Start Up Costs

As Second Son steps boldly where he has never gone before (with his new business venture), he sat down and had a frank discussion with me about the financial aspect of all of this. That old phrase "it takes money to make money" rings very true. Word is out, work is starting to come his way, excellent prospects are on the horizon ... then there is the part where he has to pay the bills before the pay cheques start rolling in. Reality.

Then there is my Oldest who is restarting in life. Certainly, there are financial costs as details of his Old Life must be tended to. But what 'costs' the most, is the emotional aspect. The old phrase 'money can't buy happiness' is fitting. I'm sure he would pay any amount of money to buy back his old life so that he could try again, knowing what he knows now. If only it was that easy.

Personally, I seem to be dealing with maintenance costs. Replacing tires on the car. Getting a new motor for the dryer. Buying eyelashes, finger/toe nails and hair color. Whoa!! Stop the bus. Reality check time.

I thought that of the financial drain of my frivolous girly-girl fetishes of late. I added them up and realized where that money could be better spent. Yikes! What was I thinking?? Time to become real again. In every sense of the word. Good-bye artificial beauty. Hello ... me. Money can't buy beauty ... or youth either.

My Youngest has very few financial demands. His greatest desire is to have more hours in the day. A later bed time. Our evening ritual has become a debate about what is an appropriate bed time for someone his age. I say that it is not negotiable until he finishes this school year. The end. He doesn't understand the term non-negotiable. He continues to barter for more time at the end of each school day. You just can't 'buy' more hours in a day (or a mother who is willing to change the rules at this stage of the school year).

When it comes right down to it, if money can buy what you need ... you are lucky. If you are looking for happiness, love, youth, beauty or time no amount of money will suffice. It all comes from within. The investment starts with you.

So even though he may not realize it, maybe my Middle Son is the lucky one. He has inner drive, perseverance, determination, faith and an excellent work ethic. All he needs is money. Money can't buy the qualities that he has (though he did try to market his soul when he was younger). He's known it all along. What is within, is the most priceless gift of all.