4 kids during those years. Our original plan was that it would be our starter home for 5 years and then we would sell to move into something a tad big bigger. But of course the market changed and since we bought the house at such a great deal with a modest mortgage it seemed that staying rather than moving was a the best choice. And I do not regret that choice at all. We weighed our options, planned for the future and was financially responsible!
My house, my home represents my value of hard work, self reliance and doing it on your own without relying on others, especially the government.
I love paying cash for my groceries, I love paying for our Health Insurance- especially my children's, (I am grateful that my husband chose a profession that offers health insurance- something you should consider when taking a job), I love that our Mortgage isn't subsidized (such as A USDA Loan), I love that I have excellent credit and no credit card, and I love that we have 1 modest, reliable car that we can afford with an affordable car payment!
I get a weird sense of satisfaction when all my bills are paid. I love writing out the checks because I can live with less stress!
But yet something is bothering me! It's not envy nor jealousy but maybe I'm feeling like a fool because I feel that self reliance is not a big deal anymore.
Unfortunately, the government has put a monetary value to our society that considers who is living below the poverty level and who's not. We are a society of classes-low,middle and high. According to society we would probably be considered low middle class...maybe- but I don't feel it. I feel blessed and rich! We can still qualify for a USDA Home Loan, Children State Health Care, food stamps, reduced school lunches. We wouldn't get the maximum amount allotted, but some. And if we had more children we would definitely qualify for even more!
I have to admit we've considered for applying for a USDA Loan so we could move to a bigger home. It's even been suggested to us. We've even went to get application, but could not bring ourselves to fill it out. Not because the process was long, but because our conscience-deep conscience- was telling us that we could afford paying for our own home if we lived frugally, responsibly, and by accepting such a loan we were somehow cheating ourselves. And yes we have pride too!.....So today we live in our little humble home.
Am I fool for not playing the game?
The state cuts to a teachers salary are becoming worse. And I even considered putting my children on State Health Care because it would save us money. We pay $800 a month in premiums and our kids qualify for a subsidized plan according to amount of yearly income we make. So basically, health insurance would only cost maybe $300 and we would have an extra $500 in our pockets. Am I an idiot for not do that? C'mon I would be saving money, but my conscience says that's not right. A dole is a dole! A part of your financial freedom is taken away!
Shouldn't I have a feeling of entitlement? My husband works hard, pays his taxes, is responsible, we live frugally and are making just enough, so don't we deserve a handout?
Should I be doing it because everyone else is doing? It bugs me inside sometimes when I find out how needs are being paid for. There are those that shouldn't have their kids on State Health Care yet live in big homes and have 3 cars and go on nice vacations- It obvious if they changed their lifestyle they could afford insurance for their family. And they make more money than we do! Are they the smart ones because they take advantage of these programs and I am fool for sticking to a principle?
C'mon if put my kids on State Health Care we would have an extra $500 to go towards a mortgage for a lot bigger house....wouldn't that be nice!
Or is this about survival of the fittest and I need to do whatever I can to get ahead, even if at the expense of others? If the government is going to dish out these entitlement programs then I should take advantage...right? I got to think of my family first. Who cares who's paying my kids healthcare, mortgage and food. I've got to pay for my huge house (which of course is subsidized)-forget a modest house- my 2 cars, cellphone, extravagant vacations and dinner out at a restaurant!
Thank goodness there is that underpaid school teacher that is financially responsible, pays for his own health care, eats Top Ramen, lives within his means, has 1 car and lives in his little humble house. Without him this wouldn't be possible!
So am I fool?
I am grateful that I live a frugal and financially responsible life, yet sometimes I question myself if I'm a fool for sticking and believing in a principle of financial self reliance and hard work. I still believe that you must work hard for what you want and that you are responsible for your life especially the financial choices that you make. Does anyone else still believe in the old fashion values of self reliance?
Unfortunately I am seeing an attitude change towards a feeling of entitlement.
