Time to Cut

Michigan’s governor, Rick Snyder has a plan. Under his plan our family will need to reduce our spending next year. Since my husband and I are both public educators it’s a double wammy. My husband’s place of business, Grand Valley State University may benefit from the Governor’s plan to raid the School Aid Fund to provide funding for higher education. My school district, Northview Public Schools, definitely won’t. This plan is a little confusing. Like a big city shell game operator in a short con, Snyder isn’t supporting education, he’s palming the money to hand over to business in the form of tax breaks, and our children are the big losers.

But I don’t mind bringing home less income as long as we can still meet our basic needs and a few wants. Some of the extras will have to go. Paying down the mortgage will take a little longer, which will make the bank happy as they will earn more interest. Our entertainment will lean more toward family dominoes night rather than going to Celebration Cinema. But our middle class life style, like that of many of my students, includes a number of wants which we can curtail without too much pain. Here are a few to consider:

As I meander my way to work through Grand Rapids’ darkened streets on these early spring mornings, I am amused by the “Fahrenheit 451” glow, of big screen tvs in many homes from modest cottages to rambling ranches. In fact, after drooling over the gauntlet of flashing rectangles on our weekly trek through Costco, we finally succumbed last year and now have such a device dominating our basement. Flat Screen TV: $700, Comcast Service: $ 1200, Replacing lost remotes: $15, multiple times

Yesterday, we had a laugh in my computer class. I showed them my cell phone and compared it’s slender width to the towering stack of plastic cards extracted from my wallet. I happily await the day when I can throw out this growing pile of discount, debit and membership cards and just ‘swipe’ my phone. Surprisingly, many of my middle school students own a cell phone.  I splurged on an I-phone for my husband for his birthday last year.  Wish I had one, but the data plan is so expensive. AT&T Family Plan: $850,  Teens’ Ring tones:  a lot of allowance money

Some boys in the cafeteria were sharing their enthusiasm for World of Warcraft played on their X-box. I finally banned that at my home because it was just too much fun for my sixteen year old son: hard to spare the time for homework and old-fashioned face to face time with flesh and blood friends when computer games are on. I do, however, love my Nintendo DSi that I got at Target last summer. I don’t think I could fall asleep without playing solitaire, and I definitely couldn’t wake up without my DSi alarm. We caved and bought the kids a wii for Christmas. I threw my shoulder out boxing with my son. Nintendo DSi: $149, X-box Live Service: $60, Wii: $199, Ibuprofen: $2.85

I’m collecting used pizza boxes for an art project later this term. It will be easy gathering the 80 or so boxes I need. Like lots of hard working families we have a pizza night, burritos at Quedoba’s or a burger from Culver’s about twice a month, usually on Fridays when we’re just too tired to cook or everyone is going a different direction and we need something fast and easy. I usually make a salad to go with it to assuage my guilt. 24 Pizza nights: $500, Art supplies savings for my school: +$100

My two sons are growing their hair long. As a child of the 60’s, I don’t mind. At school, a new style I find adorable sported by some of my African American students is a modified Mohawk. Very sharp looking! Many girls, like my 14 year old daughter, are still wearing their hair long and sleek, but with carefully shaped bangs and layers. I am so overdue for a haircut, but finding the time for an appointment is a challenge! Haircuts for our family: $600,  Roto Rooter to unclog the shower drain: $80

A student shared with me her excitement over the new puppy that will be joining her family in a few days. It was wonderful to see her face shining with the pure joy of this simple pleasure. Our cats keep us warm on these early spring mornings when my DSi photoclock alarm goes off too early and the temperatures are still well below freezing. Basic need or want? I’m not sure about this one. Veterinary care: $200, Cat Food: $150,  Savings on heating bill: ?

Governor Snyder’s plan is now in action: Let the elderly, the unemployed and the public employees cut back. Pink slips were handed out this week in school districts throughout Michigan. My younger colleagues are rethinking summer plans, setting aside personal and educational goals. Everything is on hold. Most will not know if they will be rehired until August.

Our governor wants to rob Peter to pay Paul. Raiding the School Aid Fund will do little to solve the economic problems of a society which enjoys so many ‘simple’ pleasures and, yet, is unwilling to fund basic needs. Thanks to Wall Street and the greed of a few we must now recalibrate our wants and needs. We need to pay for the social services it takes to lead a civilized existence. Among the most important: public safety, services for the poor, and education.

Our middle class family receives a check from the state of Michigan every April. Why are we getting a tax refund? I am able to pay higher taxes to fund the social services that make Michigan a great place to live. I might draw the line at starving the cats, but if I need to cancel cable tv, give up the occasional Starbucks run, actually cook dinner on Friday night…so that my colleagues can receive reasonable unemployment support, so be it. Business might not be happy with this loss of revenue, but Snyder’s tax break will help make up the difference, right? Or, how about another plan? Let’s consider meeting our needs without sleight of hand confidence tricks. How about a fair tax structure with the burden shared equally between business and individuals living above the poverty line. What will you cut when the time comes?