Monday, January 7, 2019

Being Content with What You Have

The majority of the time I am content with my life and don't usually want for anything. I'm normally a happy person and it shows in my interactions with others. 

We may not drive a fancy car or have the latest technology, but that doesn't bother me. I am content with what I have. 

Some days when I think about the things we want or need I often realize how fortunate we are to have what we already have. Some people have so much less than we do and would consider what we have to be a blessing. 

Some people have more than we do, like my sister. But you know what? I'm happy for her because I know she doesn't have to struggle for money. That gives me peace inside because I don't have to worry about her. I know her and her family are doing well. 

I have an uncle who struggles with alcoholism and homelessness. That is a lifestyle he has chosen. Yes, we worry about him but we can't live his life for him. He has to want to make some serious changes in his life.

My elderly grandmother told my Dad one time that she wished she had enough money to help her children when they had financial struggles. She worried and prayed for her children her whole life. So you can see that it is indeed a blessing when we have family that we don't have to worry about in that way. 

Some people struggle financially because they make poor choices. Spending money on things we want instead of making sure we have what we need is a recipe for financial struggles. 

The first thing I do when I get paid is pay all of my bills including insurance in case we lose something. A large percentage of my bill money goes to Insurance. This gives me peace of mind and helps me sleep at night, which is one of the reasons I feel content. 

You can adjust your wants and desires to fit your lifestyle. I enjoy staying home and enjoying what we have here. I do enjoy eating out, but I also enjoy a simple home cooked meal like a baked potato or beans. 

It doesn't take much to make me content, it's something I've come to appreciate over the years. 

I don't shop much, except for groceries, as I don't need the latest and greatest things I could buy in a store. 

In fact, when we do venture into a mall, about once a year, I often wonder if the people there are putting the things in their bags on a credit card. 

I remember Amy Dacyczyn writing in The Tightwad Gazette that reporters would get bored with their lifestyle of hanging laundry in the attic to dry and instead should film them zooming by McDonalds without stopping for food. 

We are not that prudent that we wouldn't stop at a fast food place if we needed to, but it's a mental attitude that I understand. 

Amy Dacyczyn was content with her life and didn't feel the need to eat food outside her home. Her choices made her the millionaire she is today. 

Just some food for thought on this Monday morning. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section. 


Belinda
~ Living within our Means ~

26 comments:

  1. So true. I am a simple girl and live pretty simply. Nothing wrong with that. In my opinion it costs less, less to clean and less to take care of.
    Choices seems to be what gets most people in trouble. I have had my moments in the past that I made some bad choices - so glad I finally figured it out! Life is much less stressful.
    Good post.

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    1. Than you, Cheryl. I too have had my moments when I made bad choices as well. I guess that's how we figure it all out. :)

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  2. Belinda,
    Once again you have nailed it! Scriptures admonish us to be content with what we have and use the lilies of the field and the sparrows as proof God provides for us and loves us. THANK YOU for your examples of your life and mindset. I've always heard that attitude is everything.
    Blessings on you and yours.

    Pam,
    Knoxville, TN

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    1. THank you so much, Pam. Blessings to you and yours as well. :)

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  3. Belinda,
    And one more comment....... lol......
    Amy Dacyczyn was my great "mentor", too, when I was raising our three children. As a matter of fact, I have every single old original copy of her monthly newsletters....some are highlighted and have comments on them, but they are my treasures:)
    Pam,
    Knoxville

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    1. We are kindred spirits, Pam. I have all of her old newsletters too. I would never part with them. :)

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  4. Life is about choices, and in good 'ole USA, we are permitted to make the most of our choices, some good and some not so good. My TWG books are marked with notes, lists, highlighted areas, gummed stickers and stars, photos, post-it-notes, and book markers.

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    1. I love that, Anna. Dog eared is definitely a good thing :)

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  5. Being content with what you have and being willing to put off major purchases until you have the money for it (and make sure it's something you really want and need!) is one of the best mindsets to have, I think. I'm more than content on staying home, doing crafts, reading my library books, etc. I'm still working on my family to adopt this attitude! ;)

    Amy Dacyzczyn was also my introduction to frugality. I heard about The Complete Tightwad Gazette when I was 19, got it from the library, and enjoyed it so much that I bought my own (used!) copy. I still use that book several times a week and reread it every now and then for a frugal kick in the pants. It taught me so much about how to get into the mindset of frugality, doing things yourself, and questioning every purchase. There's no better book out there on frugality, as far as I'm concerned.

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    1. I agree, Stephanie. The Tightwad Gazette is the best of all the frugal books out there. Some people think it is extreme, but it's what worked for me. :)

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  6. We have way more than enough, & I feel blessed. As I've gotten older, I've realized that the extra money is not important, unless we are devoting it to helping others, planning for our own retirement, saving for kids college, or spending on our priorities (experiences, etc). It has helped us focus so that we don't spend like others in our peer group. People are so shocked when they hear that we meal plan, don't eat out much, don't buy designer clothes, etc. But, those aren't my priorities. My priorities are security & happiness for my immediate & extended family.

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    1. That's a wonderful way to look at it. I don't want to be the people who cannot pay their bills when they get older, so saving for retirement is top priority for me while I am still working. Not spending like your peers is good!

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  7. I have all the Tightwad Gazette Newsletters too! A friend was moving and going to throw them out years ago. They were all in a binder. I rescued them when she didn't want them. I also have all the books and pick up extras at thrift stores for cheap to give away to people. I need to re read them again this year. Always an eye opener! She may be extreme to some people but I consider her someone to look up to and live up to! Take care.

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    1. OMG, I do the same thing, Crystal. I have a TWG #2 right now that I picked up inexpensively to give to someone. I just can't pass them up. I want to pass that knowledge on to others. Lucky you to have gotten them from your friend for free. :)

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  8. I love Amy and read her religiously years ago. I am sure she s why I even made it through many of the years that are kids were growing up and in college.

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    1. Kindred spirits, Kim. I love how many of us love her.

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  9. What a great subject to post about. You are so right that finding true contentment in the things we do have and being thankful for our lives as they are is so important.
    Thanks for this post, Belinda
    I love Amy D!!

    Debra

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    1. Your welcome, Debra. I love her too. She changed my life.

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  10. Good message for today, & every day!

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  11. A great post Belinda.
    I too am content of my life most of the time. There are moments here and there that I wish I earned a bit more ( I visit my mom every year and that trip is not cheap :) ), but each time I realize how lucky I am. A loving family, good health, a career I love and I don't need material stuff to make me happy.

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    1. Thank you, Nil. You have such a great attitude. I love that. :)

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  12. The older I get the more I am content with my lot....
    Our home was newly built, but thirty years ago, we seem to be spending money on repairing these days, rather than upgrading. I could happily live my days away living in a century old log house, with drafty doors and windows, but my husband likes his comfort :)
    I stopped impulse shopping years ago, how much 'stuff' does a person need anyhow ?
    Like you, I can lay my head down at night, knowing my bills are paid, and we can help our daughter and grandchildren plod through life when unexpected needs arise.
    My grandma owned her own bakery, and taught me the value of money, at a very early stage in my life, I'm grateful for that lesson everyday.
    Love this post !
    ~Jo

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    1. Thank you, Jo. Our home was built in 1986, so almost the same age as yours. I know what you mean about repairing these days. We've done a lot of repairs in the last few years. How net that your gmom owned her own bakery. I loved reading your comment too. THank you. :)

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  13. Contentment is a strange thing. I love that when I go to bed at night fear of bills and debt and things don't cross my mind. It makes for a much more peaceful and happy life.

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