Last night, Lily asked me why don't we have a new car like her friend's mommy does.  (We have two cars - one is 12 years old and the other is 10.)  "Because we don't need a new car sweetpea," I replied.  "We can't afford a new car.  If we buy a new car that will mean no more skating lessons for you, no more gymnastics, no going out to eat and no vacation this year." 

She was shocked and I was surprised at her shock.  It appears that at the tender age of 6, Lily was able to mentally put together the financial equation that if mommy buys a new car there will be a lot less fun in her life.  Good.  I'm glad she gets it.  I wasn't sure she would.

We don't need a new car.  I intend to drive my 97 Toyota Corolla till the wheels fall off....and knowing how reliable Toyotas are that just might never happen.  Yesterday, it started up on a dime as usual despite the freezing temps and that fact that it was buried in snow from the passing plow the night before.  I love that car.

But I digress, the whole car question launched us on a great discussion about money and what we can and can not afford.  I made the topic light but informative and I actually think she got a lot from it. 

So maybe the one good thing that will arise from this whole economic debacle for our children is the lesson to live differently from the past generation.  Lord knows we'll be saddling them with enough deficit to last two lifetimes so we might as well teach them how to live within the confines of 'less is more'.  'Less is more' - the gift that keeps on giving.