I was miserable from the very first day at our new residence. We knew nobody. The neighbors who did move in, were not people who we shared the same values as us. I had problems with the schools and the staff did not seem to care. I missed my family, terribly. I would cry myself to sleep every night, because I was so homesick. One day, my sister in law sent me a Biblical devotion page in the mail. The story talked about contentment. I called to thank her, still unsure why she had sent it to me. She told me that in life, there will be times that our situations are not idealistic, but we have no power to immediately change things outside of our own perspective. She lovingly told me to suck it up and make the best of my situation, for the good of my family. I took her advice and tried to focus on the positive aspects of our new life. It is a good thing that I took her advice, because the housing market crashed and we would have never had the chance to move back anyway.

I see so many people who practice the “Bigger, Better, More” theory and cheat themselves out of contentment. Like me, they are so busy looking at what they are missing out on, that they fail to see what they already have and how wonderful it is. If only they would focus on their blessings instead of  the lack of having all that their hearts desire, life might be a little more rose colored. As the great musician, Sheryl Crow, says, “It’s not having what you want. It’s wanting what you’ve got.” I’m not implying that I never have to struggle with wanting more or better. I certainly do, at times. It is human nature. However, I do not let the lack of such, make my life miserable. Life is too short to spend it looking around for the pot of gold, when your own pot is overflowing with blessings of many different colors!

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Why does she need another job?  Her husband has a good job and has been employed at the same company for years.  She has been at the same well paying job for probably 15 years or more.  They have a nice house, but they have owned it for a while so their payments shouldn’t be much, probably even less than mine.

And so I wonder how does a family of four in which the parents have two really good paying jobs need more money?  I think that most of the answer lies within contentment. Why do we have to have the nicest clothes and a new car every few years?  Why are we not content with buying a car a few years old?  No, we have to have the car that has the fold down seats and other special features so we pay another $20,000 for it.  $20,000?!?!!!  That just seems insane.  Twenty thousand dollars for a few luxuries. 

Or how about the man or woman that looks for fulfullment beyond their own marriage because their spouse doesn’t give them enough attention.  There are days when my husband gets on my nerves and I know there are days when I get on his, but we have to be content with one another and know (and pray!) that the bad days will pass.  It would be really hard to find someone else that would love me and my kids the way that he does, provide for our family, come home every night, and love God. 

It seems that some people will always be living up to the extent of their means no matter how much money they make.  If we make $20,000 a year, then we’ll have $16,000 a year in bills.  If we make $60,000 a year, then we’ll have $35,000 a year in bills and spend the other on having a good time.

I rack my brain trying to figure out the reason behind all this madness.  When it’s all said and done, what do we have to show for our money?  Why are we spending $20,000 on depreciation of a vehicle?  Why aren’t we putting the $20,000 in an IRA, mutual fund, or college fund for our children?

The average American spends more money than they make.  When will this stop?  It is going to catch up with us at some time or another; possibly when it comes down to robbing Peter to pay Paul, as the saying goes.  Do you have to get a cash advance on your Visa to pay your car payment?

I know someone that will only buy his clothes at Hollister or Abercrombie & Fitch.  This same person compliments my husband on his clothes and my husband tells him that they came from Wal-Mart or Target.  My husband told this guy that he should take his $75 that he was going to use to buy shorts and Hollister and spend it at Wal-Mart getting 6 pairs of shorts.  The guy said, “No way.  I’m not buying my shorts from Wal-Mart.”  Ok, so he liked them, but basically there is a pride issue there to where he won’t buy his clothes from Wal-Mart.  How many of us are like that with different issues?

Folks, I don’t mean for this to sound preachy because I have been horribly in debt.  Trust me.  It’s not a fun place to be in.  Debt weighs us down and these material possessions will only last for a time.  Soon the debt will catch up with us.

Materialism is a barrier to contentment.  Whether or not you’re a believer, the Bible has some good things to say about contentment.  I think we all could benefit from them.

Be content with what you have.  Hebrews 13:5

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.   Philippians 4:11-13

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I know what it is like to be in debt.  I have felt it’s choking hold.  It is no fun.  Debt keeps you from doing the things that you want to do and that you are called to do.  Debt makes you worry what is going to happen to your family if you were to be unemployed for a week or two.  Like I said, I have been there, so I can relate.  Taking the Financial Peace classes that I have mentioned before has really helped our family.  We are making positive steps now. 

I’m not saying that every 2 income family with money problems isn’t content.  I know that some people have medical bills and other circumstances that have prohibited them from succeding.  The issue here is contentment, which is a lifestyle, and not one that is full of pride and covetousness.

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy