Trickle-Down Trepidation

When Does Penny Prudence Become Financial Anxiety?

In this economy, our family is taking a less-is-more approach to money: We're spending less — and talking about it more.

Scarce jobs and bountiful bills have caused a cash crunch and I'm addressing it the way I address most problems: by surrounding it with the sound of my voice. My plan is to squawk and blubber about it until it asphyxiates on the carbon dioxide spewing from my motormouth. So far it hasn't helped.

But while I've been prattling about money — pointing out the high cost of cable TV (was it always this pricey?) and proposing fun new dining-out policies like "I know! Let's all order water!" — I think I freaked out my kid.

"Mom," my 11-year-old asked this week, "are we having money trouble?"

I was rattled by the question. Embarrassed even. Sure, we've "tightened our belts," as Obama likes to say, but no more than any other family. No one's coming for our house or anything. I don't think. Yet.

"You talk about money all the time," he said.

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