Today is Mother's Day
It's the 2nd Mother's Day since our Mom left us 672 days ago (I'm an accountant so I count). She was our family's superhero for so many reasons (I can't count). She left us after contracting a hospital infection which lead to a heartbreaking year-long journey; but that's an entirely different story. Myself and my 4 younger siblings were extremely lucky to have such a strong, brave, funny and extraordinary Mom for as long as we did. She instilled a great deal of life and financial long term wisdom into us. Over the past many months (23 to be exact), countless friends and family members continue to tell us how much she meant to them. Most of them have a story and and some wisdom she passed along to them as well. Sometimes you don't realize how valuable really simple advice can be until some years later. Sometimes you don't realize how much you will miss that continuing flow of wise advise until it ends. But on a basic level, you also realize you're never too old to miss your Mom.
However, our Mom left us with outstanding memories and happy childhoods and though myself and my siblings might not have received everything we wanted when we were growing up, we received everything we needed. Early lessons on Needs versus Wants are helpful. She was a fantastical financial wizard who was able to raise 5 children (4 in 3 years/5 in 7 years) on one very modest paycheque while keeping her sanity somehow in the 850 square foot/3 bedroom bungalow beauty we grew up in. She inspired all of us from an early age to be good financial consumers and advocates and left us with a balanced chequebook and thousands of helpful notes scattered throughout the house to help us clear and organize the house clearing. She was practical that way. She was a brave widow at the young age of 58. I remember so vividly having to stop for milk at the store on the way home from the hospital after our father died because milk was on sale ..It was I guess the first sign of the fact that while she was saddened she was determined to carry on. She did so triumphantly and herocially as we should have expected. I'm happy to share some of her financial and cost saving wizardry this Mother's Day.
18 pearls of Motherly financial wisdom from a much missed Mom
- Always check your bills, especially your grocery bills, item by item. Chances are you will find a mistake. Make sure you follow up. Over time it will add up.
- The right direction to hang toilet paper is (obviously) OVER! Otherwise, way too many squares will be used.
- Don’t turn the thermostat UP. "PUT A SWEATER ON"!
- When there’s a sale, stock up. Buy in bulk. Get a big freezer or even 2 (She did) and be sure to regularly "rotate your stock" to reduce waste.
- Make “meat in the pot” to use up all of your leftovers. When someone asks for the recipe, change the subject
- Never be afraid to ask for a rain check from a store when sale items run out. Get your 5 kids to ask for one too.
- Pay your bills on time. Use a kitchen calendar to keep track of payment due dates even if one of them is for the cemetery plot.
- Plant a (huge) vegetable garden and reap the rewards for your family but also for your neighbours
- There is absolutely nothing wrong with frozen vegetables when fresh costs twice as much
- Don’t be uncomfortable using grocery store coupons even if you hold up the grocery line and embarrass your kids.
- Expiry dates are really only guidelines and more about making you buy more. (I guess she was right since we all survived)
- There’s nothing wrong with having your kids do chores around the house and linking it to an allowance. Those walls will not wash themselves.
- Balance your chequebook regularly. Even banks make mistakes. Balancing helps with your budgeting and helps you avoid fraud.
- Money does not guarantee happiness; but it can make things a lot easier
- Always recognize the the difference between NEEDS and WANTS
- If you buy the best furniture you can afford; Your furniture MIGHT last 56 years (and it did).
- TURN THE LIGHTS OFF when you leave the room & open/close the outside door quickly to save hydro (unless you ACTUALLY were born in a barn)
- Have difficult conversations about important things like advanced care planning and final wishes because "Stuff happens" not all of it good. Have your paperwork in order always and share it with your family.
My siblings and I were well blessed. We were lucky and we are grateful. Our Mom was remarkable in so many ways and her extraordinary wisdom will live on always.
Happy Mother's day to all.
