Programmed for Poverty
When examining the patterns, check in with your feelings. Connect to the emotion behind the motivation. Do you want to be rich to prove a point? Is that why you assume the persona of a big spender? Did you grow up in a house where money’s influence was inescapable, so you’re reacting by rejecting it? Knowing yourself and the forces at work are key. Cary related taking a quiz once that revealed him as a “money martyr” — a description that surprised him, but proved accurate. “I felt money had mistreated me,” he said. That money had screwed him over. “That now I’m fucked because of money!” Yeah! We try so hard to do right by money and for what? Nothing! Except maybe that’s just a way of avoiding responsibility. If it’s money’s fault, it can’t be ours, right? But the truth is we can change. We’re not stuck.
A manual on just how to do this would be helpful. You know those nights when everyone’s tired and cranky and hungry and no one wants to make dinner so you order a pizza, two pizzas because the kids are starving, and it seems reasonable except underneath your desire to appease everyone, you know you’re compromising your ability to pay the car insurance that’s due right now, but you don’t want to be the one trying to figure out what to cook when you’re also tired and cranky and hungry, so you take the momentarily easy path assuring yourself and everyone else, “It’ll work out”? But, as Cary said, “the numbers are the numbers” and that expense isn’t “magically” going to be repaid.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a guide in those moments? “Uh oh, dinner crisis! Turn to page 86!” Lacking that, send your suggestions to jennifersavage@northcoastjournal.com. Maybe we can write that guide together.
→ post a comment
on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Recent savage money
Jan. 20, 2011
Quit Your Whining
In this country, the destitute have never had it so good!
Dec. 23, 2010
Resolved: Solvency
After the Xmas deluge, put your financial house in order this January
Nov. 25, 2010
That Dreadful Time of Year
But if you keep your head about you, Christmas can actually be kinda fun
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
More →
0 Comments