The journey begins

[awest1217]

The thing is that you really are going to have to change the girl's mindset. You are not poor by any means, but they have been somewhat spoiled through most of their lives. The girls can live a perfectly pleasant life without doing all the things they are accustomed to doing. The key is to make the mundane fun.

I lived a life with 5 kids and we never went to summer camps or anything else. Now my mom stayed at home, but we always were outside. We only got to go out to eat once a month, otherwise we were at home. My SIL lived a poor life (no food in the house most days because her mom or dad depending on who was living with the girls drank all the money), but she remembers her childhood fondly. She was home alone a lot with her sister, but they played outside and did a lot of stuff for no money.

I am just saying all of this because you really do need to help the girls realize that yes you may have less money, but you are by no means poor. Also they need to realize now that happiness does not rely on money. They need to learn to have fun doing simple things that don't cost money but give bring you good memories.