Making ends meet?

We talk about all kinds of stress.
Work. Relationships. Parenting.

But the one we don’t talk about? Money.

Despite the fact that many of us feel financially strapped, we don’t air that dirty laundry.    

Not socially acceptable, I guess…

And yet – if we’re being honest – it’s common these days.

We live in a culture that overvalues two things: physical appearance and financial status.  Somehow, we’re supposed to magically keep up with both – without ever admitting that the struggle is real. 

Financial stress was a huge part of my vision loss story.  Even now that things have stabilized, I still have expenses that wouldn’t exist otherwise.

Still trying to resolve the lingering issues, I had a specialist appointment earlier this week – over two hours away. 

And I’ll tell you… it was an expensive day, my friends.

An ungodly $840 for the appointment itself (no insurance accepted), plus almost $300 just to get there – because I’m not able to drive long distances.   

The list is endless.  It adds up fast.

And I know I’m not alone in feeling the pressure.    

Maybe you don’t have to deal with wildly expensive doctors, or Uber when life calls for a four-hour road trip… count your lucky stars. 

But you probably can relate to the shock of a $570 utility bill, despite keeping the thermostat at 59 degrees unless kids or guests are in the house.

Seriously? 

Life is expensive.  And it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. 

While we’re on the topic of things we don’t say out loud… I can’t help but address something I see all around me lately.

I know so many women – smart, capable, incredible women – who stay in miserable marriages for financial reasons.    

And who can blame them? 

Because for every woman I know in that situation, I know just as many single parents who struggle to stay afloat.   

I have a great job. I’ve been with the same company for 12 years. I was raised to be hardworking and financially responsible – and I am.

But the reality is, living on one income just doesn’t cut it these days.  

And I’ve tried to solve this problem before. 

Burning the candle at both ends – running myself into the ground – led directly to my unraveling. That path didn’t work.

And while I used to love the idea of my Knight in Shining Armor riding in to save the day, I’m not interested in chasing that illusion, either.  

So what’s a girl to do?

I obviously don’t have all the answers.  But I am starting to ask different questions.

And I do know this: I’m not willing to settle for feeling stuck.
(If you’re right there with me… I hope you’re not either.)

Life has taught me that even in the most challenging situations, there is always a solution – it’s just a matter of when it comes into view.

But we also have to face the truth: solutions don’t find us if we’re standing still.

So maybe it starts with being willing to do something – anything – differently.

Because the bottom line is this:
If nothing changes, nothing changes.