All About the Benjamin$

Don't get me wrong, I know I shouldn't feel this way, but I'm pissed. Let me rewind... My younger brother, the very one I just visited in Florida, recently lost his job. He was given a huge severance package from what I understand. He hasn't been looking for work, so I figure he's handling his business correctly. He has two kids a wife, a nice house, two cars. He knows what he has to do. Monday I find out that he's behind on his rent and needs money ASAP or he will be evicted. I couldn't believe it. I was just there last month. He never mentioned anything. Prior to my visit, he bought furniture, a huge flat screen TV, and who knows what else. My mom has been after my baby brother and me to put some money together to help him out. Not that I didn't want to, but I have my own bills, my own responsibilities. I couldn't understand where all his money went! Not only is she contributing money, but she reached out to my grandparents (her parents). In addition to being the first grandchild in the family, my grandparents raised me. So you could say out of my siblings and cousins I'm closest to them. They wouldn't hesitate to do anything for me, but when it came to money, they’re a firm believer of you making a way for yourself. Especially if you’re working and have a source of income. They felt you had to have a sense of responsibility and priority. At the age of 25 I was living on my own and ran into some financial trouble. I reached out to my family for assistance. My mother at the time couldn't help. My grandparents could've helped, but chose not to. I was told this would be a 'lesson' for me to learn. Now fast forward years later my brother is in the same situation and everyone is racing to his aid-including my grandparents. Now granted the stakes are higher and there are children involved (I was single at the time with no children), but the issue is the same. In fact to me it's worse. You had $$ in your possession and chose not to pay rent, yet you buy new furniture and a huge ass flat screen TV??? Where is the priority? Where is the sense of urgency? And of the money he owes, he only has about 1/4 of it? What did you do with the rest?? It wouldn't be so bad if this were the first time, or the second...(well bad enough), but it’s happened before. They didn't have kids at that time, and fell short on the bills. And if memory serves me correctly, my mom (possibly my grandparents-don't remember) helped them out then too. I just don't comprehend that.
{{breathe}}
Okay I got that out of my system. He's my brother and I love him, but at what point do you say 'Look man take control of your life. You have a family, you need to save your money. You can't have everything you want. You need to make sacrifices.'? I’ll be the first to admit I enjoy shopping and love my electronic gadgets (BlackBerry, iPod, etc.) but I have priorities and know what needs to be handled first.



On another note, Dee Dee and her husband just gave me some good news. If their little one keeps progressing at the incredible rate he is, he'll be home by Thanksgiving! I know they can't wait for that. Everyone is so pleased.