Budget

I don’t know if you guys are feeling the economic crunch like I am.

Mostly it feels like that moment right before the roller coaster goes down the first huge hill, and you think to yourself, “Who talked me into this…?” If you know me, you know I edited gratuitous profanity out of that statement.

Anyway, last month at RPC we had a financial seminar, and I’ve been using Dave Ramsey’s budgeting system since then. I’ve always been good with money, but I’ve slacked off in the past few years. Ramsey encourages you to account for every cent of your income, allocating it before you even get the check, so you aren’t tempted to blow it on shtuff.

I’ve been budgeting this way since February 2nd, and I’ve been able to pay all of my bills, have some fun money for clothes and eating out, and put just over $600 in my savings account. How nuts is that? I never thought I’d be able to do that.

Feel free to share any tips or tricks you have with me. It’s kind of fun playing a management game with yourself.

handcuffs

I saw handcuffs today (and not in the fun way…).

Walking up to the walmart(s) to pick up some things…I was pretty psyched I got a good parking space (we call that porn-star parking over in monts-land) and it was really pretty outside.

I get up to the main doors, I have a guy walking next to me. He looks OK. Not scary or anything. Mid 40’s, jeans, long sleeved shirt (I take descriptions in my head ’cause my dad used to be a cop and he used to quiz me on it. I could go on and on about this guy, but I will spare you), white shoes. He looks at me, smiles. I smile back. I look up and see her: she must be 80 years old. The police officer is in full uniform, left hand on her right arm, escorting her out. He is carrying her purse, which is big enough to possibly carry me. The sun glints and catches the metal on her wrists. The guy next to me sees it at the same time.

Before I could stop myself I saw, “awwww.” Not in the “how cute, that granny got caught shop lifting way,” but the “awww that is so sad. maybe she was hungry” kinda way. He looks over and laughs. It is a joke to him. I said, “that’s so sad.” He said, “Yeah, you’re right, but with the economy the way it is I’m sure we’ll be seeing things like that a lot more often.”

I will not put my opinion here, because I want to hear yours.

What do you think of the story?