I guess in some regards a lot is going on around here.

I just signed up BM for swimming lessons. I blogged earlier how I really hope he becomes rather proficient in the water this year. Sometimes our pool (with HOA) offers private swim lessons at relatively decent prices (plus can't beat the convenience - we live close enough to walk over). But I haven't heard much about this year. Everything else I am aware of seems insanely expensive except community center - which seems more geared to older kid in big group classes. But BM is getting there - he will be 5 soon and is getting much more comfortable in the water - so I think it's time. I signed up for pm classes in July. Would have done the first session in June but it coincided with our camping trip. $44 for 6 sessions (40 minutes each). I don't think that is so bad. The alternative seems to be a million dollars. Something more middle of the road would be fine. BUT mostly I plan to sign him up and watch closely, and practice practice practice at home. Thankfully, dh agreed to work with him on the days LM is at preschool, after BM quits preschool. I don't enjoy taking the kids to the pool much because neither can swim. Dh usually has no desire to join us at the pool. But I think we need his help. At least until BM gets a little more self sufficient.

I took dh's car to work the other day and realized when I got to work it was pretty darn low on gas. Dh always gets gas for me, to help me out, so I figured I could return the favor. I pushed it all the way home and stopped by the gas station. IT took a while to get a spot because the place was jam packed. (6pm?). Then the scanner for the coupons was not working. I Was not filling up the tank without my 10-25 cents off.

I put in about 3 gallons to get through the week and tried to work my way out of the insane grocery store parking lot with my life. I just don't remember the last time I went over there in the evenings like that. Never again. I felt bad I couldn't even fill up the tank. Though admittedly I Was worried at first I would not be able to at all (with the lines. I had no reason to wait in line all day; it could wait).

Anyway, so that is the plus to working Saturdays. I usually don't see a soul when I fill up my tank on the way to work Saturday. It was a good system. I think I am back to letting dh fill up my car during the day.

In other news, I think my stars are out of alignment. I am excited about my impending vacation, and catching up at work. But this is all offset by some MAJOR drama. We are going to spend the weekend with our parents and as usual, some drama is brewing with MIL.Nothing with her can ever be simple. I told dh yesterday, "Come on. Do I get into drama with ANYONE else? Tell me who is the drama queen here." He *gets* to a major degree the flaws of his mother, and he is usually great with siding with me. But sometimes there is just no reasoning. We came out with a compromise, after a big fight, and so far so good. But I am sure much more drama will ensue before weekend is over. Mostly, as usual, the world will end because I don't want to spend 24/7 with my MIL. I personally have other family and friends in the area who I rarely get to see. She has no concept of why I might want to see them without her. Or on top of that, why I may need a break from her on our long weekend there. I am only spending 24 hours with her or something... When all is said and done I may get 2-4 hours with my parents, and dh will be off with his mom to diffuse the situation, much of Saturday. Not exactly what I Wanted, to spend the day apart from him. But at least it keeps the peace.

MEanwhile, I got kind of a nasty e-mail at work from a co-worker today. So I figure the stars are aligned against me. It was just kind of left field about how I didn't want to do anything to benefit the company (outside of my clients) how this was such a shame.

Huh?

Oh boy. That is another story for another day. I hesitate to say too much about either situation lest someone I don't want to comes along this blog. But for now I am in the land of "You just can't Win!" In this case I am mostly hurt because I don't think my boss has ever had one complaint about me. So for someone else to criticize me so out of left field with no warning is very hurtful. IT just leaves me a little confused, though in my gut I think it is just that person.

I actually discussed the situation at length with my dh and my mother, and I did start to remember how in the middle of tax season after I Was out sick almost 2 full weeks how I Was asked to do something while I Was sick, and someone else ended up doing it. I had completely forgotten, and at least puts a little more context to the situation. Though it makes the whole thing that much more insane. Sorry I was sick and a little busy??? When just yesterday I Told said person I was really caught up and had much of the summer to work on some of this crap work and administrative stuff. So, much is apparently lost in the translation.

