What we had

  We all have our own ideas, conceptions, misconceptions and perceptions of the world. When I was growing up I heard a lot about the people that "had money." I came to understand that meant anyone that had a larger income than my parents, or managed their finances differently. People that had money got the things we didn't have. Well, that is the purpose of money, to get stuff with. The struggle in life is having enough money to get the stuff you want while paying the bills for the stuff you actually need. A part of that was learning to "do without."  That could become a source of pride if handled correctly. It falls into the it's the thought that counts mentality. The thought matters to you, but maybe not so much to the other person, their fault, not yours. 

  As a child growing up in a working class family with three siblings we often had to do without. Thing was, the majority of the time we didn't know that. It was all perfectly normal to us kids until we heard or saw what others had. Fortunately birds of a feather tend to flock together and the other kids we knew where doing without as well. It was only in school that differences could be observed. That is where those misconceptions and perceptions entered the scene. The clothes they wore, what lunch money they had and the latest cool stuff they were allowed to do. If you had money, you followed the latest trends. It's very difficult to be cool if you don't have money. Those kids in the Mickey Mouse club all had money. If you belonged to a club of any kind you probably had money. Well, unless it was 4H, that's for poor people, but still, mostly poor people that own a farm and have animals. I had a dog. He was just a mutt with bum leg that I got for my 5th birthday. Dad later told me he paid two dollars for him. Turned out he was priceless, but I didn't know that then either.

  Christmas and birthdays. Those were the times that those that "had money" became more noticeable. Those kids had elaborate birthday parties and got all the good stuff for Christmas. I remember being invited to a few of those birthday parties. One in particular stood out. This kids' parents took everyone bowling! Now that's having money! Paid for it all, shoe rental, the games, food and drinks. Must have been twelve or so of us there. Afterward we went back to his house where he unwrapped his gifts and showed us what he got. A party like that and gifts, must have money for sure. When we came back to school after Christmas break we would hear all about what everyone got. I was always excited and happy with whatever I got under that tree. Don't get me wrong about that, I was never disappointed.  Yes, I was aware of what those "with money" got but was never jealous of that or bitter in any way. Good for them.

  All of that was before credit cards and all these programs to make purchases over time. Yes, there was Sears and Roebuck, Spiegel and Montgomery Ward. You did have to get approved for credit with those companies and many did just that. I was aware that Santa Claus shopped at Sears. But credit wasn't as free and easy as it is today and many folks didn't want credit either. Many people still felt like if you can't afford to pay for it right now, you really don't need it. Being in debt wasn't a normal thing, it was something to be avoided if at al possible. Today just the opposite is true, how much credit can I obtain. There are even companies promising you a do-over if you go bankrupt. No shame in that game.

  There are always those things, those toys we wanted as children, that are simply too expensive for our parents to provide. I admit nothing springs to mind as far as my childhood goes. I got the bicycle and the tonka trucks! Fact is, I don't remember ever really asking for or wanting anything one thing in particular. I honestly only remember a few items I did receive. Those Tonka trucks top the list. My String Ray spider bicycle is another and the last thing I remember getting for Christmas from my parents. There are other toys that stand out but I don't remember when or how I got those. One thing I never did have was a pedal car. Now those were for the kids that "had money." Dad brought home a pedal tractor once. It had been run over by a car and had a bent axle. He was going to fix it, but never did get around to that. Well, I just did without.

                                                                              

                                          This is from my wife's family Christmas. I figure they "had money."

                                           You had to "have money" to afford a ride like that!