We used to have a lot of discretionary cash to spend, but when my husband lost his job, that fun part of our lives kind of drifted away. Today I was doing the laundry thinking I had better get to the store and buy some laundry soap before my laundry room became impassable. It can get that way after only a few days with five people in the house. I stood there with a smile on my face, thinking how happy I was that I had enough money to buy that soap. A year ago it would have been just a chore to have to go buy it. Money wasn’t an issue. Now that money is always an issue, I think about every single purchase. I question whether it’s a frivolous purchase or one we really need. I decide whether I really need that thing now or whether I can wait another week. The funny thing is, I’m not mad about it all. Not anymore anyway. Today I was just happy that the answer was, yes, I have enough money to buy the soap, and yes, we really do need it. I guess you could say I’ve learned how to simplify our lives. I’m finding satisfaction in being able to provide the basics to my family – food, clothing (not designer), shelter, transportation. I’m not just dealing with it, I’m happy about it. Do I have credit card bills getting paid late? Yes. Do I have student loan debt piled taller than I stand? Yes. But taking one day at a time is not as awful as I imagined it was going to be. There is a light at the end of my tunnel. I feel good about home sales numbers. I feel good about the changes Obama is trying to make. I feel good about my business and my husband’s prospects. Last year a road trip wasn’t enough. Today a road trip is an adventure and an indulgence, a reward for the whole family. I like where we are right now. I hope I don’t lose this feeling when we have money again.
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