December is a great month to start

My backstory.

“I’m bad with money.”

This has been constant head trash throughout my life.

It comes from having parents who divorced when I was seven, and I felt the crunch in both households.

When money was tight, my easy solution to my mom was, “Just write a check, Mom.”

When I was seven years old, I had no idea you needed money in the bank to write a check.

(If you don’t know what a check is, ask your parents or grandparents. They can give you a crash course.)

To be fair, my parents never talked money around me. They never made me feel like I was lacking in anything. My basic needs were always met.

And yet, there was a part of me that somehow knew. It was a struggle for a 26-year-old newly divorced mom. She was holding down a full-time job, paying the mortgage, and receiving sporadic child support payments from my dad.

To be fair, I was unaware that child support payments were sporadic. However, my dad consistently showed up for me in other ways.

Even though I thought a check could be written no matter what, somehow I subconsciously knew that money was tight.

Reflection: Where do your thoughts about money come from?

A Tale of Two Parents.

My mom has always been great with money. Because she had to be frugal, she knew where her money was going at all times. Even now at age 77, she still balances her checkbook down to the penny.

On the other hand, my dad has always been the spender. If there was a dollar in his pocket, he was buying something with it. Alternatively, he was giving it to someone who might be in more need.

He’s gotten better through the years, but I attribute it to my step-mom also being good with money.

Reflection: How have your thoughts about money been shaped throughout your life?

Where I land.

I would love to say I picked up the budgeting and money habits of my mom.

Alas, I did not.

I’m definitely the spender.

Not the get into all kinds of debt spender, but I will spend down to the last penny. There’s no money leftover at the end of each month.

I help my adult kids when they need it. I love spending money on my grandkids for experiences. I will donate whatever I have available whenever I can.

Do I save? Yes.

But do I spend? Yes.

Reflection: How would you describe your current money habits?

Where does that leave me? How about you?

As I reflect, I’m not completely bad at money, but I’ve always perceived myself that way.

How about you? Where do you land when it comes to money?

• Are you budget conscious?
• Do you spend, spend, spend?
• How do you perceive yourself when it comes to money?
• Do you fall into comparison traps when it comes to money?

December is a good month to focus on our relationship with money without it consuming us.

I hope you’ll come along for the journey and share your experiences with me.

Comment or send me an email at gettoit11@gmail.com.

Until next time, cheers!