We need to remember the skills of generations past and realize that we can make ends meet if we are careful and thrifty. Today it seems that everyone has everything; if we don't have it, we somehow feel we lack. "Keeping up with the Joneses" is not the way to go, however, if we wish to be good stewards of our money and resources.
Our current society is a throw-away society. Nothing seems to have lasting value--a vast change from the days of our grandparents. Then, the attitude was that you made due with what you had, that you took care of your possessions and appreciated what you had. Above all else, our grandparents knew how important it was to live within their means.
The attitude of today is much different. If there's a tear in a shirt or a hole in a sock, in the bin it goes, usually without a second thought. Why? Because Walmart is just up the road.
It is worrying to know that our children are watching us. Seeing that we don't value things or appreciate our blessings, they follow in our footsteps. We've become lazy and think we'll just buy a new whatever to replace what is torn or broken. This is not a good lesson to teach our children.
If we don't approve when they aren't taking care of their things, why should it be OK for us to do the same? Are we taking time to teach them the proper way to care for their clothes, toys, and books? Do we explain that money really does not grow on trees--that it is earned through hard work and effort? That every dollar is a blessing and should be valued? Do we take time to mend little holes before they become big holes? Do we prepare wholesome meals from scratch that aren't full of additives and empty calories? Do we expend the effort to plant our own vegetables?
None of these things are especially expensive; they simply take a little effort--and a little thought. These skills are easily learned, and our children can partner with us in our endeavors. If we expose our children to the good habits of thrift and frugality at home, there is every chance for them to grow up valuing every dollar. They surely have a better chance of not becoming a statistic--getting in debt over their heads with no hope of ever paying it off.
This is a lasting gift we can give our children. We owe this to them. Being frugal is not always easy. In fact, it can be very hard when prices are high, but that is exactly when we need to make due and refuse to give up.
Compared to other nations, we cannot consider ourselves poor--no matter what sacrifices we must make. We might think we're hard up, but most of us have a car (or two), a television, or a cell phone. This is NOT poverty. Poverty was the Great Depression; poverty is not having access to clean water or heat.
Few of us (if any) have ever had to live like that. We must appreciate what we have, even if, in our opinions, it doesn't measure up to what our neighbors possess. Being satisfied is half the battle.
Look around you. How many of your things are needs? How many are wants?
Let us try to teach our children the good habit of frugality. Let us learn some good, solid frugal ideas along the way. When our dollars aren't going as far as they used to, let us not be alarmed. We must rally to become the best stewards of our money, our resources, and our time as we can be.
Waste not, want not.
A good rule to remember: Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
by Linda at Penny-wise Women
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