Usually at Thanksgiving, I make a point to give thanks for non-material things. I need that reminder not to overlook the things that really matter when I’m so busy thinking about earning, saving, and spending money. However, this year, I decided to make a list of money-related things for which I give thanks. I share them with you in the hopes that you might find a few things on my list that you’re thankful for, too.
1. I am thankful my parents taught me how to save and how to give by splitting my allowance into three parts – some for me, some for others, and some to save.
2. I am thankful my parents taught me, by example, not to judge others by how much money they have or appear to have.
3. I am thankful my parents never bought me brand-name clothes as a teenager. Had I gotten into the habit of wearing them, I would not have been able to afford them when I started paying my own bills.
4. I am thankful that my husband and I are both savers; we rarely fight over money.
5. I am thankful that neither of us had any debt when we got married.
6. I am thankful for the generosity of my parents and my in-laws, who regularly give us both cash gifts and practical gifts (such as diapers) that help us save our own money.
7. I am thankful that I have always been able to afford all the things I need and some of the things I want.
8. I am thankful that there are very few things I really want.
9. I am thankful for the Internet, which allows me to contribute to our family’s income while I stay home with our children.
10. I am thankful for coupons, rebates, and special offers, especially on things I would buy anyway, because they help me stretch our budget.
11. I am thankful for the many yard sales, thrift shops, discount stores, and competing drug stores in our area, which all save me money on things I would normally have to buy for full price.
12. I am thankful for credit card rewards. Because we pay off our cards every month, they serve as discounts on nearly everything we buy.
13. I am thankful that we have enough money that we can give some to help others.
14. I am thankful for investments that increase our savings.
15. I am thankful that we have been able to save enough money to cover our unexpected expenses, such as car repairs and trips to the doctor.
You will notice that I am not thankful for a six-figure income; that’s because I’ve never had one. No matter how much or little I earn, I can be thankful for what I have. I hope you are thankful for what you have, too.
Image courtesy of bulldog1
Comments