The Financial FOUR

Is this the week of a full moon? I am not sure that the last week has really been weird. I think that is the only word that is appropriate. In the last seven days, I have had four requests asking for financial assistance.

The first text message was for help with a down payment for a car. She stated that she would pay me back next week when she got paid. Later, I found out that she was purchased an Acura TSX.
I have been burned by this statement before so I hold no truth to this. I responded with a very polite no.

The next day, the second request came as a text message and this friend asked to borrow (an undisclosed amount) money since she just moved back to the area from North Carolina and funds were night. As before, I didn’t respond because I have a hard core rule about asking for money via text. See Texting Etiquette. However, this situation disturbed me slightly because I offered HER a FREE place to reside while she got on her feet and she denied me because she said I lived too far. I get it..ok. But I offered you what I could AFFORD at the time--stability (a roof over your head, running water, and electricity) not financial assistance.

Two days later, I receive a text message from a family relative in South Carolina asking to borrow $50 until next week (See a pattern?). Staying true to my rule I didn’t respond, but I wondered 1) Was I supposed to wire her this money? 2) When she paid me back, was she going to include the wire charge? I am confident that I know the answer to these questions.

Immediately, I began to pray. I wondered what type of test/challenge was God preparing me for. If you read my blog regularly, you understand that I am a cheap skate and very frugal with my money. I am thankful for what I have but I strive to be wise in my financial decisions. Apparently, those on the outside take this as a front and do not believe that I am financially strapped when I say that I am.

In the past, I often commented that no one ever asked me for money. I assumed that meant that everyone understood I was in this struggle with them and did not have much disposable income. Sheesh! That theory went right out the door with spandex jeans.

So if you are keeping up, you realize that I only mentioned three so far. My fourth, and I pray my last, encounter came from an old colleague of mine. She actually CALLED! I don’t speak to her often so when she called my house phone, cell phone, house phone, and cell phone (in that order) , I knew that she wanted SOMETHING. A woman’s intuition is seldom wrong. She proceeded to give me a sob story about her cable and then closed with “So can I borrow $178 until...(you fill in the blank)?”. Yep, that’s right, NEXT WEEK!!!

All I could do at this point was chuckle. I explained to her that I wasn’t laughing at her struggle but I was really beginning to believe that this was my test. God, why me? Seriously, why?

I don’t wish to turn my friends down when they are in need, but money for a cable bill is just taking our friendship for granted. Do you know how long I went without cable in my life?? Cable is NOT a necessity. EVER!

You must agree, last week I entered the Twilight Zone...

How far can you stretch $10?

I finally got around to filing my taxes!! Woo-hoo! To my surprise, I was refuded a grand total of $10. Seriously. I am happy that I do not owe, however, I feel like slapping someone for sending me a $10 check. How does this happen? I presently owe Federal $1000 and I get a refund from State for $1010. For the remainder of 2010, I need to start a business, obtain a husband, or pop out a few kids. In the meantime, I am looking for creative ways on spending this refund check since purchasing a Mac computer is now officially out the door. So far, I have come up with:

1. A hair cut at Hair Cuttery
2. 3 gallons of gas (Premium)
3. Two Footlong subs from Subway
4. Two value meals from McDonalds
5. A movie ticket (matinee)
6. 10 Redbox movie rentals
7. A car wash
8. a new-release CD
9. wine from the grocery store
10. a pay-per-view movie in a hotel room

Figured I would stop at 10 since this seems to by my lucky number. Hey, maybe I should buy 10 scratch-off lottery tickets.

Why don't you take me seriously?

Last year, my doctor/therapist told me how she felt I didn’t handle stress well. She said that I more of a listener than a talker. In other words, I at time internalize others problems/issues and don’t vent about what is bothering me to others.

When I shared this with a few close friends, they agreed with her. I found this so hard to believe. I feel like every time I open my mouth I am complaining about something. At least it is good to know that my friends don’t view me as Negative Nelly. However, I try to always have a solution to my problem. As that is a pet peeve of mine. I don’t like when others constantly bicker, nag, and complain and never even offer a resolution on how to overcome the problem.

What upsets me is when I hear how people, more specifically my friends don’t take me serious. And why not? The most recent statements have come from my wishes/wants of getting a roommate, wanting a new job, and desiring to move South. To me, none of these things are outrageous.

Nonetheless, as I reflect, I am now realizing that the doctor and my friends could be right. Subconsciously, this could be why I don’t share or vent my problems, as often. And who do I blame? The naysayers in my life. My naysayers aren’t necessarily negative in the sense that they knock down all my dreams and wishes. But they are passive pessimistic. They simply don’t believe anything I say. So why does this bother me so much?

Because it makes me feel I am a liar. Why else would you not believe me? It makes me feel like my close friends have no faith or belief in me. It makes me feel like while my friends are there to listen to me vent, they secretly think my resolution is ridiculous! (gasp)

So now that I have become armed with this revelation, where do I go from here? I have no idea. I don’t love these people any less, just wanted to vent…