It's Just Not My Day

     Yesterday was not my day. Who hasn't had those days that start out OK but seem to go downhill fast and have a quick fiery death? You know those moments when it feels like every step you take is wrong which in turn puts you in a bad mood that you then spread to your family and those unfortunate enough to be around you. Those Bitch on Wheels days when you seem to hate the world and every person in it (no not really, but you feel like it.)
          I consider myself a pretty positive person. I work hard and try to be considerate of others who cross my path. It is about the energy good or bad. Like a poison, one small negative act can snowball into something that holds us down making us doubt and question ourselves. It’s like rolling a little snowball down a hill of snow, it’s going to keep picking up more and more snow as it goes rolling faster and faster eventually becoming something big which isn’t what we wanted or intended.
     Yes,  yesterday was one of those super negative days for me. They don’t happen often, and as a rule I generally will stay away from people who are super negative. Occasionally life will bite us all right in the ass when we aren’t looking.
     I mention this because we have all felt this way and sure we all get over it or work it out in some form or other. It isn’t in my nature to start a fight, but if you bring it I will finish it. Especially if it pertains to my privacy or something that just isn’t anyone else’s business. What I try to hold onto though when these moments happen are the positives. Negativity, hurtful words, or just plain old meanness can only harm you if you let it. When you give in to anger or hurt you give it power over you. You let the poison of the moment stay with you.

           Why would anyone want that? I know I sure don’t. So next time you’re having one of those days from hell that make you either want to cry or hit someone really hard remember it will pass and then you will be left feeling stupid for the things you may have said or done. Secondly your better than that!Don’t give your power away you control you. So if it means walking away and beating the snot out of your pillow give it a go! 

Buying Smarter Not Harder

Vintage is In

Who hasn't’ gone through the rush from our kids who have to have these sneakers or that jacket because everyone else does. It can be hard as a parent to say no sometimes. Trying to save money is never easy especially when we don’t want to scar our kids for life by making them wear clothing that makes them feel uncomfortable around their friends.

So what do you do? Well one thing I’ve found is checking on eBay. A lot of mom’s have started putting on the clothing their kids grow out of. Jeans sweatpants tops. Sometimes you can get a really great buy when you take the time to look. Its always better  if someone is selling several pieces together then going after the solo item. Lets face it our kids grow like weeds, and the only way to  keep up and not spend a fortune is to be a smarter shopper. Another way is to pick up items after the holidays. You can often find winter clothing marked down drastically after Christmas.

Another option for those picky teens is to introduce them to vintage. Not the vintage that sells off the rack and has been marked up 400% but real vintage. Make it a game and let them take their time. Girls in particular love to find great looking clothes, most of them want to wear it only a couple of times before there trying to stuff it in the goodwill bag.

You can also save by cleaning and putting the clothes your kids grow out of on eBay or craigslist. Its a great way to pay it forward and to make some money to replace the clothes they no longer want. A lot of times your local hospital, will have a thrift store, and they tend to get higher end items through donations. It isn’t always easy as a parent to save money, giving the clothing your kids don't fit into to a family member who may have a son or daughter who will fit into the clothes they grow out of is a good way to keep it in the family and help them save, as well.

I know there are some who might be horrified by this idea but being smart and thrifty at the same time can wind up saving you hundreds to thousands of dollars on clothing. Some of the nicer items I've added to my own wardrobe have come from sales, eBay, or thrift stores. Most second hand stores will inspect the clothing and re clean it prior to putting it out for sale so don't be afraid of koodies..

With a little thought and ingenuity you can save money and keep your family happy. Just remember its always better to be a fashion setter then a slave to fashion. Use your head and reuse clothing, you're not just saving money, but you're also helping the environment.

Simple Economics for The Middle Class

Rarely if ever will I blog about a movie, and it may seem strange that I am going to on a site that is for saving money in a tight economy. Here is the thing, I just finished watching “Inequality for All” from Robert Reich President Clinton's former Secretary of Labor. In order to fix and cope with financial ups and downs it is important to understand the whys, as in why, we are all here struggling to make ends meet?

Who is Robert Reich? He was an intern under Robert Kennedy, worked for President Carter, and then later worked for Bill Clinton as his Secretary of Labor. He has given lectures at Berkley University and came from a middle class background like you and I. This small well educated man has a big voice and a lot to teach us all.

Robert Reich carefully explains with humor and insight how we got into the financial mess we are in today. He explains it in such a way that even my 9 year old could understand it. There are no smoke and mirrors, no fancy displays but a journey of us and how we are where we are. He goes in depth to explain how the gap between the middle class and 1% has grown so disproportionately out of cinque

Why would I suggest watching this? Well, if you have a brain and are smart enough to realize that things are not actually getting better then perhaps you may want to understand the whys? If you're a single mom, dad, struggling family, or prepper you want to watch this. There are some very simple truths that point out and show that if we keep going the way we are going its not going to get better but will in time get worse. If we sit by and do nothing thinking “Hey, not my problem.” sooner or later it will be.

Where can you get “Inequality for All” check your library and take it out? Go on Amazon or google it. It is well worth it to watch, and if you don’t you're missing something that answers some important questions. As I said, I was pleasantly surprised and informed after watching this. I found myself with a better understanding of how this mess we are all in was created and can better understand what needs to happen to create a healthy economy again in this country. As voters in this country,  we all have the responsibility to educate ourselves, so we understand what is happening and what we agree to when we elect an official into office. Part of fixing a problem is using our intelligence to listen and learn so we can address it in a constructive manner.