Hopeful

Times are tough. I was reading a blog this morning about frugal living and the author cited another blog with a "Save $1000 in a Month" challenge. This is simply not possible for us. I'm so tired of all the Money Saving Tips!!! out there that assume I go to Starbucks everyday and I have my heater cranked up to 75 and I eat lunches at restaurants.

Here's the reality: I'm going to Starbucks today only because I'll get a free coffee after voting. I rent and therefore don't pay for my heat (although it is still not turned on). And I can't remember the last time I went out to lunch. Hell, the last time we went out to dinner, we paid with change!

More reality: The only time my girls are in new clothes is when they get them as gifts. I wear the same two pairs of shoes all year. We shop at the sketchy grocery store because it's the cheapest option around.

All of this is by choice. It was our choice that I would leave the workforce and stay home with the girls. But it still frustrates me that we are using up our modest savings just to get by.

Sure, we've gone to the occasional Red Sox game. And yes, we did go to a concert recently. Things are not as tight as they could be.

I'm trying to be grateful, I know that so many people are struggling with much worse. I was reading a book recently that included a fictionalized account of a homeless family. They were starving and living in their car. When my little girl came into the room I was reading in, I just broke down.

We don't have to worry about keeping a roof over our children's heads. We never worry about where the next meal is coming from or how to stay warm overnight in the winter.

We are so, so lucky.

Now I'm trying to figure out if there's anything I can do to help people who are truly struggling. This is where I'm starting. I'm trying to remember the positive, trying to go against my natural tendency to be a whiny, cranky, pessimist and be thankful.

And, today especially, I'm feeling pretty hopeful.
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