I Need a Money Tree

But then, who doesn't? Get ready for a litany of First World Problems ...

My husband and I aren't wealthy, at least not by my standards anyway, but we do make a good living. That doesn't mean I get everything I want however, and recently, I've had to really suck it up and be a financially responsible adult. 

Worth a missed vacation and fewer shows?

​When we bought this house this past fall, I knew my showing budget was going to take a hit. That was super easy ​to swallow while I was furnishing and decorating the house. Six months later, the novelty is starting to wear then, and Reality is settling its fat butt on my couch.

Reality is NOT allowed in here. This is my reading (relax and escape from it all) room.

The mortgage at our last house was half of what this one is. But since this house is nearly three times as large, the rest of the bills went up, too. I don't know how common it is in the rest of the country, but here, we pay an HOA (new bill), a cleaning lady (doubled), the pool guy (new bill), the gardener (same price!), and so on. It goes without saying that our electric/gas bill has also gone up along with the cost of filling up my car (we live much farther out now).

I think it's worth it ...

I am learning to say no. When the Pier 1 promo hits my inbox, I delete without looking. I do the same for Joss & Main and SmartPak. I've even hit delete before checking out the newest sales at the Riding Warehouse.
I'm also saying "no" to USDF shows this year, and boy, has that been a bitter pill to swallow.

I can't just not show though; that's not an acceptable option, and no house is worth giving up what I enjoy most. So I've had to make some compromises. After doing a lot of planning and budgeting, I've come up with an acceptable solution to being (temporarily) poor.

My local chapter of the California Dressage Society puts on four shows each summer. Since they are only CDS-rated, they're really cheap with no stabling or over-night costs. While only CDS-rated, the scores from those shows go toward a number of CDS programs. I can earn Rosettes for my plaque, qualify for the Regional Adult Amateur Competition (I only need one more score), and qualify for the CDS Championship Show (which I wouldn't go to anyway as it's too far away).

RAAC 2012 - Intro C Champion 67%

RAAC 2014 - Training Level Champion 72.6%

RAAC is a USDF show. I should qualify with no trouble, and if so, I'll definitely go. And in fact, the RAAC is my main focus for showing this year. I've won my classes twice out of the four times I've competed there. I don't expect to win this year, but my goal is to show up and do well. 

CDS Adult Amateur Clinic Riders - May 2014 (I am in pink on the right)

While it will cost a ridiculously high $700, I've worked it out so that I can participate in this year's CDS Adult Amateur Clinic. I also competed at the one and only local show we have which helped me earn two of the three qualifying scores I need for RAAC.

The local show - photo by Gordon Walter

Lessons are going to be a little tricky since Chemaine's schedule probably won't allow her to come back to Bakersfield until the fall, but I think my budget will allow a monthly trip to her. Gas for the 5-hour round trip costs more than the lesson though. 

Lessons with Chemaine are just as important as a show.

This sounds so self-indulgent, doesn't it? Like I said, First World Problems. I am not used to tightening my belt, and I sort of resent it. I've also let my myself feel discouraged about a seeming lack of progress with Speedy; we're still at First Level?

With this "economy plan" in place, I have some direction and goals to work toward. Until I find that money tree, the tightened (C4) belt will have to do.