Just A Bit Tight...

August is traditionally "beans and rice" month for my family.

Why you might ask? Well as a teacher we don't get paid until a month AFTER we go back to work. Now, for those who have managed their money wisely and planned ahead I'm sure it is most definitely not a "beans and rice" month for their families. But no matter how hard I try I never seem to make it work. So, therefore, we eat a lot of beans and rice til payday arrives because it is cheap and affordable and filling.

It's really not that different from when I was growing up. My mother was a teacher and I always remember her most creative meals came from back-to-school times when the pantry was almost empty and she had to really dig deep to provide for three growing kids. We used to joke that we were "Food Club" kids as that was the non-name brand that you could most often find on our shelves. Did it taste any different? Not at all but it was much easier on the pocketbook, that's for sure, and you can bet you'd find the same brands in my pantry today.

My son recently has shown interest in money and how it works. Now at four years of age, he is definitely a bit young to grasp the concept of our monetary system but believe me...he knows that it is important and that it does something.

Devin: "Mommy, maybe today you can take me to the store."
Mommy: "Why is that Devin? We went shopping for groceries yesterday so we don't need anything."
Devin: "I have money. I was thinking I could buy you something."
*note--the money that Devin is talking about consists of pennies and quarters that live in his piggy bank.
Mommy: "Oh that is so sweet of you but I don't need anything. You can just save your money to spend on yourself."
Devin: "Oh no mommy, I really think you need something. I was thinking that you could take me to Fred Meyers because you really need an elephant."
Mommy: "An elephant? Really? Now what would I do with an elephant?"
Devin: "You could ride it to work. Now come on and wet's go to the store..."

I'm not so sure an elephant could do 65 mph on the highway or what kind of gas mileage it gets but I'm almost positive that Fred Meyer's probably doesn't carry them.

Money is a tricky thing and with kids you can never have enough of it. The baby itself throws your budget for a loop with the birth and then there are diapers and maybe formula and doctors visits and deductibles to be met...and before you know it the ultimate cost with having a kid...DAYCARE. We pay more in daycare costs right now than some people pay on their mortgage. I cringe every month when I write the check but also know that you pay for what you get and believe me...I adore my daycare provider and would give her my left kidney if it was the only way my kids could stay with her. These costs are only the beginning...later there are sports fees and braces and hair cuts and school supplies...it is truly endless. We don't live an extravagant lifestyle but having two kids has definitely put a strain on our budget that wasn't there before.

So today I am thankful that I have beans and rice in my cupboard and that my mother was a great example of how to make a delicious something out of seemingly nothing. It may be tight at times but I know that with a little creativity we can always make it through the tough month of August and beyond.

And contrary to my son's belief, I don't see any elephants in my future.