I often struggle with perspective. The grass is always greener and all that... Sometimes the grass really is greener when the lawn belongs to someone with family money or a whole lot of luck. Sometimes the grass only looks greener; sometimes it's really dead grass that's painted green.
The numbers are astounding. The average American household with a credit card has $15,950 in credit card debt. I walk around at work and see people with Coach handbags and Michael Kors shoes. People go out to lunch everyday and buy $10 meals. I get upset and wonder why I don't have those things in my life. I work hard. I have a good job. In fact, I have the same job that these people have. Where's my Coach clutch? How come I can't seem to find $50 per week for lunch in my budget?
Then I remember ... Most Americans have more credit card debt than savings. I'm lucky that my household is the opposite. I pay my bills on time and pay my credit cards off every month. I live within my means. And what do I have to show for it?
The part of me that struggles with perspective would say that I have nothing. Nothing to show for it. Hard work, dedication, budgeting has only brought me worry, sleepless nights, disappointment. That part of me is what is wrong with America today.
I have a lot to show for my efforts. I have good credit and that credit has allowed me to finance a car and a house at extremely reasonable rates. I have a house full of furniture and modern electronics. I am able to pay for upgraded cable and internet to utilize those electronics to their full potential. I am able to buy little things for myself and other people on a regular basis. And I even put money into my 401(k).
It is difficult to put life into perspective. Commercials inundate you with the newest thing. You don't really need it; your life will not be dramatically better with it. The people you have in your life are important. Food on your table and a roof over your head, those things are important. The release date of the newest iPhone should not have any bearing on your happiness. The number of designer pumps in your closet should be irrelevant. But it's not.
Instead of buying things to make my life better, my new resolution will be to improve my quality of life without purchasing anything at all. Step 1: Wake up tomorrow and run. Reduces stress, increases energy. The only cost is time and effort.
...Although, it's probably a bad sign that the first thing to pop into my head was that I need to buy new headphones. Oops.
