How Games Immitate Life!

Santa brought to one of my children a Monopoly game...actually it's called Horse-opoly, but same basic concept. She loves horses and I know Santa thought she'd just love it: and she does.

These last days of Christmas break have included some intense Horse-opoly games in our home, with laughs, and yes a few tears as well. It's difficult to learn life lessons about real estate, negotiations, mortgages, bales of straw, barns and the like at the tender ages of nine and seven.

I admit they've done well, trying to make smart financial decisions in light of looming debt and/or a real estate crisis...sound familiar?

Wow, games can certainly imitate life at times, as we all watch in anticipation for our economy to rebound. As a stay at home mom, it's hard at times to understand all the economic pressure some are under, especially if the hubbie is still working, which gratefully we still enjoy the luxury of a job for HH.

Yet, there is still the struggle to make ends meet. There are ways that we CAN cut back, can sacrifice more, as property tax still goes up each year, as our grocery bills mount ever higher to feed this little army we've created....and of course as the next child becomes ready to enter schooling. Expenses...expenses.....

As even tonight, I reminded my own children during their game, "Spend wisely".....I thought I'd better take my own advice a little stricter, so that we might be a little more prepared for those little emergencies life throws at us from time to time.

Here's a little list, that we've begun just recently and I am hoping to perfect as the new year begins....Perhaps we are ALL looking for ways to cut back, but not give up too much of our lifestyle...Hope some of these help you too!

1.) No more pop. We stopped buying pop quite a few months back now, in an effort to slim down a few pounds....it took about three weeks for the Pepsi cravings to stop, but it was worth it, I lost a bit of weight! If I need a little pick me up caffeine in the afternoon - I now resort to Ice Tea, Lipton homemade. Lots cheaper and a lot less sugar.

2.) Cut eating out to only special occasions. Force grocery shopping instead, and choose healthier and cheaper alternatives to even stopping at the McDonalds. This is a hard one, as I still lament the daily dinner chore!

3.) Got stuff you know you'll never use? Sell a few things on ebay or craigslist. I started a project about a year ago, in an effort to clean out the basement. I have raised $300 so far...still trying to finish the basement.

4.) Try to make two meals a week that are simple and extremely cheap. (ie, noodles in chicken broth and a loaf of french bread. Offer it up and you're fasting for an intention as well! Not to mention this great opportunity to teach children about the faith).

5.) Stop buying Hallmark cards for loved ones' birthdays. They are expensive! Include the kids, and make homemade cards with everyone's signature.

6.) Only buy what is absolutely necessary when it comes to clothes, shoes, coats and accessories....for the whole family. Look into resale shops for the necessary items you need....otherwise, skip it all together, you don't need it THAT bad. I say, "Never pay full price for anything." Someone is always trying to selling it cheaper than the other guy.

7.) Clip those coupons. Take your lazy Sunday afternoon with the Sunday paper, and clip those coupons, but for only the items that you need. Don't waste your time or energy clipping all of them, you will never will buy all of those products, nor will you be guilted into buy it simply because could get a measly 25 cents off.

8.) Cut back on the dry-cleaning bill. Go back to the trusty old fashion ironing board and elbow grease. Take only what is absolutely necessary to the cleaners, and let's admit it, there isn't much that is absolutely necessary.

9.) Never take your car to get professional cleaned out. Take out your own vacuum and make it a family affair, involving the kids to sort garbage, toys, books and bring the Windex for the windows.

10.) Lastly, lower your thermostat just a couple degrees, it does make a difference in your next gas bill.

Well, that's it, so far. For now and for us, I am going to take my own advice, I am going to 'spend wisely'. Perhaps even the next time I play Horse-opoly, I'll have learned a thing or two, and just maybe I'll win that blasted game, for once.