Lately I've been thinking a lot about money and finances and provident living. We've been living on only one income our entire marriage, and sometimes it is hard to feel like we have any extra spending money or wiggle room in our budget. We aren't super tight with what we spend, but we can't go crazy, as we are trying to pay off debts and save for the future. We don't spend much on eating out or entertainment, we try to be conservative in our purchases, and I am always looking for ways to cut back and save more. We don't have a car. We don't own a house. A lot of our furniture is second-hand. The last time I bought myself clothes, I bought them at a thrift store. I use coupons. I use rebate apps on my phone. I shop the sales. We live as simply as we can according to our circumstances.
I find that I tend to have a jealous nature. I look at other people's lives and I think, "Why can't my life be more like theirs?". Why can't I have my own house, or go on vacation, like they do? Why do they get to do all these fun things when I can't afford them? I am constantly comparing my circumstances to others and feeling discontent with the disparity.
This last week, I was reorganizing our food storage and I was suddenly hit with a feeling of contentment. We don't have much, but we have enough to have a little extra. We may not be able to spend a lot on entertainment or fancy restaurants, but we have food to feed us each day. We may not own our own house, but we have a comfortable, albeit small, home.
Along with my contentment, I felt gratitude. I am very grateful that Keith has a job and that it pays enough that we can survive on one income. I am grateful for Keith, for going to work every day and for supporting and providing for our family. I am grateful for a mother who taught me gardening, how to coupon, and food preservation. And I am grateful for parents who taught me how to work hard and be responsible for my finances.
Along with my contentment, I felt gratitude. I am very grateful that Keith has a job and that it pays enough that we can survive on one income. I am grateful for Keith, for going to work every day and for supporting and providing for our family. I am grateful for a mother who taught me gardening, how to coupon, and food preservation. And I am grateful for parents who taught me how to work hard and be responsible for my finances.
So, while we still might not have very much, we have what we need, and for now, that is enough.
1 comment:
I love this Jill! I saw this quote from Oprah (of all people) and thought it was great! “Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.”
―Oprah Winfrey
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