Living With a Lack of Money
Money, money, money (“For the Love of Money” by the O’Jays) is the intro song for the TV show “The Apprentice”, and that’s what this blog is about. Actually, this blog is about living with the lack of money.
Something that bothers me terribly about money is how controlling it is in your life. When you’re living a “lack” lifestyle, its presence is like a cloud hanging over your head. Recently, I went through some income changes, with my monthly revenue decreasing significantly. I had a job that provided me with a great salary, and then I was laid off. The good thing about being laid off right now is that a lot of other people are being furloughed too. So, you’re not uncool by living without a job.
Now, I am entering a stage when I need to refinance or modify my mortgage. I need to utilize the hardship programs that are offered through the government and through the financial services industry. This was a hard step for me, as I didn’t want to ask for help. I didn’t want to admit that I needed help; I felt embarrassed and ashamed. Over and over again, I kept thinking about what I could have done differently to avoid getting into this situation, and the reality is I could have asked for help a lot earlier.
I am from a family of “too proud to ask for help.” Which, ironically, has caused me a lot of pain and suffering. I am humbled by being in this situation and grateful for the support that is available to me. Yes, my ego has been bruised, but I see more light coming through the clouds and am sleeping better at night.
Now that I have walked in these shoes, I have been enlightened to situations that can arise for people and I now can see why these programs exist. It’s very easy to judge when you’re sitting on the sidelines. A friend of mine, who is a banker, once told me that most of his clients drive the best cars (Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, etc.) and live in large homes, but if they lost one paycheck, they would not be able to keep up their lifestyle. Something to think about as we live with prices that keep going up alongside financial uncertainty.
About the Author
Peggy Paul, Founder of SheTaxi, originally published this blog in 2011 on SheTaxi.com.
