Money, it's what I want... or not

One area my two kids are so completely opposite is their treatment/need for money.

Since Leif was very young he has seen value in money. The kid gets a dime and holds tight to it. We used to tell him to save his money for something he would like to buy. He just saves his money. The only thing he wants to buy is more money, so when a game my Dad bought for him (Fortune Street) introduced the concept of buying stocks and he learned that it is really something you can do - make your money grow by investing it - he was all over it.

He has his own Sharebuilder account and keeps track of it.

Skadi is the complete opposite. Can't hold on to a dime to save her life. Part of this I blame on Leif at an early age. She would offer him money and he would take it. We finally had to institute a rule, "your sister does NOT need to pay you off!"

But still, money? In one hand, out her other.

She came home one day with a "Pennies for Patients" box from school and an intense obligation in her heart to fill the thing to the brim.

I tried to stop her, "honey, you don't need to fill the ENTIRE box, maybe you should keep some of your change?" And she looked at me completely perplexed. And I thought about it. What does she do with her money? Nothing. Lose it?

"Nevermind," I said, "if you want to empty your piggy bank into the box, that is fine."

And she did. Then she went to my change jar and filled up the remainder with change from my jar because she couldn't possibly take the box in 2/3 full when there are sick kids who need the money.

Leif came home and threw his box to the side. I thought about pushing him to donate some change, but then I hefted the box that Skadi had filled and didn't pursue it further.

Sunday school has started introducing the notion of the tithe with the kids. AB and I give to our church and feel this is an important aspect of our attendance and following. We are supportive of this with the kids. Most Sundays Skadi is scrambling for change to take for her offering. While Leif looks at us and rolls his eyes, "give money? Why?" Then he rolls them at his sister for even bringing the topic up.

The other day Leif announced that he thought he would like to use some of his money to buy Skylanders for the Wii. Again my first impulse was, "really, you want to spend $50 on that?"

Then AB looked at me. This was a first. We are thinking this is about the first time leif has willingly taken his own money and spent it on anything for himself. Yes, seriously. The kid is patient and will wait until his birthday or Christmas and then ask for the coveted item. And if he doesn't get it, he moves on.

Skadi on the other hand... one of her grandpas sent her $10 for her birthday. That $10 is burning a big huge and ugly hole in her pocket. My recent willingness to go stroll around Target has been about nill since reaching 38-39 weeks pregnant since the $10 bill came in the mail. And this is REALLY cramping her style. She has $10!!! There are TOYS to buy!

I keep reminding her not to lose it as when it is gone, that is it.

"Mommy, if you have to go to the hospital tonight to have the baby, will you take my $10 and keep it safe?" she asked me.

House status

I really love that house. I really do.

And even though my husband took the initiative today and called to schedule a carpet cleaning, and I scheduled a meeting with a financial advisor, we think we are going to let it slide.

See here's the problem... right now (and ignoring two upcoming family visits where a guest room would be nice) our house is fine. I still love my pergola. I am looking forward to growing pumpkins and eating fresh nectarines. I still love my orange kitchen - even if my cupboards don't have pull outs and are over crowded.

Yeah, it's only three bedrooms, and 95% of the year, that is fine. Our garage is cramped. The pantry is a disaster area that is impossible to organize because of the deep dark depths. And to top it off we have an apartment building looming behind us.

I like my big huge tub that I can easily fit into with the kids. I like my library and the decorating in the kids rooms.

And I love my pergola and patio. (Thanks AB and everyone else who helped pour concrete.)

I like having money. This may sound obvious... but after a year of AB being unemployed and in school, a year where we slid into debt while gambling on our future, it is paying off. We have made substantial gains in the past 6 months of permanent employment to better our financial situation. I like the fact that we have plans to go to Hawaii with my mom and stepdad this year... and that we will be able to pay cash for the trip.

I like knowing that every month we can easily make ends meet.

I am enjoying my monthly goals lined out to improve the house little by little, purge things and prepare for a move. A move that in one year, we will be monetarily ready to make. We will be able to afford to make.

I still love that house. But for now it is a little too far out of our reach.