Bank Account Gratefulness

I remember once hearing a story about a genie who granted wishes.  One person asked for a million dollars, and "poof", he was rich.  Quickly, though he spent all his money on extravagant things and wound up broke. So the next man asked for 10 million dollars and "poof" he was also rich, and while he had more money than the first man, he spent it rapidly.  Therefore, the third man said to the genie "I always want to have enough in my pocket to pay for whatever it is I need or want" and "poof" he had his wish.  From then on, the third man always had exactly enough money in his pockets for whatever it was he wanted.

When I was younger I didn't understand the story.  I thought "Sure, it's great to always have enough, but why wouldn't you want the big amount and then just not be stupid about it?"  And yet, the story stuck with me.  After my mom died and I was basically 22 and learning to fend for myself, working at any given point 2-4 jobs, I always felt like I was grappling.  Gasping.  Barely breathing at times.  I stuck to my saving budget: 10% to long term savings (ROTH IRA, etc), 20% to long-term bills (health insurance deductibles, car fixes, insurance, etc) and the rest to my bank account for what I actually needed that month.

And there were times I wondered how I'd do it.  I didn't carry credit cards until about 2 years ago, having had the blessing of mom's life insurance paying down what was racked up while she was sick and in and out of hospitals, so I had an innate and true fear of them.  I felt like if it didn't directly come out of my debit account or wasn't there the minute I needed whatever it was I was going to buy, then I wasn't supposed to have it / didn't really need it.  Luckily, that worked well to keep me in check.

And there was a time I had $5.36 in my debit account that needed to stretch 4 days.  I remember not driving AT ALL if I didn't absolutely have to.  And I think I must have scrounged whatever food was in the pantry and at work that week, but somehow I made it.  At the end of that week, I remember reflecting back on that story.  I didn't have much, but it was exactly what I needed.

I wouldn't say I'm rolling in dough now.  I don't think anyone ever feels completely "secure" unless they have passive income in the six and seven digits coming in on a regular basis, but I may be wrong there too.  All I know is I'm not 29, and seven years have passed since I was more or less completely on my own.  Since then I have paid off a car, paid down some student loans, bought a house, helped pay for a wedding, gone to Europe twice (living there for 4 months at one point), started a business, and enjoyed numerous little life perks in the between times.  And although I've never had a surplus of "EXTRA" - I'm not the man who wished for 10 million dollars to find it "poof" at my feet - I've always found I'm the third man: the one who always had just enough.  (long term savings aside). 

But you know what?  While surplus brings with it the sense of comfort and is important for planning retirement and "what if" scenarios, the reality is if you need $150 in groceries and you have $151 or $500 in the bank account, you can afford the groceries and eat for the week.  Having enough is sometimes all you need. 

So take a moment to be grateful for all the times you maybe didn't feel rich but had enough to take care of what you needed.  Smile, and send out a big thank you to the universe or God, because that, awesome readers, is the best gift of all.

Ein Turns One!

Happy update from Ein!!! We are almost 1, about 11/12 inches off the ground, about 33-35 inches long (I kept moving so mom couldn't measure) and 27.8 lbs.

I love looking out the front door and moving the curtain so I can see, or running out the door when dad forgets to tell me to "stay" or I'd rather pretend I don't hear him (but then I get in trouble so I usually listen).  I talk all the time, and am an awesome guard dog (sometimes mom and dad don't realize how dangerous wind can be! So I let them know).  I love talking to the neighborhood dogs, even if they aren't as awesomely social as I am.   If I could just talk all the time I would.  I want one of those collars like the dog is "UP" has! 

Fetch is my favorite, but so is snuggling when I'm tired. I have a fave toy (the dead blue lion in the pic) and he's always wet with slobber and in my mouth when I'm not in the crate or sleeping.  I don't like when mom washes him because then all the awesome smells are gone, so I have to go right back to work.

Rolling is also super fun. I roll on the cement patio and rugs and carpets, and it's awesome.  I have mom and dad pretty well trained but I'm really good at listening and can do sit, down, stay, over, up, speak, and when I feel like it, quiet.  I don't understand their obsession with Paw/shake, so I'm holding out as long as possible.

I have a buddy, Charlie- my cousin the mini schnauzer. I love him but then get really sad when they leave. He's my size which is so fun and he loves to play!

That's all! Yay for birthdays!!!