Growing Pains

The most daunting thing in the world is ... BILLS! I know that sounds so cliché, but seriously! We spend our whole childhood trying to grow up, constantly thinking "If only I had my own place." If I were able to talk to younger me I would slap my own face! And I often refrain myself from smacking a few other kids now. Even young adults who should know this by now but their parents let them live at home with little care in the world. I try to be careful to say "little care" because I know a few whose parents make them pay at least one bill or two. But its not like all the bills when you're completely on your own.

Yesterday I talked about how frustrating it is to not have a laundry room. And now today, its bills. I'm sure someone is thinking "Wow, she likes to complain." Let me explain a bit. Its not that I'm complaining (maybe a little); I'm just stating what everyone wants to scream out. You know you cry inside a little bit every time you open your mail box and you see that bill sitting there. Sometimes they even have that evil little Grinch-like grin.

We just have to learn to come to terms with these nasty little twerps. We're going to have bills for the rest of our lives. However, we can learn how to keep them to the minimum. In the last few years I have seriously learned to be earnestly thankful for how my parents raised me. I grew up in financial struggle. Sometimes I was painfully aware of it, others, I just thought it was a normal way of life. The year before my wedding I decided to research ways to live frugally. Looking for DIY tips/tricks and tiny things that can save money on my utility bills. Come to find out, my parents raised me on ALOT of those tricks. I remember calling my mom frustrated because there was nothing left for me to learn or try; I was just that broke!

Through all this, not only have I learned to be thankful for my parents' hard work, I have also learned to appreciate what I have all the more. I'm more careful with how I handle things. I've learned to stretch the grocery budget; how many times I eat out; how often I buy clothes. Everything. And I care for my things a lot better than I would have when I was a teen. (Of course I wasn't that far off either.) And, you know, sometimes cereal for dinner is the best feast of the week.

For those of you still living at home; LIVE IT UP! If your parents let you stay home, without complaining, and don't charge you much rent, THANK THEM! Because before you know it, you'll be living in a teeny tiny apartment on the verge of tears at the beginning of every month because that rent bill is waiting. Be thankful you have a roof over your head. Or even just a hot meal to come home to. I truly am grateful for the experience I am going through now, but if I could have my way, those Grinch-face bills could go straight back up their hill and stay there, out of my own little Who-town!