IT's also extra frustrating since I have been fighting to keep my head above water these last 18 months or so because we have lost so much staff. I have my priorities and they are my clients. Without them, I don't have a job. This stuff takes backseat during busy season. Though of course anything of great importance would get done. My boss knows that too. I guess that is what is important!

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The only other thing I Wanted to write was it seems in the forums the question is asked a lot, "Why be frugal?"

At the same time, in referring to the idiots I see in real life who live paycheck to paycheck with really no excuse (I mean people with really decent incomes who are just terrible with their money. Which seems to be the norm out here, particularly with this whole home equity mess). In referring to them I guess maybe I have offended some of you who are really struggling.

Likewise, I know it is in times like this that dh and I will get pegged for "having it easy." We have everything easy because we aren't feeling the squeeze.

Ah, if only it were so simple.

I have come to the conclusion over the years, and hanging out around here, that good fiscal health comes primarily due to preparation. OF course there are always stumbling blocks we come across, and some that may even be insurmountable. OF course. I am humbled greatly by how quickly everything we have built up can be taken away tomorrow. IT doesn't take much to be pushed back to the starting line.

But dh and I take great care and planning in our fiscal house, primarily at the hopes of avoiding any such disasters. That's the best we can do.

I think times like this, our planning shines through. Sadly, then, much of it is written off to luck.

Some of the things we do?

For one, of all my varied interests I picked the career that was both the most recession proof and high paying. I think the recession proof part was more important, honestly. As many well paying jobs are high paying in regard to the risk involved.

We also chose to move to an area where it was considerably cheaper to live. I did not love this idea at all when we moved. For us though it was a matter of survival, and quality of life. For now I am very grateful we had the opportunity and happy we made the move. Six years ago I Was mostly bitter about the whole thing.

Obviously these are the larger things we have done, as well as insuring out the ying yang.

As far as the smaller things. We have always tried to save our raises on same level. We always try to think to the future in our budget. Our grocery bill may be "x" but what will it be with rising grocery prices and growing children who will no doubt eat much more in their teenage years. We try to plan plan plan to cover those costs which are unknown.

On the flip side we really faced a large economic storm ourselves in the last several years. We went down to one income, and my health insurance premiums went up 800%. It hasn't exactly been a rosy road. My wages have gone up considerably the last few years, but they are only just now catching up to our expenses with kids and private health insurance, etc.

I think for us this makes an interesting juxtaposition. The masses are freaking out, and our own budget is looking pretty good. Of course, we have much more planning in store to keep it that way. In our 20s we were building wealth and making strides. Today we seem to be well insured, we have a home, and we have most of our bases pretty covered. We are pretty happy with our lifestyle. For now all we can hope is our pay rises with inflation. & if it raises more we have little plan but to save save save with the "more." That is generally how we have always been. With the huge exception of this giant economic sidetrack called "raising kids."

Plus we have a potential second income and shrinking daycare liabilities. So for us, life is good. I can't say about tomorrow, 1000% sure. But I know today is good and we are about as prepared as we can be for tomorrow. I think that is the best anyone can hope for.

& I guess I Wanted to say that if I hope anyone gets anything from my blog, it would be some tidbits on how to weather an economic storm, and to be better prepared for the next one. Likewise, in times like these, and in a position like ours, I see litle need to question our frugal choices. They obviously make life much simpler. It hasn't always been easy, but the end result has been rather nice.

On the flip side, fiscal health is always a work in progress. & did I Say I wasn't feeling any squeeze? Eh, that would be a lie. I feel plenty of squeeze. I just feel less squeeze than I did last year and the year before. Sometimes it is just a matter of perspective. Even with the economy as it is, things are looking up for us compared to recent years. So here's to that, however long it may last. Maybe we are just zigging while everyone else is zagging.