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I love the stability that comes with having a full-time job. While I've definitely reaped the benefits of unemployment--4 times in 10 years--I'm hardly enamored by the prospect of sitting around and doing absolutely nothing. I heard all kids of stories about unemployment: it was a blessing, vacation, or even a war cry to the dormant, creative self. Whatever it is and means to others, I just don't like it. Keep your $405 a week, New York State.

Having just gotten married, and expecting a child in just a couple of months, money has become this frightening thing I know I can no longer be without. What scares me most is that I, along with Haley, am going to have to unlearn decades of poor spending habits. Much of my "brokeassness" is rooted in a compulsion to eat out all of the time: Who can resist the urge to forego a sweltering session in the kitchen when modestly compensated individuals will do the grunt work for you, all for a nominal fee? And this is why I have no money.

No excuses once the baby comes. Unless we want to invite the wrath of Child Service, we'll not be spending my entire paycheck on wasteful and frivolous things. God, who is writing this blog? Today me should send a memo to 2002 me and get that dude to put away some money.

Speaking of the baby, I find it quite amazing that Gerber Insurance's relentless mail campaign to enroll my child in their fabulous plan might actually come in useful. As a soon-to-be-expecting coworker told me last week, "There's no way that I ever thought at 30 that I would have a child at 40." I've got him beat by about 10 years on that sentiment. I am, however, quickly moving past the "shock and awe" phase of the pregnancy. To dwell any further on what "might have been" if "only I did this" serves to do nothing more than cheapen what has been an incredible journey of growth. I'll take the sleepless nights, dirty diapers, tears, colic, and health insurance with zero reservations.