Financial Friday- Discovering my financial personality

Staring at the reality of things
This week I have been thinking a lot about the cost of college.  And plane tickets.  And road trips.  Just when I think I kind of have things under control in my mind about money, I realize that I actually am so far behind.  It's depressing. It's going to cost us about $250 to register Oldest for high school this year.  That is without the cost of driver's ed, because thankfully, she won't be taking that until next year.  I basically have to work for about 6 days to pay for that.  I can do that.
I would have to work for about 17 days to pay for a road trip to see family. That's a lot of days for me.  That would be the point where the balance between work in the home and work outside the home would be pretty whacked.  And I most likely wouldn't be able to focus on anything else because I would be exhausted.  10 days a month is probably my max at this point.
I would have to work 250 days to pay for one year of college (thankfully Oldest is looking at CHEAP colleges). Considering I am a substitute teacher and there are only 180 days per school year, this is where things get tricky. Am I working outside the home for college or for trips to see family?

Just exactly WHO AM I financially?

Being on a budget has taught me that I am never going to be a miser.  Just isn't going to happen. It has taught me that becoming more thoughtful about how I spend money is going to be a process for me.  I was really hoping I could flip a switch and just be an instantly frugal coupon genius lady.  That just isn't me either.


Who I am is someone who wants to meet our needs and provide important opportunities for our family.  I count needs as: shelter, clothing, food, education and medical care.  I count the important opportunities as: seeing family, traveling together, and providing experiences that develop the girls' talents so they can pursue higher education or develop career paths.

So how do I become that?
Well, I think I need to get rid of the burdens already hanging over our heads first.  That would be the credit card and a medical bill.  I think that before I can commit to any of the things I want to do, I need to help the Bishop get rid of that debt.  Without that monthly expense, we will be able to save up for a very nice road trip in just a few months.  I will also feel more secure about handling emergencies. 

• I guess the thing I have to do is to say YES to work.

• I need to say NO to all the trips, fundraisers, treats and gifts for others. This is a hard one for me, because one thing I know about my financial personality is that I LOVE giving gifts and being generous.

• I need to know that I can have all the enriching experiences with my family I want AFTER I get this debt taken care of.  My family isn't going anywhere.  The nieces and nephews will grow up, but they'll actually remember me being there the older they get.  It will be ok if we don't go anywhere this summer, even though I had already planned to....ugh....shouldn't have told the kids we'd take a road trip....that will be a conversation that we'll have to have over homemade cookies and milk.

• I'll need to find some way to generate a little income over the summer.  I have an idea and it would involve working with people I love and would be creative.  That is something I need, I need to have creative outlets in my work.  

Four little steps to uncovering my true financial self.  I can do it.  One day at a time (as my dad is fond of saying).  It's really time in my life to stop letting money be a bully over me and take charge of my financial self.  In the process of all that I am hoping to not only be stronger financially, but in a better place emotionally as well.  Win, win.  I will be more myself and I'll be a stronger self too. 

but that saying "no" thing is going to be a bugger....