fresh ideas

 





Since I get so many requests about handling a low income I thought I'd share a fresh way I'm thinking about my money these days.  I watch a lot of finance YouTube people like Ramit Sethi and others like him.  They go over couples/singles finances and come up with a game plan to get out of debt or achieve other goals.  It hit me one night that my "bills" are actually my luxuries.  It's a fresh way of looking at an old topic.  


I will give you few examples...walking into a hot room and pushing a button and cold air pours out of vents to cool me off.  That is a luxury.  Drawing a hot bath on a cold night.  That is a luxury.  My cell phone.  Luxury.  When I began looking at my bills in a new light, I suddenly felt very very rich.  Literally everything in my life seems to be a luxury.  Have you ever felt like this?  Please do tell!  xo

29 comments

  1. Love your attitude - such a fresh perspective! Gonna pass that on to my adult children.

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  2. Hi Janet, this is a fabulous way to look at life. I learned it recently and it has changed my outlook completely. For instance, instead of waking up and dreading work, I now say to myself “I’m so lucky I get to go to work today.” It’s amazing how my whole attitude has shifted. Thanks for your lovely post today. It’s always a treat to “hear” from you!

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  3. Yes, I feel like that all of the time - that change in perspective is freeing and gets me out of the ‘I wants.’ Feeling grateful!

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  4. It’s amazing what a change in attitude can do for the spirit. I’m so grateful I have a job and “get to” go to work, I’m “so fortunate” to have a house to clean, etc. It really does make all the difference. Love this post, Janet.

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  5. I practice gratitude most of the time, but reframing the way we look at our bills puts them in a whole new light. Thank you for this perspective, Janet.

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  6. I’ve always felt fortunate that I had enough to pay my bills and no one goes without. There’s an old saying
    at my home, “Enough is as good as a feast.” Words to live by.
    Kathleen M

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  7. Just watch the news every night and you realise how rich you really are!

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  8. I lost my husband suddenly about the same time as you so I understand the life changes. I try to identify the joy of each day before I go to sleep. I love pulling warm laundry out of the dryer and folding it on a chilly day. Weird? Like a warm hug for me.

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  9. Yes! Be grateful for everything, for all the "good" and all the "bad." (Harder but doable). All of the wonderful, everyday things we take for granted; just look around. Waking up each day, a clean soft bed, warm running water, safe abundant food and clean water to drink. A car. The internet. Bills do represent luxuries! You are so right. Happiness is all in perspective. Your house always looks so cheerful, bright and clean.
    Erina

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  10. Another who lost their husband suddenly but slightly earlier I think and was left in a precarious financial situation so everything seems a luxury. I try to look at life itself as a luxury, one that some people do not have. The luxury of hugging my granddaughter and hearing her tell me that she loves me to the moon and back 77 times!
    As you say Janet all we have are luxuries that some people do not have. A comfy bed in which to sleep, heating that keeps us warm (no need for air conditioning in the North of England), hot water and all the things that make our lives comfortable. I'm certainly going to look at my life differently going forward.
    Thank you for reminding me to be grateful as recent problems have made me forget.

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  11. I lived overseas for a time without a refrigerator. I swore to be thankful every time I opened my fridge door when I finally got one. That was over 40 years ago and I'm still thankful for my fridge, although I don't give thanks every time I open it now. Thinking of "necessities" as luxuries is a wonderful attitude.

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  12. I am just going to enter one big huge thank you to all these comments. They are so good. We are kindred spirits! I love every single comment so much! Thank you all!

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  13. Oh, absolutely. My dad used to think of being able to push the thermostat up a notch in winter as a luxury, and I do, too. Same with the AC in the summer. Honestly, polishing an old pair of good shoes feels like a luxury.

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    1. I love the idea of polishing an old pair of shoes- that just makes me feel relaxed and blessed.

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  14. Nearly 20 years ago I went a summer without air conditioning due to finances and it was miserable. This past summer it cost me thousands of dollars for a new HVAC system. Finances are tight because I am attempting to get the cost of it paid off by the end of the year. I grumble some, but am grateful I was able to replace it right away when it became necessary, and also that I had a cool summer. Writing a daily gratitude list has helped me immensely. I hope you realize, Janet, what an awesome community you have created here.

