While at my mother's house on Sunday evening, my mom got a call from my aunt. We immediately knew from the Oh Sh**T that it wasn't good news and thought immediately it was my uncle. However it was my 28 year old cousin who was in the hospital and thought he had a stroke.
That knocked the stuffing out of me. My cousin is also the primary breadwinner for his beautiful family, a wife and 2 young daughter 4 and 1 years old. They also bought a home 2 years ago. He was doing well at his job and just got a promotion.
Some of my worst money financial fears include loosing my husband or him loosing the ability to work.
All Young families should have the following check list:
1) Disability insurance usually this is a job benefit take advantage of it
2) Life insurance while you work does offer it, get a separate term life policy
3) Emergency fund While my cousin may have disability insurance times like this is when you do not need the extra stress of paying bills .
4) Medical Insurance You never know when an accident or a medical emergency will hit.
Joining in with Mom for the Weekend Rewind Blog Hop Linky thingy... do join in!
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Reflections on my Dad
Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there! I hope you are spoiled rotten today!
My Dad is amazing. I don't often tell him that, but he is. Two years ago he was in a serious accident, I didn't share it on my blog. He fell off a ladder and hit his head on concrete. We almost lost him and we are very lucky that he wasn't working alone that day. Luckily, we didn't lose him that day and his recovery was long journey. However for the simple outspoken remarks that he makes, he is pretty much back to normal. No more ladders for him.
My Dad is one of those that heard of the "American Dream" as a young boy growing up in Ireland in the 1950 and 60. He came out in 1964 with a few pennies to his name after working in England for a few years. He stayed with his Uncle and Aunt who had moved over here in the late 1930 early 1940. My father is a carpenter. That embarrassed me as a kid for reasons unknown.
My father worked hard, often 6 days a week as construction carpenter and doing his own work on the weekends. I remember going over to investment property cleaning out yards and doing the weeding. I used to tell my father that this was "slave labor" but my father would say work hard and you will never having to worry about putting food in your mouth.
As I have previously shared my mom was primarily a stay at home mom, my father wanted her to stay home. She took care of the finances as my father to this day has doesn't write check or handle the day to day money. He simply handed over his pay to her. They will be married 40 years next year. They were able to raise 3 kids with values and a good money sense. While we didn't hear about money a lot, I knew my parents were well off. We did the trip back to Ireland every 2-3 years to visit his family, my parents were able to build a vacation home, and send 3 children to college.
My father is also the type slip me a $20 to buy something for the kids. He still works the occasional job and has done a lot of work for us over the years on our house. We has worked with my husband putting a new roof on, new siding, windows, and many other smaller jobs. He has taught my husband a lot of home repairs and has saved us thousands in labor cost. He won't accept a dime, but occasional lunch out at his favorite sub shop makes his day.
I love you Dad
My Dad is amazing. I don't often tell him that, but he is. Two years ago he was in a serious accident, I didn't share it on my blog. He fell off a ladder and hit his head on concrete. We almost lost him and we are very lucky that he wasn't working alone that day. Luckily, we didn't lose him that day and his recovery was long journey. However for the simple outspoken remarks that he makes, he is pretty much back to normal. No more ladders for him.
My Dad is one of those that heard of the "American Dream" as a young boy growing up in Ireland in the 1950 and 60. He came out in 1964 with a few pennies to his name after working in England for a few years. He stayed with his Uncle and Aunt who had moved over here in the late 1930 early 1940. My father is a carpenter. That embarrassed me as a kid for reasons unknown.
My father worked hard, often 6 days a week as construction carpenter and doing his own work on the weekends. I remember going over to investment property cleaning out yards and doing the weeding. I used to tell my father that this was "slave labor" but my father would say work hard and you will never having to worry about putting food in your mouth.
As I have previously shared my mom was primarily a stay at home mom, my father wanted her to stay home. She took care of the finances as my father to this day has doesn't write check or handle the day to day money. He simply handed over his pay to her. They will be married 40 years next year. They were able to raise 3 kids with values and a good money sense. While we didn't hear about money a lot, I knew my parents were well off. We did the trip back to Ireland every 2-3 years to visit his family, my parents were able to build a vacation home, and send 3 children to college.
My father is also the type slip me a $20 to buy something for the kids. He still works the occasional job and has done a lot of work for us over the years on our house. We has worked with my husband putting a new roof on, new siding, windows, and many other smaller jobs. He has taught my husband a lot of home repairs and has saved us thousands in labor cost. He won't accept a dime, but occasional lunch out at his favorite sub shop makes his day.
I love you Dad
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Money habits and my mom
I was reflecting on my mom and money this morning because of Mother's Day I written a post almost 2 years ago as I sat in their vacation home. Did I learn my money habits from my mom
Two years later my mom is still rarely using an ATM and forget about online banking or online shopping. The more I think about it, cash was king in their household is and still is. Their dream car was a black cadillac (I think more my Dad's, but my mom drives it every day) they paid cash for it.
