Learning from the recession

This morning I read an article on Yahoo News about a woman and how she looks at life differently since the recession happened. I hadn't really thought about how my view on life, work, and money may have changed since the economic down fall. In fact my view on many things has changed significantly. It changes you to see families struggle moms and dads barely able to feed their children when a few years ago they were thriving. Highly educated individuals working wherever they have to just to keep food on the table and the lights on. But I think it's brought most of us myself included back to what is truly important. Although my two jobs can weigh on me and I can get very worn out I am incredibly grateful to be working, comfortable, and not worrying about money. My husband and I realize how important family is and no longer hold great value in materialistic things. Instead of racking up debt, paying bills late, and spending like crazy we are fortunate enough to both have good view on spending money. We see paying bills on time as an accomplishment. We both know that if we don't have money to go out we can still have a good time together and with our children. I am proud of us to be honest I think in spite of what our age dictates we are financially responsible. I don't know how I would think had the recession not happened. I just know that I learned from it, I knew I didn't want to be one of those people jobless, broke, and lost. I will work my ass off for as long as I have to having multiple sources of income so I am never without a job. I am glad that I learned from the recession I am glad I am not still oblivious and spending only to later become a burden to my peers. I promise you this I will continue to be financially responsible so you don' t have to pay for my debts. But can you make me the same promise? I hope so.

the kids

After trying for a full year to get pregnant we finally welcomed our little girl into the world last April 18th. Luckily our son now 3 is in love with his new baby sister and life is as it should be. Being a mother of two and being 23 is terribly difficult. I am still trying to figure out my calling in life but in the mean time Chad and I both have good jobs and are financially stable and fairly comfortable. It's nice to not have to worry if something pops up unexpectedly. I know most parents our age aren't doing as well as we are so I am proud of us. I constantly worry about how we are doing as parents and as people in general because of our age, but have come to the conclusion that my age does not define me. My children aren't doomed and I am not stuck in poverty because I had children young and haven't quite figured out my career path. All that matters is that I do the best I can raising my children and teaching them and providing a good life for them. People expect me to be terribly screwed up and a bad parent because of how I look and my age but all I can say to them is what you see is not what you get.