Money - It's a Crime
Forgive me for my Pink Floyd reference; however my brother (Chester) has inundated me with Pink Floyd videos, CD's and Live 8 reunion concerts the last couple of times I have been to Colorado. I'm talking hours and hours of brain washing. It's getting to the point where I am ashamed to say that I actually like the Floyd.
But money is a crime.
My husband and I have doubled our salaries (and then some) since we made the move to California...but it's never enough. I get so excited when I get paid and then I realize I have an abnormally high mortgage (cost of living in So Cal), utilities, trash and other expenses to take care of. At least when all the bills are accounted for, I still have a little fun money to go out to a nice dinner with my husband or buy a new pair of black leather calf boots from J. Crew or...well, wait a minute, maybe not.
There are some other expenses that should probably be taken care of. For instance, buying groceries. Now that I think about it, it will be nice to eat. Then there's the f-ing gas. I think I've purposefully blocked that cost out of my mind (it's over 100 bucks for my husband and I...per week). But, I suppose my boss would appreciate my presence at work.
Oh, there's more... the dry cleaning (90 bones easy) and wait, I need makeup and hairspray ($15 for each) and what about my hair?!? I can't let the mullet show it's ugly face again!
AND we save. Both Donny and I invest in our company held 401k's and additionally, we each have an IRA. My sensible side is telling me that I will be happy when I'm 55 and I won't be worrying about how I will support myself until I kick the bucket. Then there's the side who says, "C'mon Tight Ass! Live a little!"
Like some women, I don't have a spending problem...anymore. My husband nipped that habit right in the bud. So, splurging for me now consists of going to a thrift store and purchasing a new outfit for $20-$25 or going out to lunch during the week with my coworkers where the restaurant actually has chairs, table, and wait staff (and there is no sign of Hector's Burritos anywhere).
By the time all f-ing expenses are taken into consideration, I have enough money for quarter beer night or, if I don't feel like having to tip, purchasing Miller Lite "talls" and drinking them at home at my leisure before going out (I'm becoming smart in my old age).
Don't get me wrong, I am by no means poor or deprived in any way, shape or form BUT no matter how much bacon I bring home it's never enough! Can somebody please tell me why that is?
Is my life destined to consist of me digging the proverbial grave with expenses, just trying to keep up with the lifestyle to which I've become accustomed to? Shit, that would suck!
Believe or not, I have seriously considered selling the house and all of our worldly possessions and relocating to a third world country to actually witness what real poverty and strife is, but then I think, "Martha, get serious. How will you take care of Donny or yourself if "something" were to happen?"
So, instead I try to ease my conscience a little by grocery shopping once a week for a 94 year old woman who can no longer drive. In fact, she has outlived her husband and children and has no other relatives within state lines to speak of. Shopping for her has actually turned into the highlight of my week. She also has me look over her mail (she uses prescription glasses and a magnifying glass at the same time, but still has no clue what the printing reads). She also has memory loss and half the time has no clue who I am when I come to the door. It's almost overwhelming to see her confused face (she 4'10" and all of 85 pounds) when she answers the door with her white hair and glossed over eyes.
I'm actually kind of worried that I may find her dead one of these days. Sorry about the morbid thought, but seriously!
I'm wealthy in many other ways besides monetary. I have an awesome immediate as well as extended family, I think of my in-laws as my family and I have a husband who supports and loves me unconditionally.
I would say that I'm the Bill Gates when it comes to wealth that matters. I feel a little better now, but still want those damn J. Crew leather boots!
But money is a crime.
My husband and I have doubled our salaries (and then some) since we made the move to California...but it's never enough. I get so excited when I get paid and then I realize I have an abnormally high mortgage (cost of living in So Cal), utilities, trash and other expenses to take care of. At least when all the bills are accounted for, I still have a little fun money to go out to a nice dinner with my husband or buy a new pair of black leather calf boots from J. Crew or...well, wait a minute, maybe not.
There are some other expenses that should probably be taken care of. For instance, buying groceries. Now that I think about it, it will be nice to eat. Then there's the f-ing gas. I think I've purposefully blocked that cost out of my mind (it's over 100 bucks for my husband and I...per week). But, I suppose my boss would appreciate my presence at work.
Oh, there's more... the dry cleaning (90 bones easy) and wait, I need makeup and hairspray ($15 for each) and what about my hair?!? I can't let the mullet show it's ugly face again!
AND we save. Both Donny and I invest in our company held 401k's and additionally, we each have an IRA. My sensible side is telling me that I will be happy when I'm 55 and I won't be worrying about how I will support myself until I kick the bucket. Then there's the side who says, "C'mon Tight Ass! Live a little!"
Like some women, I don't have a spending problem...anymore. My husband nipped that habit right in the bud. So, splurging for me now consists of going to a thrift store and purchasing a new outfit for $20-$25 or going out to lunch during the week with my coworkers where the restaurant actually has chairs, table, and wait staff (and there is no sign of Hector's Burritos anywhere).
By the time all f-ing expenses are taken into consideration, I have enough money for quarter beer night or, if I don't feel like having to tip, purchasing Miller Lite "talls" and drinking them at home at my leisure before going out (I'm becoming smart in my old age).
Don't get me wrong, I am by no means poor or deprived in any way, shape or form BUT no matter how much bacon I bring home it's never enough! Can somebody please tell me why that is?
Is my life destined to consist of me digging the proverbial grave with expenses, just trying to keep up with the lifestyle to which I've become accustomed to? Shit, that would suck!
Believe or not, I have seriously considered selling the house and all of our worldly possessions and relocating to a third world country to actually witness what real poverty and strife is, but then I think, "Martha, get serious. How will you take care of Donny or yourself if "something" were to happen?"
So, instead I try to ease my conscience a little by grocery shopping once a week for a 94 year old woman who can no longer drive. In fact, she has outlived her husband and children and has no other relatives within state lines to speak of. Shopping for her has actually turned into the highlight of my week. She also has me look over her mail (she uses prescription glasses and a magnifying glass at the same time, but still has no clue what the printing reads). She also has memory loss and half the time has no clue who I am when I come to the door. It's almost overwhelming to see her confused face (she 4'10" and all of 85 pounds) when she answers the door with her white hair and glossed over eyes.
I'm actually kind of worried that I may find her dead one of these days. Sorry about the morbid thought, but seriously!
I'm wealthy in many other ways besides monetary. I have an awesome immediate as well as extended family, I think of my in-laws as my family and I have a husband who supports and loves me unconditionally.
I would say that I'm the Bill Gates when it comes to wealth that matters. I feel a little better now, but still want those damn J. Crew leather boots!
posted by Martha | 7:10 AM
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