I love my house. There's nothing special about it- 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and yes 1 bathroom! It's a ranch style house, built in the 70 and known as a basic farmhouse neighborhood. I think we still have some of the original fixtures and cupboards in the house. We've updated a little such as re-siding and a new roof, but to the majority, it is plain and simple- just the way I like it!
One thing that I love about my house is the yard. It's not enormously big but has enough space to put 4 apple trees, 2 cherry trees, a garden, chickens, plenty of space to play both in the front and back and it's all fenced so my little ones can play without being run over!
We only have a little under 1100 sq ft living space (JR might have to correct me on this one), but we are feeling a little crowded. We've lived in the house for 10 years and gave birth to 4 kids during those years. Our original plan was that it would be our starter home for 5 years and then we would sell to move into something a tad big bigger. But of course the market changed and since we bought the house at such a great deal with a modest mortgage it seemed that staying rather than moving was a the best choice. And I do not regret that choice at all. We weighed our options, planned for the future and was financially responsible!
My house, my home represents my value of hard work, self reliance and doing it on your own without relying on others, especially the government.
I love paying cash for my groceries, I love paying for our Health Insurance- especially my children's, (I am grateful that my husband chose a profession that offers health insurance- something you should consider when taking a job), I love that our Mortgage isn't subsidized (such as A USDA Loan), I love that I have excellent credit and no credit card, and I love that we have 1 modest, reliable car that we can afford with an affordable car payment!
I get a weird sense of satisfaction when all my bills are paid. I love writing out the checks because I can live with less stress!
But yet something is bothering me! It's not envy nor jealousy but maybe I'm feeling like a fool because I feel that self reliance is not a big deal anymore.
Unfortunately, the government has put a monetary value to our society that considers who is living below the poverty level and who's not. We are a society of classes-low,middle and high. According to society we would probably be considered low middle class...maybe- but I don't feel it. I feel blessed and rich! We can still qualify for a USDA Home Loan, Children State Health Care, food stamps, reduced school lunches. We wouldn't get the maximum amount allotted, but some. And if we had more children we would definitely qualify for even more!
I have to admit we've considered for applying for a USDA Loan so we could move to a bigger home. It's even been suggested to us. We've even went to get application, but could not bring ourselves to fill it out. Not because the process was long, but because our conscience-deep conscience- was telling us that we could afford paying for our own home if we lived frugally, responsibly, and by accepting such a loan we were somehow cheating ourselves. And yes we have pride too!.....So today we live in our little humble home.
Am I fool for not playing the game?
The state cuts to a teachers salary are becoming worse. And I even considered putting my children on State Health Care because it would save us money. We pay $800 a month in premiums and our kids qualify for a subsidized plan according to amount of yearly income we make. So basically, health insurance would only cost maybe $300 and we would have an extra $500 in our pockets. Am I an idiot for not do that? C'mon I would be saving money, but my conscience says that's not right. A dole is a dole! A part of your financial freedom is taken away!
Shouldn't I have a feeling of entitlement? My husband works hard, pays his taxes, is responsible, we live frugally and are making just enough, so don't we deserve a handout?
Should I be doing it because everyone else is doing? It bugs me inside sometimes when I find out how needs are being paid for. There are those that shouldn't have their kids on State Health Care yet live in big homes and have 3 cars and go on nice vacations- It obvious if they changed their lifestyle they could afford insurance for their family. And they make more money than we do! Are they the smart ones because they take advantage of these programs and I am fool for sticking to a principle?
C'mon if put my kids on State Health Care we would have an extra $500 to go towards a mortgage for a lot bigger house....wouldn't that be nice!
Or is this about survival of the fittest and I need to do whatever I can to get ahead, even if at the expense of others? If the government is going to dish out these entitlement programs then I should take advantage...right? I got to think of my family first. Who cares who's paying my kids healthcare, mortgage and food. I've got to pay for my huge house (which of course is subsidized)-forget a modest house- my 2 cars, cellphone, extravagant vacations and dinner out at a restaurant!
Thank goodness there is that underpaid school teacher that is financially responsible, pays for his own health care, eats Top Ramen, lives within his means, has 1 car and lives in his little humble house. Without him this wouldn't be possible!
So am I fool?
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