"My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income." - Errol Flynn

Let’s face it, most of our club members are children of the 80s. OK, we have a few kids from the 70s (self included), but for the most part, we’re a group of folks that have experienced all life’s offerings in the last 30 years! So let’s take a look back, shall we?

In 1980 a new house cost $68,714.00, the average income per year was $19,170.00, a gallon of gas was $1.19, the average cost of new car was $7,210.00 and milk was 85 cents for 1/2 gallon. Best of all, you could get a hands free car phone for only $788 – note, that’s just the phone, not the “service”! (http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1980s.html)

So, what’s the value of the buck these days? I’ve always been a thrifty shopper and likened the experience of buying my first car to a root canal, but generally I can say I’ve been fairly happy with the money I’ve earned, saved and ultimately spent on mostly fun things, minus a car accident here or a roof leak there. But with 2010 in full swing (um - where did January go?), I am once again being pegged to “renew” things - my car registration, dog registration, homeowner’s dues, alumni dues, automatic bill payments, and, yes, Kiwanis Uptown dues are all up for renewal this month. Did I mention I’m still paying off Christmas bills, trying to make upgrades on my house, and oh yeah, have 4 “destination” weddings this year, with the pleasure of being a bridesmaid in at least one of them (read: $250 for a dress I’ll never wear again). What’s a gal to do?

And then I heard the deep voice of fatherly wisdom – perhaps my dad, perhaps Al Bundy or Bill Cosby – regardless, James Frick said it best, "Don't tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I'll tell you what they are." So, let’s see, according to my last Visa bill, my priorities are Banana Republic, Zappos.com, Target/WalMart and a host of other bars/restaurants in Charlotte. Ugh, am I that shallow?

And then I remembered – I paid my Kiwanis Uptown dues by check, not on my Visa. My Facebook status updates and pictures from 2009 will tell you my priorities were very different – spent with family, friends and Kiwanis Uptowners doing great things for the Charlotte community with Byers Elementary, The Boys and Girls Club,


Key Leader,


and Trips for Kids,


and also raising $3K for Ace and TJ's Grin Kids at our Southern Summer event.


Hooray! I am not shallow! Time to get out my checkbook and make Kiwanis Uptown a priority by paying my $120 annual dues for 2010. And before you say “I don’t have $120” or “I can’t afford $120” for your own Kiwanis Uptown dues this year, think about it.

Annual dues boil down to $10 a month. I buy two (OK, maybe more than two) cocktails a month at an Uptown bar. I have at least one, if not more, Grande Skinny Vanilla Lattes a month. I enjoy dinners out, movie nights, new clothes, and other random adventures and I bet you do too. So, "don't tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I'll tell you what they are."

Here's hoping you’ll join me by making Kiwanis Uptown one of the things you “renew” in 2010, not just as a dues paying member, but also as someone who makes doing great things for the Charlotte community a priority!

Cheers!