Feeling defeated

Okay, please forgive me for whining more.

When I posted about my busy day, it was a really lame excuse for not posting. Everyone has busy days, everyone has responsibilities, everyone makes choices. I think the real reason that I haven't posted lately is just that I have been feeling so unbelievably defeated, so completely boring and whiney and vulnerable all in one, that I didn't feel like sharing it with the world. I don't mind working hard and being busy if it's making a difference, if it's changing things, but it seems lately like so much of what I'm doing is just completely futile. I'm drowning in laundry, in dishes, in ungraded papers, and no matter how much time I devote to it, it demands more. In everything, my housework, my professional work, my financial life, I just can't seem to get ahead. I can't even seem to stand still.

I have this image of myself as a domestic goddess, baking pies and ironing shirts, of a coupon queen with a stockpile the size of Big Ben, of a teacher of the year, of an internationally recognized advocate and philanthropist. And instead I'm spending my days folding laundry and grading quizzes, or worse NOT folding laundry and grading quizzes and instead just watching TV and whining about the laundry and the TV. I need to do something that matters.

Pink Dish

Let's Dish, a company who sells prepared meals, has started a project called the Pink Dish campaign, where they provide free meals to families affected by Breast Cancer. If you write a note about it on your blog, and email them with the details, they will donate an additional $5 to the campaign in your honor. Please consider taking part. Thanks!

Why I haven't been posting

6:30 AM - Tumble out of bed. Coffee is ready in the pot, thank goodness (and my timer). Make breakfast (toast from my homemade raisin bread) for self and hubby. Get dressed. Gather belongings. Pour rest of cup of coffee into travel mug.

7:00 - Run out front door. Get to car, realize I've forgotten cell phone, run back upstairs.

7:15 - Arrive at work. Dig through piles on desk, looking for Homecoming essays that have to be judged by this afternoon.

7:30 - Begin entering grades.

7:45 - Meet with NHS officers to discuss new service project

7:55 - School begins. Teach.

3:12 - School ends. Discipline 8th graders then sprint outside for parking lot duty until 3:30.

3:30 - Shuffle middle schoolers into the building for after school care, shuffle high schoolers out of the building.

3:40 - Return to classroom. Read college essay for senior who's been waiting patiently. Tidy desk. Enter grades.

3:55 - Shuffle high schoolers out of building. Again.

4:05 - Get in car. Drive home.

4:20 - Arrive home. Turn on Gilmore Girls. Reheat morning's coffee. Start dinner prep. Start laundry.

5:00 - Husband arrives home. Serve dinner.

5:25 - Start washing dishes.

6:00 - - Sit down on couch. Fold laundry (where does it all come from?)

6:30 - Start grading papers.

8:45 - Make husband's lunch for next day. Set up coffee pot and turn on timer.

9:00 - Fall asleep on couch while trying (again) to watch Heroes from DVR.


Something's got to give.

Money Mission for Monday: Start Over

As you may have figured out, I've been busy lately. And while I've been out earning a ton of money, and my balance sheet should be much better than it was, I honestly have no idea how I'm doing financially. And so I'm giving you the same mission I'm giving myself this week: wherever you are, however you're doing, take a few minutes and start over.

Take stock

Figure out how much money you have and how much debt you have. This may mean going through your files and checking several account statements. If you don't know how much money you have, there's no way you can set goals for it.

Also, take a few minutes and go over your check book register, bank statement, and credit card statement to figure out what you spent in the past month. This will give you a good idea of how much you should budget for this month, as well as giving you the chance to start to notice any leaks in your purse.

Make a plan

October starts in two days, which is a great time to start over from a budgeting perspective. Based on what you spent last month, develop a loose budget for next month. Even if you always make a budget, try starting from scratch this month. You may find a different perspective or technique helps you find new ways to cut.

Set at least one goal for what you want to do with your money this month, this year, or this decade. Start working toward it, even if it's just in little steps.


This is a much bigger mission than most, but it's also got a lot of bang for its buck. By starting over, evaluating, and making a plan you'll start to feel more in control of your own money even before you make any changes in your life.

Quick Spotlight

Frequent commenter Abby has her own blog now called I Pick Up Pennies. It is frequently clever and always insightful and offers good looks at a variety of issues pertaining to frugality and saving money. It's well worth a look and I have enjoyed it frequently over the past month, when I've had two moments to sit down. Check it out.