Finances

 

What specific thoughts or lessons shared by Poduska are most relevant and applicable to you as you either prepare for marriage or adjust to financial challenges in marriage?

 

I really enjoyed reading Poduska’s lessons about finances. I especially enjoyed the part about the birth order clusters. As it listed the birth order of first-born, second-born, middle child, and last born, I began to see myself and my husband in the descriptions. He is not a first-born child, but he sure resembles the characteristics of a first-born. He is excellent with finances, he knows how to manage money effectively and plan purchases. He is very responsible. He did have some control issues when we were first married because my habits didn’t jive with his, but he has gotten better. I have improved a great deal as well. I do appreciate the opportunity that I have had to learn so much from him. My style was and has been that of the middle child and last born placement descriptions. I was the baby for 5 years, then two more siblings joined our family, so I feel that the combination of the two types of descriptions have set the way for how I am. Poduska explains middle born children are budget followers, but they seek to please others. I was and can be a people pleaser at times. I want to feel accepted or loved, instead of rejected. Therefore, I buy elaborate gifts in order to be “wanted” so to speak. I do struggle with this a lot, especially around this time of the year, Christmas time. I want to buy everything for everyone.

I can take on the last born spot because I was used to being the baby for a while and got what I wanted. There are many times where I am self-indulgent. I am better than I was, but I am still paying for decisions I made in previous years because of the debt I accrued. It is a sad and long road to get rid of debt. I feel like I am in bondage. I have strived to overcome my tendencies by working within a budget, but I often feel like the “scarcity” rears its ugly head to make me make impulsive or emotional decisions, instead of being mindful with my purchases. My husband surely does ground me by preventing me from getting carried away. I am thankful for him. He is the string to my kite.

 Financial freedom requires us to be grounded, so that we can soar higher. Idea from reading and understanding that the financial strategies are important to follow.

Google search “kite”: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=kite+clipart&FORM=HDRSC2