Kind of funny that I chose to use a George Bailey analogy in my previous post. It's A Wonderful Life is one of my favorite movies - I'm talking top five here - because it shows the struggles the common man encounters. The flick depicts the sheer heartache that struggles and difficulties can bring to a person, and also the massive turnaround that comes through an outpouring of support and love.
I just love this movie, and I guess it's because I am a very Capraesque kind of person (according to Double Platinum). I have a positive outlook on life 95 percent of the time, and that's damn good in my book. To be quite honest, I think DP gets downright annoyed with my Pollyanna disposition.
But every once in a while life gives me a bad hand of cards, and I have a tough time coping with it.
I don't do depression well - it bums me out because it's such a 180 degree experience from the majority of my life.
True confession time: I am horrible with my finances. I don't balance my checkbook and am often faced with the rotten consequence of 34 dollar overdraft fees - like, several (several) a pay period. Granted, it doesn't happen all the time, but it happens frequently enough to make a dent in my account balance.
My financial follies make it very difficult for me to save any money for a rainy day.
Like when I have car trouble. Like, 600 dollar car trouble.
One of the tragic flaws of the hero called Kate the Great: I am hardwired to learn from my experience. I can try to read up on stuff or garner a snippet of knowledge from advice shared by a loved one. But the best way I learn - it's the hard way. The way that makes things uncomfortable and emotional and challenging. That's the best way I can ingrain things in this brain o' mine.
So, it looks like I'm on the brink of 30 and going through some appropriate growing pains.
I'm not too old to learn this important lesson, just a late bloomer. And that's okay with me.
6 comments:
Right there with you kid. I'll be 30 on the 15th and I feel like I have nothing to show for it. I'm still hoping like hell to purchase my first home but with my credit, I'm scared. I filed the big scarlet letter "B" almost two years ago and I've been doing so much better since then. THAT was my big wake up call. Walk into a federal court building with crocodile tears of shame. That will do the trick.
You're not alone chicky mama. There is at least one Cincinnati chick who is going through the same motions you are right now. (30, single, broke, renting, single,..) We should meet up some time. We both need a decent cocktail! :-)
I think my bank actually got richer off my meager bank account because of the exorbitant amounts of overdraft charges I've donated to them in my day. Annnnd we won't even begin to talk about my history with credit cards. All the Shopaholic books give me a good laugh when these situations arise :). Glad to hear you're keeping your chin up.
Did you say you learn everything the hard way? Oh wait, I thought that I was the only one. Hard way doesn't even begin to describe it, does it? It sucks. I think it's our happy go lucky dispositions...everything always goes along just swimmingly until one day POOF it all blows up in your face. Oh honey, I know the feeling. And everytime something goes wrong with my car it's at least $500. And I have to call my parents crying and freaking out because of the $27 dollar balance in my checking account.
One day, these hard learning life lessons will be nothing because think of all we'll have had to overcome in the meantime.
Hang in there. My great hope for my thirties is that I'll make up for all the mistakes of my twenties. And we only have a few days left of this decade, so heres to raising a glass to the next!
The week E was born I was $800 overdrawn on my bank account.
Yes, I typed that correctly - $800.
I'm still horrible with money but that was a wake up call and I haven't been overdrawn since.
I've had just pennies in the account, but I'm learning!
Thank you all so much for your comments! It is reassuring knowing I am not the only one weathering the mess of financial organization.
I guess us dreamer types don't always do well with the dollars and sense of reality.
Balancing a check book SUCKS. I hate being in charge of the finances. Since I have my bills and Jason's, I've been trying to do better by paying things on time...I don't always manage it well. Hang in there. Just know that you are not alone...
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