GRRRR...I've got a rant....

First let me start by stating my situation so nobody thinks I'm flying off about something I know nothing about.

I'm a single-mom. No child support, no welfare, no boyfriend paying my bills for me. Just me alone. At the moment I'm a full-time student and getting unemployment compensation. I'm considered at more 100% below the poverty level by the state of Michigan. (I don't know what they determine as poverty, but whatever, I make it by the skin of my teeth every month.) I'm very busy. I have things to do everyday, all day just like anyone else.

Everyday I hear someone whining about how hard it is to eat healthy. I'm not specifically talking about anyone on here. Its someone in my family, a friend, a comment online, a parent at my kids school, blah, blah, blah. I hear all of these excuses and people like to tell me how my life would be easier if I shopped at Wal-mart or they say I'm too into health.

Meanwhile, these people tend to have constant sickness. The kids always have runny noses and hacking coughs. The complainers are obese, scarfing down a Big Mac and diet soda while they complain that they can't lose weight. They tell me they have to have all those cable channels so they can keep up with all their shows. Nobody will go out with my daughter and I because they can't "afford" to go out. Nobody wants to eat at my house because they assume that my healthy foods are flavorless. I hear non-stop complaining about how hard it is to lose weight because someone can't give up their favorite foods.

I used to think, well it is a hard transition to make. But lately, I feel like just screaming! OMG, get off the dang couch and take a walk with your kids! Manwich is NOT a full serving of veggies just cuz the can says so! You can actually get a full serving of veggies for cheaper than the can of stupid manwich! Your life will go on even with out the stupid reality shows about people's lives who aren't actually real! Take a few moments to budget your 2 incomes and make it work for you! Don't freakin' whine to me, you have more than I do and I DO NOT have any sympathy for you!

I get by on less than $200 a month for food. I can buy a weeks worth of groceries for $30! None of that is tv dinners or canned entrees and I don't have to shop at Wal-mart! I choose healthy food over cable, designer purses, and a gym membership that I never use. I don't rely on a drive-thru. I hold myself accountable for my mistakes. I don't deny myself of anything. I budget my money. I clip cupons and I'm not ashamed to use them. I cook my own food. I educate myself on what is in my food and I focus on my well-being. Dance and Karate classes are expensive, but it keeps my kid from plopping down with a bag of cheetos in front of the TV, so its worth every penny. Again, I budget my money to make it work FOR me.

Everything I do involves work, determination, and a touch of common sense. I have problems, I indulge in junk, I fall off the wagon, I have lazy days, I even have health problems, and I'm far from perfect. But I refuse to believe that living a healthy life is so costly. If I can manage this type of lifestyle, then I find it very hard to believe that a 2 income family cannot.

It is not my intention to judge anyone. I'm just so tired of the excuses and complaining and judgements aimed at me! (OR US!) I guess I'm realizing that I need to seriously consider changing my surroundings. I have to just end conversations when they take on this direction because it always end up with someone thinking I'm preaching. If someone says "its too expensive" and I say, I do it pretty cheap, that tends to set someone off. I NEVER start to topic. I avoid it like the plague! People seem to want to bring it up and insult my lifestyle then get defensive when I politely defend myself. Its not my fault anyone else is miserable.

Thanks for listening.
Holly