A Friday vent for you all.
The trouble with money is the more you have of it, the more you want and typically, the less you have of it, the more you need it. Our society seems obsessed with it and it’s not just a recent thing of course, but the older I get, the more I think about it.
I just read this morning that now China’s economy is in trouble, Greece is having all kinds of problems and of course the US has been struggling for years. What brought us to this point? I’m sure everyone has their opinion but if we could just be happy with what we have for just a little while instead of always wanting more, it could certainly help.
But of course then there’s that fine line of if we don’t spend, the economy doesn’t grow, and on and on. I just think of all the people around me that are constantly thinking about their next home or their next car. I don’t think our parents’ generation had this inner desire to keep getting bigger and better. They were just happy to own a home, much less the starter home, then the transitional home, then the five-bedroom with an office and 4,000 square feet, then the retirement home at the beach. My grandparents and parents built one home in their lives and are still living there today.
I’ll admit, I get caught up in it at times, then something in life reminds me to step back and look at the bigger picture. I went through a period in my later 20s and earlier 30s wanting everything that everyone around me had, but as I grow older, I realized all I really want is great friends and a healthy family (and, yeah, a new pair of shoes every once in a while is still kinda nice).
We tore up all credit cards three years ago and have been living debt-free every since. It’s not always easy to save up to buy new things like carpet and furniture, but that immediate gratification expectation no longer exists and I appreciate things much more when I have to pay for them with my savings.
The mess that is going on in Washington with the whole debt ceiling scares me too. I certainly don’t claim to understand the whole issue, but dang if the US credit rating is in trouble, then should I really be worried about mine? I really won’t mind an additional one or two percent tax if it means our future generations and elderly are taken care of. Forget the principle of it all – whether Washington is making the right choices or spending on the right things, someone’s just gotta suck it up and let’s get on with things.
Anyone else out there have something to say? Lemme have it.
Well said, Wendy. I think we all need to be reminded that what we have will never be enough, unless what we have IS enough. Have a great weekend:)
ReplyDeleteGreat post to remember what's important! We're living on 1 salary currently and it makes us appreciate what we have that much more.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. I have lived without credit cards for years now. And, it makes for a very stress free life.
ReplyDeletepreach.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Wendy. However, your parent's generation, of which I am part, did also "build bigger barns." Unlimited credit availability has been our economic demise. I remember when they first sent the cards out with immediate credit available. No application needed; the money was right in your hand. That's how Satan works in his effort to destroy and what a mess it is. Congratulations on being debt free!!!
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