Podcast Episode 4: TALES FROM THE TIP JAR

navigating financial challenges

Navigating Financial Struggles

In Episode 4 of So, Mom…, Adele and I take a heartfelt look at the financial challenges we faced during a time when every dollar was critical. From my days as a waitress at Lonnie’s Diner to Adele’s experiences navigating an affluent private school on tuition remission, we explore how navigating financial struggles shaped our resilience, family bonds, and outlook on privilege.

Summary of Episode 4

After graduating from the University of Rhode Island during a recession, I scrambled to make ends meet. With no experience, I took a job at Lonnie’s Diner. It was a tiny, silver trailer of a restaurant with shabby booths and a lingering smell of smoke. Working four days a week in such conditions was tough, but tips became our lifeline.

“I dreaded serving pancakes with whipped cream because it stayed all over my uniform,” I recall, laughing about the ketchup-stained chaos of those shifts.

Despite the difficulties, the diner offered lessons in resilience and community. I got to know my coworkers—some juggling grueling schedules and others facing long-term poverty without the safety net I had.

One memorable story from that time was my unexpected gamble on a Jai Alai game. After a customer tipped me with a hot betting tip, I rallied Lonnie, his wife, and the cook to pool our money for a bet.

“I paid rent with my winnings from a Jai Alai bet—and that says a lot about where we were financially at the time,” I admit with a chuckle.

While the first bet was a loss, the second hit big. That gamble helped us stay afloat during a particularly tough month, illustrating just how precarious our situation was.

“I paid rent with my winnings from a Jai Alai bet—and that says a lot about where we were financially at the time ”

When I transitioned into teaching at a prestigious private school, our world shifted. Adele attended on tuition remission, which opened doors but also highlighted stark contrasts.

“The student parking lot was full of brand-new cars—Mercedes, BMWs—while we drove our old blue Camry,” Adele shares. “There was this constant reckoning that we couldn’t do what others could.”

I remember similar moments of disparity, like field trips and extracurricular activities that carried hefty price tags. Balancing those realities while ensuring Adele and her brothers felt included was a challenge, one that required creativity and grit.

Through it all, I was keenly aware of the privilege I had compared to others. “I always knew that if everything fell apart, I could call my parents,” I reflect. “That was the difference. I had a safety net; so many others didn’t.”

This realization deepened my empathy and shaped how I viewed privilege. Years later, as a school leader, I worked to support students from all backgrounds, writing letters of recommendation for those who needed it most and learning from their resilience.

Ultimately, a call from my mother offered us a lifeline: “Why don’t you and the children come back home?” While it felt like a step backward, I reframed it as an opportunity. Moving back to Pennsylvania allowed us to rebuild, offering Adele and her brothers a chance to spend cherished years with their grandparents while I pursued my career in education.

“I realized I had to pivot,” I share. “I had to move away from being solely a mother and claim my professional identity.”

Subscribe To The Podcast

Tales from the Tip Jar is a reflection on how financial struggles shape us, offering lessons in resilience, gratitude, and privilege. It’s a reminder that even in the hardest times, there’s an opportunity for growth and connection. Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to Apple Podcast or Spotify now. Episodes for Season 1 drop every other Tuesday.

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Writer, educator and podcaster with a mission to illuminate the journey of parenting with wisdom, empathy, humor, and educational expertise.

Follow her on social media: @priscillagsands


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