Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

Let me be frank.  I have no assets to speak of right now.  We've all been there and while I’m at odds with my current financial stats, I do know there’s an end in sight.  I made a decision to return to college at the age of 32 and here I am, five years later, still matriculating.  In nine months, one day, two hours, and thirty-five minutes (give or take); I will finally graduate from college.  For those without a calendar handy, that’s August 9, 2014 mid-afternoon.

G-R-A-D-U-A-T-E!!! 

Yes.  The light at the end of the tunnel is finally shining on me.

When you think about being a college student, thoughts of endless frat parties, ramen noodles, and all-night study groups might come to mind.  This is probably true if you’re in the 18 to 20 crowd, but if you’re a single Mama with four kids to raise, endless laundry, Mac & Cheese, and late night middle school projects are the reality.  I’m not complaining.  I love being a Mom and I’m so very proud of my kids!  They are the reason why I’m going to school.  It is their future that I am securing by making higher education a priority in my life, and by default, my kids have adopted this lifestyle of want and sacrifice in exchange for their mother’s degree.  Next summer, when the University of Florida issues a Bachelor of Arts degree in my name, I would ask that somewhere on that crisp linen-rich certificate, the names Maggie, Haley, Zachary, and Gavin be forever embossed alongside mine.  For they too have earned this honor.

An example:

Kimberly Williams Henderson

(Maggie, Haley, Zachary & Gavin Henderson)

I digress.  This is a blog post about the economy of being poor… 

Yesterday, I took Zachary to a doctor’s appointment in Gainesville.  Knowing that we would be out through prime lunching hours, I was wracking my brain to figure out how I would feed myself and my ever-hungry adolescent son.  I was also struck with the urgency of my gas gauge, which rudely shouted that we would not have enough fuel to get back home.  Now, I enjoy walking on a beautiful sunny day, but a 35 mile casual stroll with an eleven year old in tow seemed a bit excessive.

With bank accounts dwindling after paying rent and the other “first of the month” necessities, I looked to my mostly maxed-out credit cards for a solution.  There was none to be found unless gas stations and restaurants would accept Belk and Lowes credit cards.  And then it hit me.  Gas stations and restaurants don’t accept department store credit cards, BUT Lowes does have a rather large display of gift cards to assorted restaurants and gas stations!

Friends: I’m very sad to report this as my light bulb moment for Thursday.

I turned towards Lowes as we exited the doctor’s office parking lot, all the while explaining to Zachary the mechanics of credit card lending along with the benefits of an elevated beacon score.  He issued an exasperated sigh, finding comfort in thoughts of a full belly and a sleepy ride home.  Shortly thereafter, we were inside Lowes, browsing the gift card display.  Zachary, having a light bulb moment of his own, looked at me and said,

“Are you sure it isn't illegal to do this?”

“What do you mean?” I replied.

“You know, buying a gift card for lunch and gas on your LOWES credit card?”

I just looked at him.  Grinning.

“Zachary, Lowes doesn't care what I buy with my credit card.  They only care that I pay my bill on time each month.”

Fascinated that we were not violating any local or national laws, Zach picked a $15 Subway gift card.  I grabbed a $25 Shell gift card and we walked to a register.  Then, without a second thought or a twinge of guilt, we paid for our lunch AND gas at Lowes. 

Please don’t think me a bad mother.  I would surely break down and cry.  This is a very real example of what it’s like to have needs with little resources.  Somehow, without breaking any laws or burdening others, you figure out a way to get by.  I speak openly to my children about how bills, income and budgeting flow together.  They have a genuine understanding of what it’s like to have more month than money.  I would like to think that through this season of going without, they will gain a greater appreciation during seasons of plenty. 

Alas, brighter days are coming!  Days when we won’t have to buy our lunch and gas at Lowes!