Why Such An Extreme Budget?

It is not by choice that my family lives on such an extreme budget. Most people wouldn't choose to live with such little money coming in. It is usually out of necessity and can be for several different reasons. Some may have lost their jobs, others may have excessive debt or a job that doesn't pay the amount they need to provide for their family. There are many reasons to live with an extreme budget. Each person/families circumstances are unique and are not to be judged. Who knows what choices we would have made if in the same circumstance.

I cannot answer the question, 'Why such an extreme budget?' with one simple phrase. There are several different reasons that when put together have lead us to the financial situation we are in now. My husband used to work as a Personal Banker and I used to work as an Elementary Teacher. We decided to start our family and it was decided before we were married that when we had children I would stay home to raise them. At the same time my husband was unhappy with his position at the bank and we decided that he would go into insurance. I say we because we discussed it for months and probably over discussed where we wanted our life to go. It was finally decided and my husband started his own insurance business. If I was still working and not about to have a baby this may have worked out better, but of course it all came at the same time.

Anyone that has started a business of their own knows how much effort and especially money it takes. The business didn't come together perfectly from the beginning, but it was a tough road and there were mistakes made. My husband had the mind set that, 'failure is not an option' and although times got rough (and frankly are still rough) he never gave up and has stuck with it. Four years later the business is doing well, but now we are working to pay off the debt that has built up over that time.

Although we do not have extra money and sometimes not even enough to pay the monthly bills my husband is happier with his career and in the end that is what makes me happy. I know that we will make it through this. We have had tough times and still may have tough times to come, but we are committed to each other and to our family. We are willing to work together to ensure that what we have will get us through until we get more. I can live with less and be grateful again and again for what we do have love, life, and health.