5 Oct
No Birthday for You, Kids, We’re Getting Out of Debt!
Money never seemed to be much of an issue growing up even though we didn’t have much of it. My mother was a single parent and we were on welfare for a while, but I never knew about it. I have no memories of going without or being poor.
What I do remember are the empowering things she taught me. One of her favorite sayings is “Do you know how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
The youngest memory I have that proved to be most life-changing is from the day I wanted a chocolate chip cookie and she said, “Go make them.” How? “The instructions are on the back of the package, just follow them step-by-step and you’ll be fine.” And it worked.
I was sold. The magic of following directions and achieving a result was incredible. I could do anything and I was only eight!
So you can see how I became enamored with going by-the-book, following instructions, step-by-step, get it done… now that I think about it, it is no wonder I became an engineer.
That is also why it is so important that I married The Wife. If it were up to me we would do nothing but pay off debt until we were done (i.e. follow instructions…), but thankfully The Wife ensures that we remember to live a little too.
Next week the kids turn five and they asked to go to Disneyland instead of having a party at home. CAN YOU SEE THE RED FLAGS FLYING FROM MY EARS?!
Last night The Wife talked me down from my miserly ledge and reminded me that we can do the trip frugally and have a ton of fun. It being their birthday, the kids will get in free. The Wife and I will be comp’d by a dear friend who works there and the rest of the day will just have to stay within a budget.
It won’t be the legendary $19 day we did last time, but it will be a lot less than throwing a party at home. No hotels for us. We’ll make the long drive to the park first thing in the morning, pack a lunch, buy each kid a moderate souvenir to remember the birthday by, and commute home after dark…
Do I smell a plan coming together here? Dare I say — some instructions? I can do this. Breathe, Dad, breathe. No, it’s not going to get us out of debt quicker, but it will keep everyone in the family smiling and that’s the whole reason we’re doing this thing after all.
Step 1. Pre-heat oven to 350
the Dad
Posted by Music Man on 10/05/09 at 10:10 am
Ha! I tell you I’ve been dealing with the birthday issue as well. I have a couple nephews that were born a couple days apart and my wife keeps reminding me that we have to get them gifts. I love them dearly but in the past this would be a stressful time. Fortunately, we have been putting away a little money for gifts (also not by the book since we are also on step 2) so I feel a lot better about it. Plus when we walk in the store with cash I know that we will keep our spending for the occasion under control. Just remember: it’s gonna be no fun being rich if your children use the money to put out a contract on The Dad because he wouldn’t take them to Disneyland.
Posted by Sharon on 10/05/09 at 11:55 am
It sounds like a memory in the making! Enjoy it!!!!
Posted by Kelsalynn on 10/05/09 at 4:54 pm
Man, I totally agree- opposites attract and truly do help! I could skimp and save and watch every penny, but my husband reminds me we need to live a little.
I think an inexpensive trip to Disneyland sounds like a wonderful idea – Go The Wife! And go you, The Dad, for listening and realizing she’s right!
Posted by Stacie on 10/06/09 at 2:37 am
Great! Yes, you can do this! Make sure the kids know how you are able to pull off this fantastic day (without being preachy, of course)!
My 15 year old son wants a backyard birthday party! We are borrowing a flag football set from church and having water balloon fights! My kids “get it” when we talk about getting out of debt and how important it is to be frugal.
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by Lea on 10/07/09 at 5:04 am
Heck yes! A day at Disneyland for your girls’ birthday sounds awesome! Since you get in for free, I can’t imagine a better trip!! Heck, a visit to Chuck E. Cheese with pizza, soda and enough tokens to really let lose and have fun involves at least $30 – Disneyland for $30 is way, way, way, way better!!!
Posted by Money Funk on 10/09/09 at 1:31 pm
Well, since you have friends (wanna hook me up) to get you in… you won’t be needing this Volunteer and get a free day at Disney info. lol.
My husband reminds me that we need a bit to live on too. It’s tough though! I just want to pay, pay, pay down that debt. Forget what everyone needs. You can live on ramen and torn jeans. Okay, maybe not that bad. lol.
My sis and I grew up in a family on welfare, too. I don’t remember being poor. I do remember not getting everything I wanted, but that is a normal child thing. If we got everything we’d be Spoiled! I don’t remember not getting those things due to being poor. The other thing I remember…and why I love eatin breakfast…because it was a normal cheap staple meal in our household. Breakfast for breakfast and breakfast for dinner. Anyhow…
I am saying all that because my kids have no idea how lucky they are to have all that they do have! And sometimes I wish they’d appreciate a bit more (ages 9 and 15). I am trying to install the “get it” thing like Stacie’s kids above, but sometimes its tough. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.
Have a wonderful time at Disneyland (we are going in 2 weeks). And definitely do the day with breakfast at home, pack a lunch, pack snacks, a couple bottles of water and wha la! The rest of the day for playin’ at the park. BTW, I heard the Halloween fire works show is definitely worth staying for.
Posted by Andi on 10/09/09 at 8:34 pm
My mom has the same saying about elephants. I thought she was the only crazy one.