A few weeks ago, my friend Travis guest posted for Money Tune Tuesday with Sick Puppies’s Riptide. In that post he talked about how important it is to know that the decisions you make are the right ones for you–even if those closest to you don’t agree. This is something that I struggle with in my own life, although it is getting easier for me to learn that what’s right for me may not conform to others’ opinions for my life but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong.

Something else that I’m working on learning is that even though something like a new career is scary, that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try. For too long I’ve resided in the comfort of situations and jobs that don’t make me happy. The reason I’ve stayed put for so long due to fear and lack of confidence in myself and my abilities. After all, if I don’t think I’m better than mediocre or that I think I don’t deserve better than mediocre, that’s exactly what I’m going to get. And thus far, that’s exactly what I’ve gotten. But it’s getting to the point that I need to start facing my fears and believing the encouraging words of friends and family.

It’s getting to the point that, to quote today’s Money Tune, maybe it’s time to change.

Changing the course of my entire life is horrifically frightening. It keeps me up at night, makes it hard to concentrate on anything else and oftentimes, I think of anything I can do to avoid making some incredibly difficult choices. Given all of that, it’s no secret I’ve been turning to Sick Puppies’s Maybe as a source of comfort and inspiration. While it may just be a song and a video, to me, it’s much more than that.

See why:

Yesterday I read a post by my friend Jessica (aka The Debt Princess) about learning to graciously accept gifts. Jessica discussed, in depth, how difficult it is to accept gifts from people but sometimes, we have to swallow our pride and accept that others do nice things for us (and our kids). I related to that post a lot because I massively struggle with accepting favors and gifts. I always feel that there’s an expectation attached to the nice gesture because I can’t believe that people want to do nice things for me. I mean, why? What do they want from me in return? And what if I can’t do what they need? Questions like this pepper my mind for days before I say yes or no. Then the anxiety shame spiral begins and I go to the dark place.

There’s a line in today’s Money Tune “I’ll accept with poise, with grace. When they draw my name from the lottery”. Although I’m not really sure how it relates to money, I think this is good advice. It’s definitely something I need to practice (graciously accepting gifts. And compliments. It’s not that I’m rude about it per se. It’s just that I don’t think I deserve them). Because even though I may not believe I deserve something, someone else might. And it’s kind of rude to throw it in their face.

While I know this song isn’t necessarily about money, I really like it. I’m including it because sometimes we need to take a break from all this money talk and focus on something else, even if it’s  only for a few minutes. So sit back and enjoy “Big Casino” by Jimmy Eat World (fun fact: I love this song so much it used to be my ringtone. Then I got a new phone. Now my ringtone is “Audience of One” by Rise Against. So I guess that’s two fun facts for you. Or one fact plus a bonus fact. Which still equals two. Okay. To the music!)

Most people don’t know this but Huey Lewis has been stalking me. I’m not kidding.

Every day for the last month, I have been somewhere (the car, my house, the supermarket) and a Huey Lewis and the News song has come on. Don’t be mistaken. I love me some Huey Lewis and the News but every day for 30 days straight is a bit crazy. I’m pretty sure he’s trying to tell me something. And that something is “share my music!!!”

So I am. For today’s money tune. Because I’m hoping that by hearing this, you’ll be inspired to listen to more. And I will have done right Huey Lewis.

It was hard to pick a Huey Lewis song because they’re all so good. I have a vivid memory attached to  a number of HLATN songs including “Heart and Soul” (the video is awesomely 80s and has Dracula), “Back In Time” and “Power of Love” (what’s up, Back to the Future?), “Hip To Be Square” (yup, I danced to that alone in my room)…the list goes on. But this is a financial site so I tried to find something that was personal finance related. And what do you know? Huey Lewis came through (’cause he’s awesome like that) with “Workin’ For A Livin'”.

So sit back, enjoy Huey Lewis and his rad harmonica, and please tell him to stop stalking me. It’s getting a little creepy.

Like most people, I was saddened last week to hear about the passing of Adam “MCA” Yauch. I was around 8 or 9 years old the first time I heard the Beastie Boys on the radio and “Fight For Your Right” is one of the first videos I remember seeing on MTV (you know, in the 80s. When MTV played music). I was instantly hooked and they’ve been a big part of my musical landscape ever since (although I can’t understand half of what they say).

Seeing a Beastie Boys concert was always on my to-do list and sadly, I never got to cross that off. A few years ago, they were playing locally and we just could not afford to go. The closest I came was seeing a local, now defunct cover band doing a Beastie Boys medley during one of their sets (It. Was. Spectacular). So, let that be a lesson learned: If a band you adore and have grown up listening to is playing a rare concert in your area–GO! Figure out how to pay for it and go. You never know if you’ll get another opportunity.

I have so many vivid memories that relate to a Beastie’s song. Too many to count and I’m sure you wouldn’t be interested in most of them. But I’ll share one with you. During sorority rush, the different sororities were required to put on a skit, complete with a dance (well, my sorority opted for a dance incorporated into the skit). One year, we used “Intergalatic” and it kicked major ass. I can’t hear that song without thinking of that and, while I’m not a huge fan of my sorority, that definitely brings a smile to my face. So, in remembrance of MCA, a fellow New Yorker but one with way more talent than me, I’m sharing “Intergalactic” for today’s money tune.

Thanks for the music.

 

I’ll admit it. I’m not a huge fan of this song. I find it kind of annoying and listening to it more than once a week is not something I care to do. It’s actually a relief when then radio stations I listen to don’t play it. But the other day I was driving to pick my daughter up from school and it came on. For the first time, I actually listened to the words. And you know what? It’s a pretty interesting song.

For those unfamiliar with it (or for those who don’t care to listen), it’s about people who do bad things for money (prostitution, muggings, stealing) but underneath the undesirable acts is a greater purpose. As the song says “I got bills to pay, I got mouths to feed, There ain’t nothing in this world for free”. I like that the song raises ethical dilemmas inside of a sort of catchy tune (sort of like Everlast’s    “What It’s Like”); makes for an interesting aural experience.

What do you think?