It’s not always about coupon clipping, bargain hunting, and sale shopping to get what you want. Sometimes what you don’t have can not only be the key to successful frugal living, but it may even bring more peace and contentment to your family. My husband is a teacher and coach in a tiny Kansas town. There’s a lot we don’t have, and we’re perfectly okay with that.
We don’t have stores in our town.
Not a one. What we do have is a 20-minute drive one way to pick up milk. Or tape. Or fast food. (And a whoppin’ 50-minute drive to the nearest Starbucks – oh, the horror!) That 20-minute trek is just enough to make me think twice about what I can substitute, do without, or make on my own. It’s just enough to get me organized, saving time and money by reducing our trips to town.
What do we have in our tiny town? A park, a library, a swimming pool… and a few very quiet streets for bike riding and family walks. Free entertainment at every turn!
We don’t have new vehicles.
Oh, but we do have well-loved paid for vehicles! What they lack in fance-n-shmance they totally make up for in reliability and saving us hundreds (thousands?!) of dollars a year.
We don’t have cable. Or satellite. Or smart phones.
What we do have is a limited amount of pricey distractions, which results in less time in front of our one tv and more time interacting with our children and our community. Because our cell phones are pre-paid and used for emergencies, we’re not tempted to check them every two seconds at home or on the road. And, without the cable and cell phone bills, we can save up for our next well-loved vehicle!
We don’t have a large (or new) home.
Dear Jonses, please look away. We are not keeping up.
Built in 1916, our nearly century-old home boasts three bedrooms, one (gasp!) bathroom and a whole lot of character. With four children, it sometimes feels a little tight around here, but this is how I look at it: If I had a bigger home, I’d have room for more stuff. If I had room for more stuff, I might actually want more stuff. If I actually wanted more stuff, I would be tempted to spend money (that I don’t have) on stuff (that I don’t need). You get the picture, right?
What we don’t have doesn’t define us. Being content with and grateful for what we do have is our key to frugal, debt-free living.
Amy is a frugal, stay-at-home/work-at-home mom of 4 who believes The Finer Things in Life are not really things at all.
Yes! Great message. So important to always look for the positive, thanks for resharing this post : )
Love that post. I do believe that was the best post I have read this morning. Bigger is not always better. Keep up the great work/
This is a share-worthy post. Thank you for the great perspective.
It is refreshing to read such honesty. There are so many times that I think, “If I just had this _______” fill in the blank..That life would be so much better. Its not true, Life is what you make of what you have. It is important that we all realize that.
Thanks for sharing!
This subject has been on my heart recently. This post really hit home, thank you for sharing! P.S. I used to live in Arkansas City, KS.
Love this. I too have to defend often why my family does not have cable TV and why we still use an old outdated PC with a dial-up connection. We use the basic cell phones that come free with our discounted plan.
This is a great reminder to me as a parent readying for Christmas that my child does not need every latest toy or fad! I want her to learn to be content as well so she is better able to handle her own finances in the future and to learn to be content in Christ alone.
We just down-sized and moved it with my parents. And I love it. I love having less stuff and not needing to clean all day. Next step is going prepaid after the cell contract runs out. I’m just working on turning off the computer now.
thanks for sharing….PRICELESS!!!
This was much needed today! All week I have been trying to explain to a ten year old neighbor why a bigger house, dish network, newer car, etc. …. are not important to me. These discussions makes me depressed; not because I want these things but because I am thrilled with what I have and wish what I didn’t have wasn’t mentioned to me on a daily basis… (If I love my life why must someone question it), I know he is only 10. It is good to know that even though I have to arguee my point other people out there see it.
I enjoyed reading this. You definitely have your priorities straight :).
Doris
I always feel that my kids are lucky that we are poor. Since we don’t have cable, fancy game machines, etc, they spend most of their time playing outside and use their imaginations. We live in a normal size home and that too is a blessing, because we all spend time in the living room and kitchen together. Because they don’t have TV’s in their bedrooms, we watch movies together.
Love your attitude. We are very thankful for what we have too!
But godliness with contentment is great gain.–I Timothy 6:6
Awesome post. I can relate to all that when I was growing up in a small town in South Eastern Ky. We didn’t have cable or cell phones, heck we didn’t even know what one was and then they invented the microwaves and computers. Only the rich or famous could afford them. Back then it was safe for someone to hitchhike somewhere because everyone knew who you were. I believe that we have all gotten spoiled with all this new high tech stuff. It’s time to go back to the basics.. Like someone already posted before, money is not important, as long as you have a roof over your head and food on your table you will be okay. But most important to me is spending time with your family
I’m a grandmother and I keep telling my children and grandchildren that money isn;t that important. As long as you have a roof over your head and food to eat, your good. The only thing you really need is family. Family and Faith are the most important things in life.
Great post! Thanks for sharing.
WELL SAID! No Starbucks near me either :)
Trying to spend TIME with my boys and creating memories…that is what they will remember.
what an awesome post!! :) thanks for sharing!!