here.we.go.

Well, today is the day I have come to realize that we are in the 99%.  We have come to a place where what we make does not cover our expenses for the month. These figures do not include one night out to eat. AT ALL. not birthday gifts, no girls night out, no fantasy football. These figures are the bare bones of existence for us and we cannot meet those obligations starting in one week. We knew this was coming. We have tried to prepare for it, but I don't think you can be prepared for the moment that you and your husband sit down and see it on paper -
                                                                 you are broke.

 I only share this openly hoping to help others find peace and security in something higher than the check book. I have no idea how this is all going to work, but God provides for us. We can and will get through this. I cried buckets of tears last night realizing that my husband will have to look for work that will take him away from us most of the week, every week. I hate that for me, but more so for him as he will miss a lot of miss M. I would go to work, but then you have daycare costs and diapers (they won't do cloth) and many other expenses that make it stupid to switch to full time work. Then, we looked at decreasing our pay to get on assistance. That doesn't make sense either because I could not take classes back on next semester. My classes help us to pay for all the other stuff like birthdays and trips and some not-so-needed items. I am glad that this moment is finally here. I can grab life by the horns and see how this frugal living will pay off.

                                     Am I scared - yes. very much so.
                                                  Am I sad - yes.
 I have a masters and my husband has a bachelors and we are still in this predicament. My kids have no understanding of what is at stake. We have budgeted their activities in because we want them to keep at em. Gymnastics, piano, and guitar. That adds up. But we will make some sacrifices other places to make that work.

I have always been scared to look at my bank account. I have ran from the reality of credit card balances. This is our year. I said this from day one of the year. It is going to be good. God will rise us up and away from the grips from debt. It just won't be easy. or pretty. And, it may take longer than I would like. But, this is the year.

I hope that none of you face these challenges. But, you may today or someday. I am reading a Psalm and a Proverb daily. These people did not always have it easy. But God prevailed and He still does today. Even in our pocketbooks.