Stuff - I am sure we all have too much. I know I do. I work regularly getting rid of and parring down my things. WHY did I keep this or that? What was the purpose? Why did I buy that? I ask myself these questions on a regular basis.
The stuff we have is money we HAD!
Some people don't understand that spending and spending is not going to make you happy. Many people are just trying to fill a void in their lives and one day they will figure out - it doesn't work.
Last week we had a long time friend come by to visit. We hardly see each other any more. Maybe once or twice a year. She is a bit older than I am - she is 67 and is still working.
Back story: Her husband passed away several years ago (suddenly). She has been receiving his social security and his work retirement. (That is what we live on). She is also working. The house and vehicle were both paid in full when he passed. He was very frugal and worked hard and saved.
After his passing - she remodeled the house (it did need it).
THEN she went on a spending spree! She literally filled an entire room (floor to ceiling) with QVC purchases (which she ended up selling at yard sales for next to nothing).
She buys lotto tickets EVERY day. She goes to casino. She probably owns 50 pairs of tennis shoes of many styles and colors (minimum). She goes and tans every day. She eats out a lot. When she cooks she throws away leftovers. Her groceries are bought at the corner gas/village mart.
As you can see ………….. my head is about to explode!!!!! I think: How did we become so different?
She looks around our home and says "still the same". Yes it is! She asks why I don't I buy new stuff. Don't I want new things. Why do I stay home so much?
I told her there is really nothing I want and there is definitely not anything I need. She laughs and shakes her head.
I say "I am a simple person - you know that". Her comment "you sure are". She seems to think we are weird and a joke.
Now you might see why we don't get together much any more!
I just don't understand the 'I have to have or the I am owed' this or that mentality. She is old enough to know better.
Our big difference is - we have a nest egg and an emergency fund. She has none. Her furnace recently went out and she had to finance a new one. We purchased ours out right.
We have enough to be comfortable and pay our way. We have an emergency fund. Yes, come fall we have additional income when I start collecting S.S. That will go in savings for our future lives or whatever we want to do.
We have enough. When I leave this earth - it won't matter how much stuff I had.
Three weeks ago on the news there was a story of a house fire - it took responders a long tome to get inside because all doors and windows were blocked with piles and piles of stuff. The guy was a hoarder. He died in the house that day. I learned the next day that I went to school with him and had classes with him back in the day. To date there has been no obituary or service for him - no money to do so.
So sad - what good did all that stuff do him? None.
I was recently reading Amish Values for Your Family by Suzanne Woods Fisher and came across a paragraph I though was so true.
"Folks just keep wanting more and more. Bigger houses. Newer cars. Bigger televisions. They get all stressed out with these debts, and they forget what's most important. They could live with a whole lot less stress if they could just cut back and live a little simpler...…..Live in a smaller house. Drive a car until it's broken down for good. I know the kids would sure be better off if Mom and Dad were home, paying attention to them."
The love of money and stuff.
What is everyone trying to prove? And to who?
Me - I am a simple gal. I don't want for much - just a healthy, happy life. Enough to live out my life and be able to lend a helping hand now and then.
A roof over my head, food for my table, my family (their health) and my Savior. I NEED nothing more.
I think we all need to pay attention and be mindful of money, to make do with what we already have, and outsmart ourselves when big desires kick in and improve on our self control.
Being frugal or thrifty does not mean being cheap. It is all about being a good steward of what we have.
We can still live a good life and be happy and have nice things and do good deeds - but we don't have to struggle with stress and debt.
I discovered years ago that I can cut back without feeling deprived. Actually, today I feel quite the opposite. I feel pretty rich and smart!
I have an abundance of resourcefulness and creativity, and I have peace that wasn't there before.
I now measure my spending against our goals in life - to be able to live our days out with peace and happiness and little stress. That is success in my book!!!!!!!
Take time to re-evaluate your situation. Look at the long road ahead. YES, be prepared with the goods that could save your family (your pantry) - but look at the other things.
** Do you live the simple life as well?
** Do you think you can have enough?
** Can your creative mind overcome your desire to buy new things?
** Can you be happy and content with less?
DON'T LET YOUR LOVE OF MONEY AND STUFF TAKE OVER YOUR LIFE.
LIVE AND BE HAPPY WITH LESS!!!!!!!
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