Why We Still Have Plywood Countertops (and What It Taught Me About Money, Marriage, and Midlife)
- Barbara Stratte
- Oct 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 8
Because sometimes the richest lessons come from the seasons when nothing feels polished — not even your kitchen.
People often ask us, “Why do you still have plywood countertops? Why not just buy new ones?”
Well… because countertops aren’t in the budget right now. So, we’ve got plywood. Sanded, sealed, and brushed with a few coats of hope — and a lot of urethane. Still plywood, though.
And you know what? It works.It’s not fancy, but it’s real. It’s us. It holds coffee mugs and casserole dishes and the elbows of a dozen teenagers after practice. It doesn’t stop me from hosting, from feeding people, from filling this house with laughter.
Because the truth is, we’re in one of those seasons where the numbers don’t quite add up — where you’re juggling sports fees, braces, college savings, and life — and something has to give. Right now, it’s the countertops.
And if you’ve ever been there, you know what I mean.You know that quiet relief that comes when you finally give yourself permission to stop chasing perfect — and just live, right where you are.
Recently on the podcast, we talked about something that makes people squirm more than intimacy — and that’s money.
Even saying the word can make people uncomfortable.Money holds so many of our stories — the fears, the guilt, the old lessons from childhood that still echo in our adult lives. “People with money are greedy.” “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” “We can’t afford that.”
And yet, it’s not really about the dollars — it’s about our relationship with them.
Our friend Dan once told us something that stuck. Bryan was talking about how he always feels like we’re skating on thin ice financially. He asked, “Well, have you ever fallen through?”
Bryan said no.
He smiled and said, “Then maybe the ice isn’t as thin as you think.”
It hit us hard. So much of our fear around money is perceived.It’s the story we tell ourselves about what “enough” looks like.
Money touches everything — our marriage, our stress, our sense of safety. But what if we looked at it differently?
What if, instead of treating money like a monster to manage, we saw it as a guest at the door?
If “Money” knocked on your door today — a personified version of it — how would you greet it? Would you hide behind the couch, nervous or ashamed? Or would you open the door and say, “Hey, welcome in. I’m glad you’re here.”
That little exercise changed everything for me.
Because how you treat “money” in your mind says a lot about how you allow it to show up in your life.
Here’s what I’ve learned (and keep relearning):
Your money mindset is your foundation.
Until you believe you’re worthy of wealth — not because you earned it, but because you’re enough — you’ll keep pushing it away.
Self-worth and net worth are connected.
When you undervalue your time, your energy, or your gifts, you tell the world you’re not ready to receive more. Confidence in your value leads to confidence in your earning.
Master the basics, then multiply.
Budget. Save. Invest. Repeat. The magic is in the consistency, not the windfall.
Find money that aligns with your mission.
When your income flows from something meaningful, it fulfills you in more ways than one. I’ve had jobs that paid well but left me empty — and others that fed my soul and my savings account.
Invest in skills, not just stuff.
Cars break down. Counters chip. But your mind? Your creativity? Your ability to adapt and grow — that’s what compounds.
Today, I choose to greet money with gratitude and excitement — plywood countertops and all. Because wealth isn’t just about what’s in the bank. It’s about ease. It’s about the confidence to stop worrying, the generosity to give, and the grace to laugh when life feels a little “unfinished.”
Sometimes, the richest life is the one that’s still under construction.
Here’s a link to the full Middle Age Management episode
If you’re in that messy middle — raising kids, helping your parents, managing bills, and wondering if you’ll ever feel “ahead” — you’re not alone.
I’m here to walk alongside you. Whether you’re just beginning to notice changes or you’re already in the thick of hard decisions, there’s support for every stage of the journey.
Here’s how I can help:
✨ 1-on-1 Guidance Sessions + Care ChatsAt TheSandwichedGen.com, we’ll talk it through, create a clear plan, and take weight off your shoulders.
📘 My eBook: When Roles ReverseYour step-by-step roadmap for caring for aging parents with less stress and more confidence. Inside, you’ll learn how to:
Recognize when and how to step in
Start the tough conversations (without constant conflict)
Balance independence with safety
Avoid the chaos of last-minute decisions
👉 Grab your copy here.
📲 Follow along on Instagram @BarbaraStratteI share daily encouragement, practical tools, and the kind of real-life truths you won’t find in a medical pamphlet.
Big Hugs and the world is better because you are in it,
Barbara
Because this path is heavy—but it feels a lot lighter when you don’t walk it alone.
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