We just have more options...

Lately I have been beating myself up over money woes! Seems like every time I turn around we need $100 here, $200 there. Just seemed to overwhelming. I have been researching internet, satellite, phone & cell phone service and was just about to explode with anxiety over the whole mess. We spend over $375/month for these services and it is just too much. I worry about things like this all the time even though I know it does no good. Last weekend as I was making ANOTHER list of options I was thinking "How did my parents do it? My mom didn't work full time and my dad's job was just average so how did they afford cars, clothes, horses, cattle?" Just made me feel like I was so irresponsible because I couldn't offer my kids the same opportunities I had.

Today I visited the Verizon store to see what other options we had and found out we qualify for a discount so felt better there. But as I was looking at new phones it became overwhelming again. My head was swimming! Good grief...if we all get the phone we want (the kids are just getting plain phones) it is going to be around $800 to walk out the door!!!!!!!! My gosh! So again I start the whole "how did my parents do it?'

Then I come home and both my kids are on their iPods ($450) while Garrett is watching his TV ($400), Guthri is watching our TV ($800) while sitting next to her DSi ($240), I am on my computer ($1250), all while Garrett and I are talking on our old cell phones ($350). So, I think back to my parents. They had one TV in the living room. There weren't any iPods, cell phones, computers or video games. So even if that TV in the living room was the most expensive one on the market it still would not add up to all the "stuff" we have and that is not counting the provider fees we pay each month.

So I came to the realization that it isn't that we are any worse off financially we just have more options. So instead of horses and show cattle my kids have iPods, DSis, TVs, cell phones, and computers. Not sure if that is a good thing or if I am willing to do anything about it so for now will be satisfied with the realization that we just have more options!

Oh my!

"The greedy man curses and spurns the Lord" (Psalm 10:3-4)

Wow has that been so true the last few days. Won't give lots of details but lately I have seen greed in others that I just have to stand with my mouth open. Not sure where anyone gets the mentality that their needs (well, not even needs, more like desires) are any more important than anyone else. Literally had a woman say, "Well, if that kid doesn't have the money then they don't eat." Seriously?????? Uuuummmmm....I've paid for several "wealthy" kids meals before because the PARENTS didn't take care of business and send them any money. Her kid included! I just have to pray. I don't know what else to do. Tried explaining and it did NO good. Tried arguing and made it worse. Tried being "fair and equal" but wasn't good enough. Thank God my husband can handle those situations much better than I can. He just smiles and does what is right. My eyes have been opened wide lately on what is wrong with this world! Not pretty at all!