Price Tag

There is a new song by Jessie J and B.O.B. (yeah I don’t really know who they are either) by this title that comes up often on the radio. I was driving in the car one day when it came on and had the thought that it seemed pretty apropos to my current situation. Here is the chorus:

It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag
Ain't about the (ha) Cha-Ching Cha-Ching.
Ain't about the (yeah) Ba-Bling Ba-Bling
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag.

You see, since I have no job, I obviously have no steady source of income. I pick up the odd babysitting job now and then, but it’s nothing that can really sustain me. When I got my last bank statement, I visibly cringed when I saw the balance. It’s not that I am technically out of money, just that the number is a lot lower than it was last year, and a lot lower than I would like it to be.

With all this free time that I have, there is all kinds of things that I would love to do, yet they all cost money. And with my bank account being what it is, I have to really think about any “unnecessary” purchases, especially since I just had to spend over $600 getting my car fixed. With gas prices being what they are I am so incredibly grateful that I have a Prius that gets great mileage, even though filling up the tank still feels like highway robbery. Some people in my position (no job, lots of time on their hands) would take this opportunity to go on a trip somewhere. It is my dream to go on a trip to India, but that would take money I simply don’t have. I guess that’ll have to go on my long-term wish list.

However, to be fair I also have to say that my parents have been very supportive of me. When I was needing a lot of new clothes (because my others were too big *yay*), my mom helped pay for some of them. In addition, she just bought me a whole bunch of stuff at the Wilton tent sale for when I (eventually) move out. Also, they are very kind in paying for my gym membership so that I can keep up with my fitness and enjoy my yoga classes. Best of all, they mercifully allow me to keep living in the house without paying rent. ;-D

But getting back to what I started this post with, the song is pretty much trying to say that people shouldn’t be so worried about money and getting things, just enjoy what’s around you. And I try to. There are plenty of free things that I enjoy. I am thankful that I live in a wonderful neighborhood with some great running routes and the Prairie Path very close by which I can run for free. I have a nice big backyard that’s great for sunbathing when it’s sunny out and I don’t feel like going to the pool. Also, I am grateful for my library card, which allows me to feed my reading habit without draining my savings. Best of all, I have a family that loves and supports me for no reason other than because that’s what family does.

I know that there are a lot of people who are a lot worse off than me and in more serious financial situations, but this is where I am right now. I’m kind of stuck in this limbo where I don’t have a job, and no real source of income, but still need to spend money on things. Just about everyone wishes that they had more money for various reasons, but maybe what we really need to do is take a step back, look at all that we have, and be grateful for it.