Frugal Contentment Thieves 2

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

16 May 2008 09:14 AM

When we last left off, we were talking about how a comfortable neighbor can rob you of your frugal contentment. Now, let's see what to do about it, as well as how to face two other potential thieves.

The best way around this is to realize that your frugal living is a choice that you have made. You might be able to have some of the things that your neighbor does, but you might also have the debt, the second or third job or the stress that goes with it. And isn't it better to enjoy a simple life free of some of these modern distractions? I love having the time to stand with the kids on our front porch watching and smelling the rain, for example, or watching the path of a caterpillar. I couldn't do that if I were working longer hours to support a larger home or that flat screen television mentioned above.

Commercial television

Commercial television is far from real life. Struggling out of work artists in a sit com enjoy a large hip apartment in a trendy area that would cost at least $5,000 a month in rent. Plus there are so many commercials for stuff to buy, it can drive you insane. Lately, television programs have been inserting story lines that cater to name brand products, from cleaners to ice cream. For example, last night on My Name is Earl, one of the characters was forced to do some crazy things for a Klondike Bar. While this made for comedy, it also happens that Klondike Bars was an advertising sponsor of the show. The same thing could be seen on this past season's Biggest Loser: Couples where the number of references to Subway during the show made my head spin.

If you are prone to feeling deprived about frugal living, turn off the television, use a recording device that screens commercials or watch PBS and check out movies from the library. Being conscientious about what you watch is a smart way to help reinforce your values and the sense of being happy with your life.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Heidi (5269) 16 May 2008 09:44 AM

Thank you for this!!! I have really been struggling with the comoftable neighbor issue lately! Thank you for the reminder that not all that glitters is gold (and is probably debt!)

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 16 May 2008 10:11 AM

Thanks for reading! I have been envious of kitchens lately LOL!

Dale Harcombe (10399) 16 May 2008 05:39 PM

It's the same issue for those who choose to stay at home and live on one income.Occasionally others make you want all the things they have but is it worth the stress, long hours and time away from kids? Not for mine. We need to keep our eyes on the big picture not the incidentals.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 17 May 2008 03:43 AM

Exactly, Dale! I've had people look at me funny when I tell them that I don't have a cell phone, and I have been told that kids need new toys not used ones. But, I am there every minute of the day for my kids, and we enjoy little things like sharing a homemade banana split. It is a choice that I am very happy with, although I realize that it isn't for everyone!

StBridgit (322) 20 May 2008 07:50 PM

What I have discovered, is that if I keep a list for myself of things that I think I want, then set aside money in a "slush" fund, I will often whittle down the list just over time. Yes, a new kitchen would be nice--but my husband and I spent about $300 (probably less) to repaint our tired kitchen cabinets, and to paint (yes, PAINT!) our old formica countertops, and now I have a kitchen I no longer feel ashamed of when friends come over. It's clean and feels modern, even if the range and dishwasher are the "out of fashion" almond bisque. That was $300 spent from the "slush fund", instead of tens of thousands of dollars on a HELOC to get a new 'designer' kitchen! And I am happy enough with it, that I am thinking it will last us for at least ten years before we get the itch to do something else with it. Time is often the best cure for a case of the "wants".