Stuck in the Middle

Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for all we have. We have a warm, cozy home in a kind neighborhood, we have plenty to eat, we have a happy little family. We have a great little life.

Honestly and truly, I don't want a big house in an isolated suburb. I am really happy in our life.

BUT, sometimes I wish we had just a little more wiggle room in the budget.

My husband, Rob, works for a supplier to the Big Three (GM, Ford, Chrysler). Enough said? We are frugal because dang- he works hard- but his field is not exactly bursting with job security these days. Five months ago, we were very concerned about the possibility of him being laid off. We sliced "extras" out of our budget. For us, "extras" meant things like (not free) day trips with the kids, eating out, and our YMCA membership.

I HATED giving up our YMCA membership. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I cried at the membership desk as I canceled our membership (THAT was embarrassing). The kind, gentle woman at the counter encouraged me to apply for financial aid. I looked at her and thanked her, but told her I knew we wouldn't qualify- we're middle class. We make too much for help, but we don't make enough to be able to afford things like a YMCA membership easily.

So we cancelled it.

In this past month, Rob and I have noticed that we've been edgy. Tired. Grumpy. Lazy. It's been a tough winter. The lack of an opportunity to exercise has really started to beat us down. We made a decision to find a way to incorporate fitness back into our family's life.

My husband loves the yoga studio up the street, but at $15 a class, we just can't swing it. He put on his thinking cap- then his tool belt- and went to talk to the owner. A few minutes later, he was repairing a door, sealing some drafty areas, making a Home Depot run, AND scoring himself fifteen free classes.

"Hot Damn, Rob!" I said, all impressed, "You just bartered your way back to yoga!"

I was blown away by his cleverness, and figured I'd try the same at the YMCA.

After a talk with the financial aid director, it looks like I might be able to barter myself a discount- by teaching money saving strategies to families at the YMCA Food Pantry. We're keeping our fingers crossed. In the meantime however, she waived the $150 (re)joining fee, and the kids and I are back in action at the YMCA. If the bartering thing doesn't work out- I'll find another way to barter something in another part of the budget- because honestly, I've learned that our health is just too important to neglect.

I guess I had never really considered bartering as a solution for the middle class squeeze- but it looks like it might be a good option.

So let's think about it fellow middlers... what skills and talents do you have that might be worth something to someone? Think hard! You could start saving some money!