For those who are struggling financially

[tinker&belle]

OP, I saw an ad on TV for Great Clips tonight for $6.99 and wondered if that would work for you. Even if you tip $3, you are still out the door for just under $10.

 

[trainingupmy4princes]

My problem is I envy the families that are happy all the time with their kids so well behaved. We have one DS with autism and Sensory integration disorder and another one with behavioral disorders (most people think they're just brats. )I love my children but sometimes I feel so drained and I'll see some happy mom with her kids who look like angels next to mine and it's discouraging. But, I know God would want me to focus on the gifts he's given me in these boys. I just need to remember to be thankful for what is not wrong with them. Oh and now we need to have one of our sons tested for Tourette's but I will be thankful just to have a diagnosis so we can go from there as not knowing what's wrong with your child is worse. I think we all have these feelings every once in a while. for everyone having one of those days.
ETA: I am extremely thankful for our little princess. Our whole family has always wanted one but thought we never would. We know she is an extra blessing from God.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

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[dreamin_disney]

I did feel some jealousy but more frustration with SIL and DBL. They are a family of 5 and at one time SIL didnt work. They had a nice home but sold it and bought a bigger nicer home. They had nice cars and always going places.
Dh and I are a family of 3 and we both work. We both had older cars and older home in a nice area and lots of bills.
I would get so upset with dh because I just couldnt understand why his brother was doing better then us and we were always broke.
Then DBL and SIL bought new cars and newer home and az time share. Eventually SIL started working part-time.
Then I find out the real scoop. The cars they were buying were used, they had one bankruptcy . a few years later they were able to sale their home and and buy the newer home and timeshare. Then a few years after that they bought their newer home and acted like they were renting their home but actually let it go once they got the newer house.

So even though they have had a lot of nice things and home and happy to ssay that everything dh and I have we struggled and worked hard for and did things the right responsible way.

I decided to stop stupid spending and payoff creditcards so i coulod use that money on a car payment. I was able to buy my very 1st car at the age of 35 years old. Dh was also able to get a new car by trading in his old truck for the $4500 trade in special that was going on state wide. his truck was only worth $1500-$2000 and was going to need repairs. We've started smart shoppping and only buying what we need. Dh and I color my own hair. I only get a pedi once in awhile. Dd and I walk into stores and dont impulse shop.

We save our change and put it into a vacation account. The money I earn from creditcard rewards goes into the same fund. I use creditcards that have rewards and i pay it off in full. I'm down to one creditcard thats 0% until 3/23/13 so my payments are $25 a month. Ipay that and use the rest of my check for car payment, x-mas fund, gas, bills, and savings.
I have a flex account and that money goes to a vacation acct. We dont vacation every year we've on started a few years ago so we've done
wdw in 11/08
4 night cruise 11/09 we are skipping vacation this year so we can use that money on tile flooring.

We will have another yardsale and that money will go to tile fund. I think instead of being jealous just use that energy tobetter your situation. At first it will be ahrd and a struggle but if you keep it up you'll be better off in the end. It depends on your spending habbits . my SIL spend most of her money on looking good all the time and keeping up with the jones' but We put our money into our home and family needs.