Just a handful of years ago, I was working a job. A residency, that provided well for me. Regardless of the relationship I was in, I could easily support myself. I had a home, that was paid for. A car that was paid for. My needs met. Bills paid. And money in my savings account. I was also only in my mid twenties.
That would all change. When my Dad got sick, I dropped everything! And I mean everything. A relationship, my job, friends, my home, my future. And I came home. To my hometown. Where I could continue to work. Albeit, part time. But I was working.
The sicker my Dad got, the less work I was doing. I went from 110+ hours a week. To barely 20 hours a week...in just a matter of months. Along with less work, there was more need for money. My Dad's medical costs kept rising. The costs of maintaining his business, were extremely large!
You see, it was my older brother, trying to cripple the business. The rest of us, trying to survive the crisis. More money was going out, than coming in. So I picked up the pieces. And before I knew it, that almost 6 figure savings, was quickly shrinking.
Then, there was the cost of the medical bills. My Dad had amazing insurance! Which helped with so much. But to be sick. To be chronically ill, and fighting for your life. It costs. And it costs big bucks. For the first 3 months of last year, his hospital bill alone, hit 2 million dollars. We were responsible for a small portion of that. But still, that small portion, was a great amount. That doesn't include doctors, prescriptions, specialists, Home Care, and so much supplies!
In my Dad's final weeks of life, his medication costs were through the roof! Let me tell you, we ran right through my parents' savings. And mine! When you are making trips to Walgreen's, two and three times a week. At $400 a time, it adds up. And quickly!
I am the youngest in my family. Nine kids in total. I'm the ONLY one, that helped out. For 6 years. Lots of costs. Lots of craziness. Lots of help! In all ways. But definitely financially. And when my Dad past away, I was the only one, that had money. Do you know what final costs are like?
Well, those commercials on TV, they lie! And the insurance companies, move like turtles. And it was me. Standing there, trying to figure it all out. My Mom was too heartbroken. My siblings were busy stealing from us. Friends were trying to help. Now my Dad had some amazing friends. One, being the owners of the mortuary that we used. He wanted it that way.
At the end of the day, they covered many of the costs for us. Gave us some great deals. And helped us, as much as possible. But after all the mortuary costs, cemetery costs, musicians, clothes for my Dad, my Mom, and I...I nearly spent $80,000. In 3 days!!! Not counting food. Because that was covered by so many friends, extended family, and local businesses. Also, the Church costs, were covered, by our AMAZING priest!
Now, if you asked me again, I'd clear out all my accounts again. In a heartbeat! In fact, the money I used, was money I had saved, since I was a child. My Dad ALWAYS insisted on saving money. For a rainy day. Or in my case, he told me for college...
Although, when I went to college, I didn't use it. I didn't have access to it. At first. Then my Dad convinced me, to leave it there. "You never know, when you will need it." Wise words, from a very wise man. All my money from birthdays, First Communions, Confirmation, graduation, and anything else you can think of. It was put away in CDs. And it remained there, until last March.
My final blow, was wrapping up things for the business. And buying a headstone. In the end, I was left, with $5,000.00. And many households to run. No job. Well, sort of. And a mess of headaches. I think about this a lot! A LOT!!!
And it sort of stresses me out. We are still waiting for insurance money. And well, my Mom and I aren't big spenders. We can survive off of nearly nothing. Because we just aren't that high maintenance. I'll chalk that up, to my Mom growing up poor. And me, struggling my way, through college. But we have 3 properties to maintain. My parents' home, the property it sits on, and the home that was their office. My home. And my parents' mountain home and property.
That's 4 of everything! 4 gas bills, 4 light bills, 4 water bills, 4 insurance bills, 4 property tax bills. Do you see my point? It's crazy! And my Mom...well she never handled the bills. So there is me. Trying to extend money. As the two of us, are trying to navigate through our, "new normal."
My Mom and I took the summer off. Completely. Almost 100%. I had to work a little. I have to see a certain amount of patients, to keep my credentials. And well, we also needed some money. You know, to live on. So I worked. Bare minimum. Later, my Mom finally broke. And decided she needed to get out of the house. And went back to work. Part time.
Little 'ol me? I decided I NEEDED to work. And went back. Not quite full time. More than part time. Somewhere to keep us going. But I'm back at square one. I mean we are doing well. I pay the bills. My Mom and I split the cost of gas, groceries, going on little adventures. That sort of deal. But I know what I need to do next. I NEED TO SAVE!!!
I came across this in December. And thought, you know, I need to start doing this. I'm fighting a losing battle, without a plan. Get it in gear! I picked up 2 large Mason Jars, and printed this page. January 1st started a new journey for me.
I'm up to $10 in each jar. Why 2 jars? One directly for savings. One for a little fun. My Mom and I, really need to go out and do something fun. At some point. So now, I have these 2 jars. It's something small. Something to get back, into the grove of saving.
And honestly, it makes things doable. Because who can't afford a few dollars a week? I mean, by the end of the year, it's going to be $52. For a week. So maybe December is a little tougher. But really, I can still afford a couple of hundred dollars.
A few years ago, I did a $5 savings challenge. Literally, every single $5 bill I got, went to savings. It was tough when I'd get $50 worth of $5 bills as change. But it really did change things for me. And in no time, I had a nice little stash.
Will I accumulate the amount of money, I once had? Not by this 52 Week Savings Plan. But it is a start. I didn't save that other money, in a short amount of time. It took years. Struggle. And sacrifice. I'll get back to it. One day. But I'll get there. And by January 1, 2017...$2,756. Not bad!
So if are interested, get started. Honestly, we're only at the $10 mark. Don't go out to eat one day. Or put the cookies and soda back on the shelf. Walk away from the new shirt. And let's get started. I'd LOVE to hear your stories. Or what you plan on doing with your money. I really do think, this is a nice way, to get the year started! ❤
No comments:
Post a Comment