In difficult times, treasure what’s most valuable

Things haven’t been easy for me in recent months. Last Spring, my husband and I separated. For the first time in my adult life, I’m on my own -- with three children at home. In August, my car was hit in the rear by an uninsured driver. Then as of yesterday, my position with the newspaper was eliminated, and I am now without a job.

That’s a lot to handle within a few months’ time.

While it’s been difficult for sure, there’s one thing I’ve found that’s been truly wonderful and amazing. It’s family. And those people who care, they've really come through!

When I first moved into my own place, funds were short and the oil tank was empty. My elderly grandfather and my mother both helped to get me a delivery.

When after splitting up a household, I didn’t have a few basics... Some of those things came from the most unexpected sources. (Thank you!!)

My oldest daughter is 17. I’m very proud of her. She goes to school, cheerleads, and holds a job. With my work schedule, I wasn’t always available to drive her where she needed to go, when she needed to get there. She has her driver’s license, but there was no way in my situation that I could have bought her a car.

Kayla had been estranged from her father. They hadn’t spoken in a very long time. But he spotted a decent car with a sign on it on the side of the road and checked it out. With some of Kayla’s savings and help and contributions from various relatives (along with a bit of haggling to get the price down as low as possible!) — through a true combination of efforts — Kayla now has a car and she drives herself to school and work.

Especially wonderful: Her older brother, who at 22 is now living on his own and struggling to make ends meet himself, contributed towards the cost of Kayla’s car. And her step-father — he generously put four new tires on it to ensure her safety.

The added plus — Kayla and her father are speaking again.

Certainly, smart shopping your “Bargain Avenues” can make things easier for those on tight budgets. Finding quality second-hand clothing at thrift stores, searching out great deals on eBay, and knowing how to identify sellable collectibles at garage & yard sales can help to stretch dollars.

And while finding a great price on gas today in RI was terrific...

KEEP IN MIND: Our most precious assets are not likely to be found at a gas pump or hidden inside a plastic storage bin at the flea market...

My mom and my kids

What is most valuable in our lives is all around us. It’s there, in the people we interact with every day. Kayla’s 17 year-old boyfriend, David, who changed her oil and cleaned her car inside and out, expecting nothing in return. (And let’s not forget how many times he drove her to work when I couldn’t!) My mother who calls me regularly, just to see how I’m feeling, and if there’s anything she can help me with... My 19 year-old son, Ryan, who comes over in a heartbeat from RI to cut my grass and also tackles my household to-do list! The people who hugged me when I lost my job. There’s so much more...

Some things are just simple joys.

The smile on my youngest daughter’s

face on her first day of pre-school!

Sure, this economy will test us and stress us...

Just remember to treasure what’s most valuable in YOUR life!

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