MONEY.....will be the death of me

Is there ever enough money? I am sitting here balancing both checking accounts and realizing that the more we make the more we spend. The worst part is - we are spending this hard earned money on STUPID stuff. Stuff that doesn't really matter. Stuff that we could do without but yet we are not able to put it down and say no. Everything adds up. Everything including the morning stops at QT to get a coffee, the extra pieces of candy or drinks when we stop to get gas and the kids are begging for a snack, the extra fundraisers that pass by my desk at work (how can I say no to the parent of a fundraiser b/c I have been there and done that many times over), the eating out a couple of times a week instead of eating at home for the sake of "saving time" and last but not least the extra fun "activities" we do to show our kids we love them by taking them to the movies ($36.00 for the tickets, $20 more at the concession so in essence $50 later) or going to the skating rink for a family night and it ends up costing me $130 because I can't say no to my precious daughter because she is begging me for in-line skates....geesh... WHEN DOES IT END?

Obviously, after reading what I just wrote - I am the problem. I, obviously, cannot say no to anything. My parents said no all of the time...so why can't I? My parents said no because they just didn't have the money to buy anything. I cannot say no to my kids - is it because I can say yes because I think I have the money? I don't know...Money drives me nuts. Always striving to make more and more and more...but where does it get you in the end? Still with a balance in your checking accounts still wishing you had more....

Lots going on....

What a year this is going to be. This is the year of marriages and births. Both of my brother's are going to have babies this year in April. I have friends getting married in May and October. Both Dave and I have cousins getting married in May and July. Whew... when it rains it pours!

So with all of these babies and weddings comes the showers. Oh yeah and I forgot to mention that one of the weddings will probably cost me around $500 to $600 becuase I am a Bridesmaid, Gabby is a Junior Bridesmaid and Dawson will be the Ring Bearer.

With all of this going on in our lives, I want to go on vacation this year, too. We (the family) haven't been on a vacation since 2007 when we went to Gulf Shores. We did go to Branson in 2008 but my grandma June had died the week before and it realy wasn't that much fun. Actually, I really hate Branson now b/c it really sucked and we spent a lot of money for nothing.

I really want to go to Florida this year, but I am not sure if that will be possible this year. Any suggestions on places to go with the family that won't break the bank? I was looking into Destin, FL. It is so pretty. I thought about driving and taking a little over a week. Maybe staying in a condo near the beach with a full kitchen. That would cut down on some of the expense if we can buy groceries and cook.

I don't know...does anyone else know of some great places?? Beach preferred.
Thanks!