I literally just got off the phone with my daughter, who lives, works, and attends university in another country. She may have an opportunity to volunteer at a world-renowned speech language institute, but she's worried about the time it will take away from her job, which is cashier work at a grocery store. 

I reminded her that her Dad and I swore up and down we'd support our kids throughout university so that they didn't have to stress about unpaid internships like this, or try to hold down jobs that take away from school, etc. But the fact remains that things are getting a little tight around here. My youngest will start school this fall, meaning our three kids are in University. Plus I'm in Grad school, so that's four of us all in college, all supported by a few pennies I earn from book sales and tarot readings, but mainly my husband's income.

It. is. tight. It's not quite the reversed four of pentacles, as we're not spending willy-nilly with disregard to our future, but damned if it doesn't feel like it every time those tuition bills come in. 

I used to be a grant writer, so I might try to find work like that again to keep us afloat. My daughter begged me not to, as she doesn't want me to give up my grad school dreams. She's the best. But if she can hold down a grocery store job, and volunteer weekly, and attend full time school, I'm sure I could go back to work, too. I'm going to eat some waffles and check the passport safe to see if there is any money left in there.

Upright, the Four of Pentacles is the money lover, one who clutches at material goods and does not let go. Although this card represents a pleasant chapter of your life where your needs are met, it is also a warning not to be selfish about what you have acquired.

Reversed, it is the exacerbation of the upright meanings. One might be so comfortable that they are reckless with their resources, or they may be extra greedy, hoarding money they don’t need to hoard.
 
Questions answered by the reversed Four of Pentacles:
Who? The big spender
What? An extravagant purchase
Where? At a shopping center
When? The middle of January; When you make a donation
Why? “Hoard food and it rots. Hoard money and you rot. Hoard power and the nation rots.” ~Chuck Palahniuk
Yes or No? No

The reversed Four of Pentacles as:
…an action?

• Make a donation to a charity
• Buy yourself something nice

 
…a place in your house?

• A trophy shelf
• The safe
• The pantry
• A storage unit

…a place in your city?

• The shopping mall
• A brokerage

 
…a place in the world?

• China
• Las Vegas, NV
• Edmonton, Alberta
• London, England

…something to eat?

• An expensive organic restaurant
• Eggo waffles

 
…something to clean?

• Empty out a bank account

 
…where to find the missing item?

• Someone else has it

 
…a color? purple; gold; green
 
…a movie theme? Hoarding; spending too much

• Brewster’s Millions
• The Big Short
• Parasite

 
…a new career?

• Grant writer
• Business reporter
• Foundation or nonprofit work
• Financial executive

 
Four of Pentacles reversed
Before any card: The financial control of (card)
After any card: giving away resources; hoarding

For more on the reversed four of pentacles, check out Applied Tarot Reversed!

The Four of Pentacles is the money lover, one who clutches at material goods and does not let go. The person represented by the four may be opposed to sharing, or perhaps they come from an impoverished background and do not want to lose their sense of security again.

Although this card represents a pleasant chapter of your life where your needs are met, it is also a warning not to be selfish about what you have acquired.
  
Questions answered by Four of Pentacles:
Who? A tightwad 
What? A stash of cash
Where? In a purse, pocket, or wallet
When? The middle of January; When you have earned enough money
Why? You have a firm foundation, so do not fear change
Yes or No? Yes
 
Four of Pentacles
Before any card: Conservation of (card)
After any card: Greed, security, hoarding

The Four of Pentacles as:
...an action?

• Check your credit report and accounts
• Move more into savings

 
...a place in your house?

• Your prized goods
• Your money
• The mattress

...a place in your city?

• A financial services industry
• The stock market
• the bank

 
...a place in the world?

• The coast
• The Ozarks
• Columbia
• The Caribbean

...something to eat?

• Fine dining
• Food that cannot be shared

 
...something to clean?

• Your room

 
...where to find the missing item?

• Near you - possibly in your pocket

 
...a color? grey, yellow
 
...a movie theme? protecting resources

• Wall Street
• Weekend at Bernie’s
• Parasite

 
...a new career?

• Finance, retirement investment, or accounting
• New business development
• Collector
• Environmental conservationist

Four of Pentacles combinations
With The World: Fulfillment and security has been reached, now share with the world what you have received.
With King of Wands: A conservative leader has trouble sharing the wealth, such as a boss who will not issue pay raises.
With Page of Cups: A sensitive and dreamy young person gets a lesson in conserving his or her resources.
With Eight of Swords: Someone is unable to see a path to wealth, but they may be imposing their own restrictions upon themselves.
With Ace of Pentacles: A new job with more benefits and pay is available