I'm Spent - Confessions of One Tired Mom
As the founder of DailyWorth, I have, perhaps, an abnormally obsessive determination to improve my financial standing. To me, that means growing my net worth.
On one front I've made significant progress:
Since resolving my Money Coma drama, I've made a serious shift in my life to build our "curveball account", i.e. savings to cover unexpected items like broken iPhones and split crowns.
This year alone, my husband and I have transferred a whopping $1,200 into that account, and I'm far less worried about money. Credit cards are no longer our back-up plan—our curveball account is. Thank you DailyWorth! (You're welcome.)
But lately I've realized that there's another barrier standing in the way of us taking our saving to the next level:
Our three-year-old son.
While I'm not blaming my child for my money problems, the truth is that my darling son knows how to push my financial buttons.
Here's how a typical conversation goes with my three-year-old:
Him: Mommy, I want a new yellow Power Ranger.
Me: You lost your yellow Power Ranger. Just because you lost it doesn't mean you have the right to buy a new one.
Him: Whyyyyyy?
Me: Because Power Rangers cost money. We don't have money for a new yellow Power Ranger.
Him: But Mommy. You go to work to make money so that we can go to Target and buy Power Rangers.
(Yes, dear readers, the explanation I gave him about why I work is coming back to bite me in the ass.) Now, at this point, all reason is lost:
Him: But I want a yellow Power Ranger. I NEED a yellow Power Ranger!!!!!!!!
Here's my confession. Rather than teach my three-year-old lessons in self-control—lessons in budgeting even—I often buy him things to quiet him, and calm myself.
From gummy candies at the supermarket to Power Rangers, I bet I spend about $30 a week to get him to just STOP THE WHINING. Is indulging him the best way to help him learn patience? No. Is spending a smart way to ease my frustration with him? No, it's a short-cut and not a cost-effective one, and I'm actively seeking a personal transformation.
Do you spend money to quell your anxiety (or prevent tantrums)—money that you could be saving? Leave your comment, insight or thoughts.
