For What It's Worth

When I was a kid, I used to hate money.  I remember wishing we could just go back to the barter system.

As an adult, I still hate money, and I wish we could just go back to the barter system.

This week, I did.

As a new business owner, a musician, and a mom of young kids with medical bills, it hit me hard this week: I'm not going to be able to make it through the month of June financially.  My property taxes are just too high this year, and I don't have any savings; all of my income is wrapped up in my hometown restaurant.  I'm faced with either closing down my business and selling my building, or finding another way to pay my taxes.

So I found another way.  The way kid Emily would have wanted.

I bartered my wedding ring for my taxes.  

My husband and I talked it over, and we decided it was the right decision.  It dawned on me this week that life boils down to prioritizing what matters, and using our resources for all that they're worth to achieve what we know is important.  

So what's important to me? Family, friends, music, and this restaurant.  If a ring can be bartered for one of the most important things in my life, then it's worth a lot more than just the money my husband spent on it 5 years ago; it's worth another year of happiness as we pursue our small business dreams.

Reader, if you're facing any tough choices this week, I hope you too are able to be guided by your priorities.  It's not easy, but it's empowering.  I hope you have a wonderful week, and I'll see you next Monday. -Em

 

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