Bailout

In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)

In the Dave Ramsey course, I am learning about my relationship with money. In most of my life I am organized, conservative, structured, careful and intelligent. But, when it comes to money, I am a free spirit. That is what Dave Ramsey calls it anyway. I have such little regard for money that I might as well cash my paycheck, stand on top of the Skyway Bridge and throw the bills to the wind. I keep track of the checkbook like the studious girl that I am. Bills get paid on time and in full. But, it requires a lot of juggling and manipulating because I am so impulsive about my spending. Buy the entire office pizza for lunch? No problem. Give youngest money for a trip to Busch Gardens? Why not? Oldest son’s brand new boots don’t fit properly? Wire him some money for another pair. I can’t resist a pink ticket clearance sale and have a closet full of shirts and pants that I have never worn. I love to do crafts and sink a hundred dollars for supplies without a blink. Don’t get me started on the horse stuff that I accumulated just wandering the aisles of the feed store. Husband on the other hand is a nerd. The same man who prefers to travel without reservations or maps, who hates schedules and teases me about being his calendar girl because I carry in my head every social or civic obligation for the next six months, Dave Ramsey labels a nerd. That is because he is fiscally prudent, knows how to save money, carefully considers purchases and buys everything with cash. Who would have thought we would have such role reversal when it came to money management? So, this weekend, we will be sitting down to do a budget. We will be moving to the “envelope” system of setting aside cash for luxuries such as entertainment, clothing, dining out, and buying of non essential items such as craft and horse supplies. Husband has now learned to do our banking on line and checks the accounts everyday. I am almost ready to turn the bill paying over to him and to cut up my credit card. Almost. Why are we doing this? Because no one will offer us a bailout should we overextend our wages. Husband and I have gone round and round about the recent economic news. In his farsighted way of thinking, his prudent economic style, he believes that if there is no bailout, we will all pay dearly in the future. Pay a little now, save a little later. In my emotional free spirited manner, my blood boils at being penalized while the ones who made this mess go scot free. Whatever our political viewpoints, however, there is one bailout that I have taken advantage of. Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood to cover my sins. He gave His life for mine. That is one bailout, I can be thankful for.