The Only Conversation More Vulnerable Than Sex...

Money.

I believe it was Anne Frank who first said something that’s been summarized as: “No one has ever become poor by giving.” I often need reminded of this truth.

E and I currently do not have a ton of excess. We’ve had seasons where our income far exceeds our expenses and that’s just not the case anymore. Disclaimer: we still have more than we need thanks to savings and choosing to always live below our means. But the “extra” fluff in our budget no longer exists. Much of this is our own choice: choosing to live in Los Angeles where the cost of living is quadruple what it would cost us to live in our hometown South Bend, Indiana and E leaving his steady paycheck to embrace doing what he loves full-time as a self-employed starving artist creative.

No one has ever become poor by giving. -Anne Frank

Most people would rather keep their finances secret even more than the reality of their sex life.

Money makes a wonky discussion topic. But, like most everything in this life, it’s not black and white.

Just because someone earns a lot doesn’t mean they are financially savvy. Just because someone lives paycheck to paycheck doesn’t mean they haven’t worked hard. Just because someone chooses to spend their money in ways that differ from you or I doesn’t mean they don’t have their priorities straight. Every individual’s relationship with moolah is unique and complex.

As I hope you already know, the funds brought in here from paying subscribers contributes directly to families in crisis.

Thanks to the generous help from many, we’ve purchased carseats, beds, clothing, carbon monoxide detectors, strollers, and more to families in need. We’ve also provided groceries and gift cards for food and gas. Over $4,000* contributed in the last few months! *This doesn’t include some of the requests I share directly on Instagram where we come together to fulfill a need.

The reality is, I currently have over 11,000 subscribers to my email newsletter, but less than 50 of whom are paying subscribers. If you do the math, it’s no secret that I’m not raking it in over here. ;-) So I respond to as many requests as I can and frequently tap into mine and E’s savings when we come up short to meeting a need.

Two new ones we’ve recently received (through CarePortal) that we’d love to respond to, but need your help with:

Can we provide this family with a fridge? What a gift this would be!

Can we come alongside this mom who is trying to overcome so much right now?

You can help by becoming and/or remaining a paying subscriber, and spreading the word to someone else who is passionate about building longer tables, and/or providing a one time donation through Venmo: Manda-Carpenter. Please put “CarePortal Funds” in the memo if you choose to donate through Venmo so I can easily track every dollar.

My Friday emails aren’t always this heavy — I promise. Rarely do I make a bold request like I am in this one. But after five months of consistency in this space, I need you to know that I’m not relying on the funds generated here for our living expenses. (I’m now earning that elsewhere.) I’m utilizing them fully to build longer tables. WE are building longer tables.

Love,

Manda, E, and Shia

PS. Here is bonus podcast episode #9 (I think…? We’re losing count!)