Just when I think I'm making some headway into getting my money saved up, I find myself needing another car.  I need a car so I can work and I need to work to make money which is now going into my car.  Which means I'm essentially alive right now so I can work.  Well ->-bleeped-<- that I've had enough.  Yeah I know everyone else would be super sad but you know what?  It's not their life.

Maddie.

I've posted this before, but can't remember if I directed it at you.

You need to rethink your attitude to money.

We basically have three types of expenditure. Capital, essential and luxury. (There are more, but for here, these will do).

Capital is what you must spend to earn more.

Essential is what you must spend to survive.

Luxury, in this example, is everything else.

You need  car to earn. So it is capital. But, you don't need a more expensive car than is necessary. Equally, a really cheap car or one that costs a lot to run is wasteful. You buy a car that is reliable, efficient and at the lowest price. Also, take care of it so, when the time comes, you can sell it.

Essential. You must eat, attend to your health and pay your bills. But you can save a lot here by cutting back. Don't go out, buy cheaper food and essentials, provided the quality is good enough, and always pay your bills. But turn off lights, Get a lower rent apartment and so on.

And don't give up, never give up.

Spacial said it correctly! Especially the part about, "And don't give up, never give up."

We enjoy your posts. I am sorry you are having a tough time. There will be a new day and it will be a better one.

~Big Hugs~
Mrs Erocse

Hi Maddie, I am sorry to hear you are struggling with this. I hear you loud and clear about spending on vehicles. In the past couple of years I have put over three thousand in my pickup truck so that has put a huge vacuum in my spending. But Spacial is right and breaks it down quite well I think. We have to keep our vehicles in good running condition or they will break down and be unsellable when the time comes for another one. We have to put gas in them (at least I do) to get back and forth. We must eat and maintain our good health or we get sick and can't work. Yeah, I hear ya!

Life is difficult at times but difficult times will go bye and situations will turn around to be pleasant again-IF we don't give up trying. The cycle of life dictates that we weather conditions of opposites-good/evil, hot/cold, pleasant/difficult, love/hate... I think of it like this- just down the road there will be someone else who will need my help to make it where they have to go. If I am not there to help them how will they get there? That idea helps me keep on going when I would like to give up and I have been very close to the edge of ending it but I don't like to think about that-very dark time. I have come out of that time and have resolved to stay in the light and enjoy what time I have left and hopefully go of natural causes when it is my time. Chin up honey, you can make it thru this.

Randi

I could get through this but I'm not going to.  Why?  Because I'm noticing a trend where just as I break through one barrier another one is dropped right in front of me and I've quite frankly had enough.  I don't go out.  My car is a '91 and has no resale value and I'm currently living with my mother.  Really I'm living about as cheaply as I can go and I've had it.  I'm not doing it anymore if this is what life throws at me.

Look I've heard it all.  "We'll all be sad."  Well life is full of disappointments now isn't it?
                                   "But you have so much to offer."  I'm can't offer the wold anything if they won't accept it.  I've been turned down by more jobs than I
                                    care to count.
                                    "It will all get better."  If everything turned out the way we want, the entire world would be filled with movie stars, baseball players,
                                    and astronauts.

Don't bother posting after this.  I won't be around to read it.

That is so wrong!!! You are hurting your Mom and all of us. Why would you do that?

It matters!!! Don't do it!!!

I hear the bitterness and frustration in what you wrote maddie. I feel for you and I hope that you will return. It does seem like sometimes we work to live, with endless car repairs and bills and barriers popping up all around us.  I have been where you are.

I won't say that "it will get better" or some other platitude like that. But I will say that there is always the possibility of something better just around the corner for you.

And your mom loves you too, as do all of us at susans.

You have worth, even though you can't see it right now.

Maddie:

There's not much I can say that has not been said already.
Life can be a complete downer, but it's all a matter of perspective.
Right now you're in a place with a bad perspective, that will change if you give it a chance.
No, a fairy godmother will not come through and make everything instantly better.
Right now you are surviving. It gives you an opportunity for things to get better later.
Take that opportunity.

Renate

I'm not gonna offer guilt or a vain "cheer up" or any such thing. I know how "little things" can really be the straw that breaks the camel's back and even something as "simple" as this can make a world of difference.
I know what it's like to drag yourself through another day because you can't afford the alternative, and I know what it's like to feel like you're not living for yourself at all.

But I also know that it can't rain all the time. It may feel like it will never end, 'specially if it's been going on for a while, but it still can't.
Logic dictates.
Hang on to logic and reason. Hang onto physical facts.
Don't let emotion run your life.
And don't set your sights on the biggest victories first, look at the small ones, the small battles to win. Chip away at life 'till you've made it yours.

Take control of little things and hang onto that control, even if the big things won't give in yet.

Hold on just a little longer.
Can't rain all the time.

So this is a theme I wrote for one of the characters in the story I'm working on.  Rixnion is essentially the last of his kind; his civilization has long since collapsed.  With everyone he ever knew gone his life is on a major downward spiral.  Yeah that feeling is pretty much a reflection of my life.

That is beautiful Maddie.

Thank you so much for sharng that with us.

Maddie,

I loved the video.  What a lovely theme and your artwork is distinctive and detailed.  Thank you for sharing it with the world. 

Life sucks for you right now - and your melancholy shows in your music and orchestration. 

No, I won't insult you with unwanted platitudes but the video also offers a glimpse of what you have to offer to not one but two arts. 

Susan

Maddie Secutura,

     Awesome video! Please let me purchase your first copy when your wonderful work is finished. We have a lot in common:
I have been feeling like you for the last few weeks. Locked myself away all alone and stressed about everything wrong in my life for two weeks. Sounds like Rixnion also. I'm so glad I woke up and came back to this family to see that you are still here too!
It really can't rain all the time. Please keep us updated on your work!

Jennifer

P.S. Carl Sagan is one of my top ten favorite writers/scientist/hero's.

The video and artwork is beautiful. I am glad to that you are still here to share with us. Thank you for sharing.

It is nice to see you again Jennifer. I missed you too. You are right it cannot rain all of the time. I know that 2010 has been a difficult year for so many. I am glad to see it go. Hail to the New Year and positive possibilities.

Best wishes.
Love & Hugs.
Patty