“Honey, why
are the lights off tonight?” This is a question a wife asked
her husband one hot summer night. The husband nervously
responded: “I could not pay the bill last month.”
What is this
response suggesting? Is it a lack of money or a lack of
planning? It could be a lack of planning. Even in some low
income families, when priorities are in place and people have an
appropriate understanding of what is truly important, the lights
are not turned off because of lack of payment. On the other
hand, there are many middle and upper income families who are
defaulting on their monthly utilities bills because of lack of
planning. It is ludicrous when people build a house valued at
hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even over a million
dollars, and they cannot pay the light bill. It is obvious
that either the owners did not truly financially plan or they
hung their baskets too high.
Many decide
what they want based on feelings and covetousness (what their
friends have). They want a six-bedroom house and they only have
two children. In addition, they want a very large house with
extra large rooms, triple car garage, redwood kitchen cabinets,
porcelain bath tubs, whirlpool baths, swimming pool, cabanas,
etc. They feel good that they are finally achieving their
dream. Some of these homes are more than three thousand square
feet in size, and others are even more than five to eight
thousand square feet. Even with great energy planning and the
use of low energy equipment, the electricity bill will be
high. They did not think about that.
There are some
people who feel that they should reward themselves with their
giant dream houses. They reason that since they have a good
income they can afford to splurge. Sometimes these homes start
building during the last years of their children’s high school
years. When the children go off to college, the six bedrooms
are empty and will remain empty for decades to come. Expenses
of a giant house and college tuition are not compatible.
Further, they cannot afford a helper to keep the entire house
clean. The yard is too big to maintain and the lights are out.
The dream is over and the nightmare begins.
BAD CHOICES
Too many
families choose giant televisions, multi cars, expensive
vacations, extravagant clothing, and expensive entertainment
over their utility bills. Far too many do not understand that
utility bills, loans, and mortgages take priority over food and
gifts. They must be paid before the food is purchased. It is
foolish to plan a trip to Miami to get school supplies when the
light bill is due and you are behind on your loan payment..
Why take three
children and two adults on a spending trip to Miami, to “save
money” and leave bills at home? This is financial suicide. If
these parents would stop and think and plan by writing down
their income and expenses, they would discover that although
items might be cheaper in Florida, the cost to get there is not
worth it. They would spend $2,000 for airline tickets, $1,000
for the hotel, $800 for food, and $250 for transportation so
they can spend $1500 on school supplies. If they remain at
home, the same school supplies would only cost $2000, and that’s
all the expense. The trip to Florida would cost a total
$5,550. What a waste! How stupid! Then the lights are off
and the parents cannot pay for the needed medical visit, dental
needs, or the entire school fee. I have personally noticed
parents who would not pay their child’s school fees or light
bills because they have “no money,” but they are anxious to go
on a vacation trip and would sacrifice for it. After returning
from the trip, the child is not allowed in classes and the
lights are off, then they are disgruntled, unreasonable, and
blame everyone except themselves.
TOUGH TIMES
Bahamians
spend more than 1.5 billion dollars a year in South Florida.
Based on my reasoning, at least 1 billion dollars could have
been spent in the Bahamas and the spenders would be in a better
financial position. We are all aware that the world economy is
not good. If there is a time everyone must be wise in spending,
it is now. Each family unit must have a budget to plan how
every cent will be spent. To keep your lights on requires
good financial planning. Stop spending for luxury items and
events when you cannot afford it. Make a list of all monthly
expenses and set the right priorities. Stick to the plan. This
approach will reduce your stress level and help you meet your
bills.
Barrington
Brennen is a counseling psychologist, marriage and family
therapist and board certified clinical psychotherapist in the
USA. Send your questions to
question@soencouragment.org or call 242-327-1980 or visit
www.soencouragement.org
