Drew and I have a house payment, and we have had car payments although we currently don't.
And that is all.
We've never had student loans, but as we stare into this summer's tuition bill and a bank account that has already had tuition eat it out of house and home we're wondering what to do.
And here's my problem.
I guess the "best" in this scenario would be to save EVERY. PENNY to go towards that tuition in hopes that we can pay the bill off in full instead of going into debt for it. Problem is, I really wanted new bath rugs. So I spent 50 bucks on rugs and towels. They have brought me extreme joy, our other ones were at least six years old and dying a sad death each time I washed them. The Mormon pioneer in me says "make it do or do without", but the woman who is trying to live this life said Costco had a coupon on great bath rugs so I bought them.
And now that 50 dollars is in my bathrooms instead of in savings, waiting to be eaten by the tuition monster.
I have come up with backup plans. We can obviously do student loans, or we have a home equity line on our house. It's not as if us not having the money will prevent him from going to school.
I am also aware that his salary will rise once he gets his masters. That will be a happy day, but it's not going to rise THAT much. Will it rise enough to pay off his tuition? Yes, in about 3 years we could pay of his summer tuition bills, with just his increase in pay.
My heart really wanted to go to Disneyland. Well, my heart ALWAYS wants to go to Disneyland but hello. The tuition monster doesn't like Disneyland. I think my heart has finally realized that Princess P will still like princesses in a couple of years, and it would be a GREAT thing to do once Drew is done. To really celebrate it.
So, the best is to pay it in full and live like destitutes.
And the good is to try to save what we can without feeling like destitutes. Maybe go camping instead of to Disneyland. And I have come to terms with that's what we'll do.
And the obvious extension for this, is that my good isn't necessarily YOUR good. I actually prayed for Heavenly Father to tell me if Disneyland was really a big deal for us, or if it could hold off. And slowly, I've come to terms with the fact it can be held off.
Anyway, how do you balance the good and the best in your money life?
2 comments:
We live the same way and its always a balance I'm trying to strike...it gets old LOL
The best is often imagined. Like your previous post on your Mr. Sometimes the thing we think would be the best is just another thing that looks cooler or looked like everyone else did it so easily. Some things we have laid out for us in black and white. Some are grey for a reason. Don't do drugs - black and white. Don't murder - black and white. Don't go into debt - grey, very specifically. Some things are "investments" rather than debt. School, family cars, homes, etc. If you had to borrow to go to Disneyland, or borrow because you went to Disneyland, I'd say that's bad. But going to Disneyland even though times are tough, that's a judgement call. BTW - I'd say that 4 or 5 years old is the PERFECT time to introduce Disneyland. They can do so much more and get way more excited about it. IMHO. Plus, maybe I could go with you. That would be the BEST.
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