It's time to chat budgeting . . . anyone else with me?Â
I had a huge revelation over Christmas that I kind of knew before, but this time it hit me like a ton of bricks.
Money can't buy happiness.
(You knew that though, didn't you?)
Over the last year, we've shelled out some serious cash in hopes of making our kids happy here after moving last Spring. And while I'm not going to lie and tell you it hasn't softened the blow a bit, doling out cash hasn't just magically made life easier like I'd hoped.
We bought a trampoline. It blew away in the first windstorm. (Totally our fault for not planning ahead of time ~ grrrrr.)
We bought a kayak for my son. We were able to use it a time or two, but he of course wanted a friend out there with him. You can't buy friends, you know, but he's working on that! 😉
We added extra gym classes for my daughter in hopes of helping her enjoy her new gym more. So far, she's surviving, but it's just not the same as home.Â
WE BOUGHT A PUPPY. 🙂 Okay, the verdict's still out on this one because he is just a puppy, but the kids who've begged for a dog for the last five years have been a little unimpressed with how much work this little guy is to manage. They're starting to enjoy him some, but they had no idea what they were getting us into!
See how we've kind of failed at the whole penny pinching thing?Â
Thankfully prior to moving our finances were in decent shape so we haven't blown our budget, but it's become the principle of the matter.
Ultimately? Contentment comes from the inside.Â
No matter how much money you have, it won't fix all your problems.
Money can't take away sadness. It can't automatically make you fit in. It doesn't fill in the areas of your heart where friendships should be. It won't magically make life better.
However, choosing contentment no matter where life takes you can be learned. I'm working on teaching it to my children, and more importantly hoping to model it myself. Hopefully they'll see it at work in this heart of mine one day? (Folks, I am so bad at showing contentment with the ones closest to me. And everyone. Just really bad at it.)
A very fun-sweet-friend of mine and I were chatting yesterday (ummm, actually I was whining, and since she recently moved to another area in Ohio she's been a great sounding board.) She offered me sage advice . . . “Sometimes you just have to fake it 'til you make it.”
Ahem.
Things aren't always easy. Financial burdens are HARD. (So. hard.) But I've seen first hand that while money undoubtedly makes life a little less painful, it simply won't fix all your problems the way you think it might.
Be encouraged this very minute today though. Wherever you are ~ financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually, contentment can be found way deep down somewhere.Â
If your home is making you nuts because you just want some more space, take a few minutes, grab a grocery sack, and fill it up with as many things as you can so that less clutter gives you a little more freedom.Â
If you're dreaming of a new car but that's not realistic right now, give the car you have a really good washing, scrub right down to the nooks and crannies, and clean that car til it shines.
And if you know the situation you're in is just so much more than you can handle, take a deep breath, lavish yourself with grace, and say a quick prayer for peace to come in the midst of your day today.
If financial issues are causing your family tremendous strain right now, I so encourage you to really really really really (did you get that? REALLY) determine to make wise financial choices today, clip coupons, skip dinner out, and don't go to Starbucks. (Really.) After years of penny pinching it is oh-so-worth it to have financial freedom, and while it won't make life better, it has undoubtedly made life easier.Â
But don't fool yourself into thinking a lottery windfall will fix all your problems today. Instead make the absolute-very-best-oh-so-amazing-life-right-here-today where you're at. Okay?
I'll be working on it on this side of the screen too. 😉
- The Smartest Financial Decision We (Accidentally) Made
- Don’t Sacrifice What You Really Want For What You Want Right Now
- My Wingback Chair Story (why patience in budgeting is worth it)
- If Only….Â
- Do Our Children Need It All?
- How My Seven-Year-Old's Perspective Changed
- Contentment In the Little Things
- Grace
- Charm is Deceptive and Beauty is Fleeting
- The Value of A Kind Word
- Praying With Your Children
- Praying With Your Children (the Addendum)
- Are You A Real Mom?
- Giving Passionately?
I am very sorry it still doesn’t feel quite like home yet for you and your family since the move. We moved a lot (husband was active duty military for 20+ years) and while moving can be hard, it can be wonderful as well. My daughter (who is nearly 20) absolutely agrees that moving a lot helped create the compassionate person she is today.
My mom’s version of the “fake it ’til you make it” quote was always “fake it ’til you feel it.” I pray you will each begin to FEEL content and BE content in your given circumstances. It will completely change your outlook on everything!
Thank you so much for your kind words Jennifer! We have our days – there are so many good things here, it’s just so different and so not what I saw coming (I don’t know how military moms make it!) It really is such a good reminder though to just choose to hang in there until it feels good – I’ve heard 3 years but am hoping we’ll get there by two! 🙂 Thanks so much for your encouragement – it’s so good to hear that people do get through this…I know we will (just have to be patient in the middle of it!)
I needed to hear this today. Life is crazy busy right now and its hard to feel content when you don’t even have time to stop and sit and be still. I am a transplant to Alabama from Ohio so I know exactly how your kids are dealing and struggling through this move. Just know that it will get better. I moved here where I was 13 and as you know that is very HARD age especially throwing a move in there. I was welcomed by a close group of friends at the middle school I attended. We are all still friends today at 35 years old. I Have some of my best memories with them and I wouldn’t trade one of them for anything in this world. Your kids will be OK and they will find their place in this new place. Thank you so much for your compassion and wisdom. I enjoy your blog so much. God will carry you through and get you all through the hard times.
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement Amie! It’s so encouraging to hear that other people have survived it – I know we will, just hard as we slowly get through this first year I think! Praying life slows down enough for you to get some time to just relax too – goodness busyness alone can just be overwhelming! Thanks for your kind comment 🙂