The Family Motto, Back to Haunt Me

Growing up, those were the words I'd hear if I asked my parents for something new or complained about what we were having for dinner. I hated this motto and the sing-songy way my parents, usually my dad, would say it.

Fast forward several decades and throw in a financial meltdown and, hello!, family motto, you're starting to look pretty good to me. Not that I've ever been a crazy-crazy spender, but, still, I know I've spent money on things I didn't really want or things that made me feel good for a moment in time. For example, if I had all the money right now that I've spent on beauty products over the years, I'd be one rich chick, and, let's face, look exactly the same way I do. (Alas, beauty has never been available in a tube.)

So, here I am, about a year into my personal financial meltdown (got a headstart on the rest of the world when my husband was laid off in May 2008) and finally deciding I have to do something about it. And that something is, write about it.

I know, I'm a little late getting on the write-about-the-financial-blues-bandwagon as there are a million blogs already out there about saving money and living the suddenly fashionable frugal lifestyle. For me, it is different in that I don't care if anyone else ever reads this. This little blog is mine, mine, all mine. If someone stumbles upon it, groovy; if not, that's groovy, too. Mostly, I'm just looking for a way to chronicle my own money-saving steps, primarily as a means of reminding myself that I have made them, and dealing with my mostly out-of-control emotions about being out-of-control of the economy. (I know, I know, I never was in control, but at least I had some sense of control over my little slice of the big economic pie.)

So, truth be told, the family motto isn't back to haunt me. Instead, I'm here to embrace and write about it. My parents would be so proud!