I think I mentioned before that our family is doing Financial Peace University online. We just finished Week 8 last night.

Now, let me tell you that my children are not the happiest of people that we are going through this as a family. They’d rather be playing on the computer, reading their books, or hanging out with their friends. They’re not very vocal about it but body language speaks volumes.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret, though. Things are getting VERY weird at my house. It’s like my family has been taken over a la Invasion of the Bodysnatchers. Let me give you a couple of examples:

Mark and I went grocery shopping a couple of weeks ago. Now, ya’all know that I shop at several different stores and only go for the deals. So, by the time we hit Wal-Mart’s check out line (the last stop) we were both really thirsty. I said “Will you grab one of those Diet Coke’s in the cooler and put it on the counter?” and Mark looked at me… then back at the cooler… then back at me and said “Uh, no. Those 20 oz. bottles are $1.59. We just bought 3 - 2 Liter bottles for less than that. We can wait until we get home.” Wait… wait… WHAT? How’d HE get to be the frugal one?

Then, the next day, I had to take two of the 3 girls shopping for bathing suits. At the cash register, my 11 year old Pollywog said “Mommy, can I use my money to buy some candy?” Well… it was her money… why not?
When she put her candy on the counter, her 13 year old sister, Moonbeam, also put candy up there that Pollywog agreed to lend her the money for. The conversation went like this:

Me: Moonbeam, did you bring money?
Pollywog: That’s ok, mommy, she’s going to pay me back for it as soon as we get home. She just forgot her wallet.
Me: Ok, but just know that you’re going into debt to buy candy because you didn’t plan ahead. Is it really worth it to go into debt to your sister for candy?
Moonbeam: Yes Ma’am. Don’t worry, I’ll pay it back as soon as we get home.
……..
On hour later at home:
Me: Moonbeam, did you pay your sister back for the candy she bought you?
Moonbeam: Yes Ma’am. Just as soon as we got home.
Turtle (the 16 year old) from the kitchen: MOONBEAM… YOU’RE DEEEEEEEBBBBTTTT FREEEEEEEE … AND THERE’S NO MORE CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!

Then they all collapsed into giggles.

Three days ago… Turtle is running through the house after finishing all of her laundry chores yelling: I’M LAUNDRY FREE!!!!!!!!!!

*scratching my head* I think that they may be paying attention after all. I have to say, though, it’s no fun being the money nerd if everyone else in the house is more frugal than you are.

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