Mom has been at a job for the last 18 years (the one she got when I started college) and her division is closing. She found out that her last day will be in June. Is she scared? At 60 years old, she really doesn't want to retire nor will she. She said she is going to enjoy the summer and then find a part time job in the fall. Luckily, my mother has been planning for the rainey day since she got married.
Happy Mother's Day Mom! And to all the mom's out there.
I honestly do not know if I got my money habits from my mom. My mom looks at me crazy when I talk about online banking. She just started using an ATM this year-she always paid cash for everything. Paying cash and not pulling out a credit card is one thing I do remember. That is one thing I get from her
Two years later my mom is still rarely using an ATM and forget about online banking or online shopping. The more I think about it, cash was king in their household is and still is. Their dream car was a black cadillac (I think more my Dad's, but my mom drives it every day) they paid cash for it.
Mom has been at a job for the last 18 years (the one she got when I started college) and her division is closing. She found out that her last day will be in June. Is she scared? At 60 years old, she really doesn't want to retire nor will she. She said she is going to enjoy the summer and then find a part time job in the fall. Luckily, my mother has been planning for the rainey day since she got married.
Happy Mother's Day Mom! And to all the mom's out there.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Romance on a Budget Love is Patient Kind and Cheap!
How to have a frugal Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is around the corner and men from Alaska to Florida are breaking into a cold sweat. They've bought into the fallacy that romance equals money. Men everywhere have been frightened off by television and movies and believe that romance is something outside of their budget. They are wrong.
When I think of the most romantic and breathtaking stories that my friends and I discuss over coffee, we don't talk about flying off to Europe or drinking the most expensive champagne. The little things like holding hands, reading stories together, and lots of laughter are what we hold dear.
I've put together a list of ways to show love -- without running up your credit card
bill. And, ladies, this list is for you, too. Initiate the following ideas with your
Sweetie, and show him how much you care. The ideas below are for men or women and fit
every budget.
Love Notes - Leave Love Notes for your Sweetheart to find.
Pampering - Brush her hair. Scratch his back.
Wildlife - Feed the ducks, squirrels, birds, turtles or fish near you.
Games - Turn off the TV. Sit and play cards or board games together.
Cooking - Find recipes to make with your sweetheart.
Candles - Candles should be used every day -- for meals, bath time, snuggling.
Read together - Choose a book and take turns reading it to each other.
Photos - When is the last time you had a photo taken together? What are you waiting for?
Work Date - Surprise your love with a lunch date.
Stroll - Leave the TV, phone and computer behind and go on a walk together.
Spell it Out - With Sidewalk Chalk, write your names in a heart on the sidewalk where
your sweetheart is sure to see it.
Entertainment - Go see a High School or College play or concert. It is affordable and
fun!
Slow Dance - Turn on the radio and dance to the songs you fell in love listening to.
Star Gaze - Drive out to the country and look at the stars.
Volunteer - Choose a charity or cause that means something to both of you and work
together to make the world a better place.
Love Story - Write how you met, fell in love, how you felt, what your thoughts were. You
will treasure looking through these books over the years.
Love Grows - Plant a garden together. Herbs, vegetables, flowers, fruit -- anything you
both like.
Cheer - Go to a High School Sporting Event.
Warm Hearts - Snuggle by a campfire or build a fire in the fireplace.
Watch the Clouds - Lay together and watch the clouds go by. Talk about the different
shapes you see.
Connect - Hug, Hold Hands, Put your Arm around your Sweetheart.
Big Money - Write your Sweetheart a Check for One Million Kisses. Or make a coupon book
of treats for him or her.
Window Shop - Go downtown and window shop.
Early Days - Look at photo albums of yourselves when you were kids through your dating
years.
Puzzles - Do a jigsaw or crossword puzzle together.
Wish List - Both make a wish list of things that make you happy and put them in order.
Hugs, dates, gifts, time together, intimacy, etc. Then look at the lists. They may
surprise you.
People Watch - Sit on a bench and watch people go by. Try to guess their stories.
Play - Go to the park and swing.
Kiss - Before you part for the day, kiss for 10 seconds. It is much better than a quick
peck on the cheek.
Picnic - Get take out food or make a picnic lunch. Take your time and enjoy your meal
together outdoors.
Throw Rocks - Go to a pond, creek, or lake and throw rocks. Try to skip them or aim for
different targets.
So, although an occasional expensive dinner is appreciated, it is truly the day-to-day
affection that builds romance and love. Yes, Love is Patient, Kind -- and Cheap!
About the Author: Nicole Dean is the owner of www.showMomtheMoney.com -- a fun and exciting site for Moms and Work from Home Moms. http://www.showmomthemoney.com She lives in Florida with her much loved Husband of almost 10 years, and their two silly children.
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