It Doesn't Compute

We are in the midst of filling out financial aid packets and preparing to apply to colleges.  My oldest has already completed one set of applications and is working on the next.  Fortunately she has a really nice and really helpful college and career counselor at her high school that is very good at her job and very much interested in helping my daughter with the whole process.  This takes a big load off of me, especially as she knows a whole lot more about this process than I do.  It has been a long time since I had to do this myself and a lot has changed.

The other day my daughter came home and asked me if we qualify for food stamps.   Huh?

I told her no. We don't.  She went on to tell me that her college counselor says that she thinks we do.  I explained to her that, actually we do not.  Although a family of three can make up to a certain amount and still be eligible, we are not.  She went on to ask about free or reduced school lunches too.  No, we do not qualify for that either.

The issue is simply this.  I make about $300 a month over the threshold, I own too many assets and I have too much money in savings.  She said she told her counselor all of this and even bragged about the fact that I only spend about $150 a month on groceries and we live in a really nice home.  Her counselor told her "it doesn't compute".  Not the first time I've heard something along these lines.  Most recently in a conversation with a friend of mine who works as a mortgage lender.  Apparently it boggles his mind too.

The truth is, I don't make a lot of money.  More than some and a lot less than most.  We are a single income family of three and by the government's standards are considered to be low income.  Yet, to the outside world, we live more like a middle income family.

But not like most middle income families because I'm not rolling in debt.  I don't have a huge mortgage, a huge home, huge monthly expenses, nor do I rely on a second wage earner to make ends meet.  I have a savings account with money in it and four retirement accounts.  I also have a retirement date.  I'm better off financially than most and because of that it is hard for a lot of people to understand how it is even possible based on my annual salary alone.

After the discussion concluded between my daughter and the college counselor this lovely woman told my daughter that I really needed  to teach a class about how I do things.  My daughter's response was to tell her about my blog and suggest she check it out.  She made me so proud.  😊

I have always maintained it isn't just about how much money you make.  It is all about what you do with it.  The choices and decisions we make with that money are truly what matters.

Mind your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves

So at the end of the day....  it does compute.  It really computes just fine.