My father-in-law was a sage old coot – an ex-military man with a brash demeanor and a heart of gold. I miss him dearly. He passed away almost 9 years ago, but he left us a legacy of common sense and wisdom that still echoes in my mind today.
One thing he always told us – “Always be able to pay all of your bills with one paycheck. If you have more bills than that, you’re already in trouble.” He told us this before we bought our first home. Because we had foolishly based our income on my husband’s overtime, when the OT was cut, we almost lost the house and wound up selling it to save our hides. That was in 1995. It was a painful learning experience – one we have never forgotten.
The economy is bad – there is no sugar coating it. Even people who have a low mortgage (or no mortgage) are still dealing with the high cost of gasoline and groceries. Utilities are supposed to go up even higher this winter. At the core of all of this national chaos, the scripture that keeps coming to mind is “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows..” (1 Timothy 6:10)
We as a nation have lived beyond our means for far too long. I don’t just blame the banks, and I don’t just blame the people – it was “where two fools met” (as my FIL would say). Banks have loaned credit to families knowing the cost was beyond what they would be able to pay, and families have purchased cars, houses, boats, etc. knowing it was more than they could feasibly afford. The result is a burden we will all have to bear – the economy as a whole on a downhill rollercoaster with no breaks.
There is no shame in downsizing to a more realistic and affordable home. There is no shame in selling what we don’t need in order to survive. What is shameful is not calling the root of the economic mess what it really is – greed. Pure and simple. When exiting CEOs of some of these failing companies take an $8 million dollar severance package, I don’t think we’ve learned very much – do you?
It breaks my heart that it has come to this. Take some time to make sure your financial, physical, and spiritual house is in order. Pray for guidance, and think about what it takes for you and your family to survive – not what you’d like to have, but what basic needs you have to take care of for yourself and family. All of us need food, water, clothing, and shelter. All the other “stuff” we’ve crowded our lives with is optional.
Arkansas Soaper 