COULD SOMEBODY PUH-LEASE GIVE ME A CLUE...

I assume that like most Americans I grew up not really knowing or being taught much about financial matters. For the most part, I never really thought about money and nobody really brought it up. If I wanted something, I asked…sometimes I got it, sometimes I didn’t. I attended private school, lived in a house with air conditioning (BIG DEAL in the Virgin Islands, even though it wasn’t Central Air), wore nice enough clothes (both my mother and grandmother are VERY fashionable), etc.
But there was no really detailed discussion about where the money came from or how you kept it. I mean, I saw my grandparents and parents go to work everyday and I knew that they got paid but like most kids my money was my money to do as I pleased (It wasn’t a whole lot of money, but it was money none the less).

Even when my father didn’t pay my tuition on time, it never occurred to me that maybe he didn’t have the money, I always assumed that he forgot to pay (I still believe that it was because he was too busy to remember when it was due). My introduction to money management came after he became ill and could no longer work I began to receive social security payments, which looking back, could have been put to better use if I had some solid financial advice. I spent the money on things that seemed to be prorities at the time and saved a little to but a computer when I went to college. I guess looking back I had given more thought to real estate and stocks and more long term things vs. that size 2 designer dress that was oh so cute in 1995 but couldn't even fit my big toe now in 2008!

I am indeed still baffled by financial matters. Last week one of my friends said, “I had more money at 21 than I do now at 31”. I’m afraid that I am in the same boat. By 23, I was already a college graduate and a homeowner…I was also already a wife and mother (great accomplishments, but also expensive accomplishments). Though we were struggling financially, I just expected things to get better with time, and they have, but we are still struggling to rise above the weekly financial shuffle. I find myself spending a lot of time dreaming up ways to make, grow and keep money…but in addition to everything else that I have to do, it gets SO exhausting!!!

Sometimes I look around at other people (sometimes in envy, most times in disgust) and I wonder how in this current economy they are still able to drive HUMMERS and live in palacial homes, stay at home with their babies and shop at WHOLE FOODS MARKET, etc. I don’t get it…My conclusion, I must be doing something(s) wrong!

While I have no desire to drive a HUMMER, I would like to be able to pay my bills (on time) and save some money. I would like to be able to fix up my condo before it falls even further into disrepair and to visit my family in the Caribbean more often. I guess what I’m saying is I’d like to achieve some semblance of financial freedom, so that I could enjoy life and pass the message and benefits on to my children. Currently, we spend most of our time working so that we can pay bills and in the process make more bills...I DONT GET IT! ANY TIPS?