When my mom started to write for MSN Money, I started reading personal finance blogs.  I noticed one chronically underrepresented population: Anyone who isn’t middle class.

If you’re unemployed, underemployed, chronically ill or a member of the working poor, you have fewer financial options. Yet you still have the same obligations as everyone else: food, shelter, clothing, medical care, family, retirement.

I’m on disability for chronic health problems that followed a rare neurological disease that nearly killed me. My husband has several ongoing medical conditions that make it hard to compete in an economy where healthy people line up for entry-level jobs. He was laid off shortly before our May 2008 wedding and hasn’t been able to find a job since.

We’ve never been destitute, but we could wind up that way at any time but things are tight.

That’s why I started this blog: To give a voice to people like us. As my blog evolved, I realized there was something else missing from most of the PF blogosphere:  the notion that most of us are not perfect.

Plenty of blogs that tell you how to be perfectly frugal. Few, if any, address the fact that most of us are imperfect. That is, we’re human. My blog is about coping with the reality of our less-than-perfect lives.

Thanks to chronic fatigue and other health issues, my energy is extremely limited. Yet the demands of daily living can’t be put aside. Thus I have to compromise and/or sacrifice.

Any busy person  — healthy or not, rich or not — can understand this. We have a near-infinite number of things we should do (or want to do), but an all-too-finite amount of time and energy.

In short, this blog is about accepting the fact that you’re human. Every day we make mistakes or take shortcuts due to overcommitment, stress, health issues, or simple exhaustion. That’s not a flaw or personal failing. It’s normal. It’s human.

The sooner we can accept this, the sooner we can find peace and balance in our lives.

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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Melinda Pritt February 28, 2010 at 3:55 am

I'm not unemployed, underemployed or chronically ill, but i am a single mother of two teenage boys with sporatic (if at all) child support. I'm also in school full time. I can pinch a nickel til the buffalo poops! and i enjoy finding more ways and tips to save. nice web site, i look forward to following ur blogs

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2 Lovely Las Vegas March 11, 2010 at 2:22 am

Excellent blog and love your philosophy here… Best wishes and keep up the great work.

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3 Carol Schultz-Weil April 14, 2010 at 2:07 am

Melinda, I love your expression about the buffalo. I am told I pinch Lincoln till he squeals. Guess it's a complement?

And, Abagail, I really think you will enjoy the In The Trenches Blog. You are right that there are certain groups under represented and I think right now they are in the millions since the current economic crisis. So, you are definately not alone.

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4 Carol Schultz-Weil April 14, 2010 at 2:07 am

Melinda, I love your expression about the buffalo. I am told I pinch Lincoln till he squeals. Guess it's a complement?

And, Abagail, I really think you will enjoy the In The Trenches Blog. You are right that there are certain groups under represented and I think right now they are in the millions since the current economic crisis. So, you are definately not alone.

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5 Piya April 29, 2010 at 6:16 pm

I am very impressed by your blog. And wish you all the best

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6 Barbara April 30, 2010 at 8:11 pm

Love your attitude, and you really put a smile on my face and a little spirit in my step! I'm so proud to "meet" you. Looking forward to getting to know more!

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7 Christine June 7, 2010 at 7:57 pm

I just found Donna Freedman is your mother! :D
You and your mom have a bunch of strength when it comes to pushing through tough financial times. Keep up the faith and strength, Abigail.

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