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  15. What a wonderful attitude! I feel so blessed that I am able to afford to pay my heating and cooling bills when they appear. This was not always so. And this summer when I had to replace all my utilities, heat, hot water and AC. After the shock wore off and realized I could manage the project I felt lucky. I love reading your posts which remind us that having more "stuff" won't make us happier. Darby

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  16. Wow this post really resonated with me. I can get stuck in the negatives. I love this! Going to start thinking like this!!! Thanks Janet!

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  17. I love this perspective! It's amazing how shifting our mindset can help us see the abundance in our everyday life. Truly, even the smallest comforts we often take for granted are luxuries. Thanks for sharing this refreshing outlook! 💡

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  18. Janet! I'm so glad you're back! I've missed your words of wisdom and peace!

    Wanda

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  19. I couldn't agree more with Janet's lovely post and all the wise commenters here. Recently divorced and now technically "low income", in reality I feel very abundant and blessed. I treasure creating a cozy, attractive home on a modest budget, growing food and cooking my meals, the creative pursuit of living in dignity and simple elegance. So many frugal luxuries to be enjoyed!

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  20. After helping my mom take care of my dad who has dementia, I came home to my quiet ordinary life and felt like I am on a luxury vacation. Time and peace are priceless.

    Janet, thank you for reminding us to take stock of the abundance we take for granted and for sharing your wise and gentle perspective on life.

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  21. Thankfulness for what the Lord has provided...the pic of your home is lovely and so happy that you're back!

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  22. I so enjoy these posts and look forward to them! I don't grumble about grocery shopping, cleaning the house, cooking, etc. Many people don't have the privilege of doing those things for themselves, whether due to finances or physical incapacity. I am lucky and I know it.

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  23. I'll try to explain my simple finances that have lead me to my version of a luxurious life. I used to be an impulse shopper. I now stick to simple menus/foods (whole foods, simply cooked, put on repeat)- I had a slice of sour dough bread, with really good butter, a small salad with vinagrette and a grilled piece of salmon for dinner, 2x already this week. I purchase clothing/shoes/bags/accessories (only when I need something or need to replace and even then, I really think about it and only buy from certain brands or try to thrift as much as I can)- This one has saved me $1000's over the years. I, like you, painted my interior all tones of similar white, only changing the tone to deal with some dark rooms. I bring in color by repainting furniture, as I get bored. Heating/Cooling/Gas/Vehicle- I really think about stretching their uses as far as I comfortably can. I still thrift (love old books and the occasional, old piece of pottery or a frame) but I only thrift now, for 90% of the stuff I own. Exceptions- undergarments, shoes (I have BIG feet), sheets (Unless they have never been opened). Everything feels like a luxury to me, even though my house is uber simple and I might be perceived as "poor" to some. I'm ok with that. This past summer, I went through my home and really repaired, refreshed or just did some basic maintenance on everything- really putting the effort into appreciating each object. I bought some nice oil for the furniture and wooden items in my home. I dusted all of my baskets, gently with a soft paint brush. I cleaned up my art area, winding all my yarn up into beautiful balls, cleaning my paint brushes carefully, finishing up some sewing projects for a refresh- really appreciating each item for its use and the beauty it creates in it's own space. I feel rich, rich, rich! Even my pets- I've been paying more attention to their needs, space, and care. It does make a difference.

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  24. I have started each morning with devotions and a prayer of gratitude for years now, and noticed it bled over into my days. It completely changed my attitude during lockdown (sorry to bring that one up), as I learned to say "Well if I can't xxx, then what opportunities are now open to me? Your post is a great reminder, and applies to every economic level.

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  25. Exactly! It seems every appliance in my kitchen has decided to conk out at once but you know what? I still have 2 burners on my stove that work. I can still just turn a nob and have a meal ready in no time. I get to turn on a faucet and have potable water come out. So many people can no longer say that. I’m lucky enough to have my kids close by so I can store food in their fridge until mine is fixed. And I also have a store nearby that sells a variety of healthy food I can just pluck off a shelf. I refuse to complain while I save up to replace these luxuries. Thanks as always for a great and timely post!

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  26. Hi Janet, I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday as I was waiting for my shower to warm up...millions of people all over living in poverty that have no ability to even take a hot shower. I can remember watching a segment on the news a couple years ago on a part of the world that suffers from severe poverty and it made me feel almost guilty and I couldn't stop thinking about it for a couple days. How lucky I am to live here and have access to a computer so I can read your blog. 😊
    Linda
    xo

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  27. Hi, It’s so nice to see your posts. Your bread looks delicious.

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kindness is never out of style.

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