I guess one could say that a short sale or foreclosure could certainly be the reason for lifestyle change. For me, it’s the realization that my lifestyle…the way I function daily has changed. Yesterday, Kris and I had lunch with our daughter and grandson. Nothing fancy, we chose a nearby hamburger/hot dog lunch spot.
As we finished up our lunch, our daughter, 28 in all her wisdom started packing up the left over hot dog that was not eaten as well the rest of her lunch. Without hesitation we finished the clean up and started to get up and leave. Our daughter, looked at me and said “Isn’t it funny how we are about food these days”! I had to smile, because my girls were not taught the best practices of “saving” things while growing up. I was really horrible about throwing everything away, going through the refrigerator on a weekly basis checking expiration dates and tossing anything that was “expired”….
Wow, how I’ve changed! There was a time that I would use a little of an onion and throw away the rest just because…you know…it may smell up the fridge.
Kris and I dropped off the kid’s and drove home. The entire way home the conversation was about how much we have had to adapt our lifestyle to meet the new economy.
You know all of those things that I used to throw out because there was a date that said I should…are now on my target list to pick up at discount! I seek out the “expired” stuff and find a true sense of victory by saving money…so crazy…I know. I get so excited about getting a head of lettuce for 38 cents! Who cares if it’s a little wilted, the salad dressing will cover all that up! I’m not getting paid to say this, and it’s only going to be for anyone living in CA,AZ and NV…but you have to check out Fresh and Easy, they are usually placed in neighborhoods for convenience and thats a good thing when we’re paying over $3 dollars a gallon for gas.
For me, the past few years have been a real learning experience. I’ve watched both of my girls have their own children, both of them lose good paying corporate jobs due to cut backs. One of them actually had to do a short sale because of the loss of income.
So, to hear my youngest say to me…”I think I’ll take this home for Ryan” (her husband) brings things full circle.
We all have to adapt, get smart and survive. Look for the good deals at the discount stores, wait for sales until we buy things. Spend money like we may not have it to spend next month.
It’s change all right, and you know what? I believe it’s made our family closer and definitely shown all of us the importance to not “throwing away” hard earned money…on anything. Realizing what is important and what’s not.
Not to date anyone…let’s say just over thirty years ago when we were raising the girls… our entertainment was playing board games and watching “Nick at Night”. We didn’t have the luxury of going out for dinner that often and if we did it was pizza. I cherish those times, time spent with the kids talking, laughing and listening.
Our grand daughter is almost 5 years old, but mentally going on 12…really, just like her mom…but that’s another blog!
Watching her grow up and form her personality, as a grandma, is so completely different from being a mom… I was always too busy to really take the time to enjoy.
I’m blessed to have this chance to “take the time and enjoy” and I want leave you with this thought.
Maybe your not working right now, maybe you’ve lost your home or your going to in the near future…take advantage of the extra time you have to “find enjoyment” in what you DO have, not what you DON’T have.
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