“We’ve having another baby!” a friend of mine told me. What joy for them. She was happy. Her husband was also happy. Everything looked like it would be wonderful.

The only problem with another child, however, was the financial burden another child brings. But we didn’t talk about that. I mean who talks about that at times like this.

But my friends did have a problem. They had over $30,000 in credit card debt, 2 car payments, a mortgage payment, and a wealth of other financial problems. So, when I went to their house the next week, imagine my surprise when…

…their house as outfitted with brand new furniture they had bought over the weekend. And in their driveway…

…a brand-new car.

A Slave to debt?

Here they were struggling to support a new child, but still bought a new car and furniture. But I don’t judge them harshly. In fact, more of us are like this than we realize. My friends are not the first and they won’t be the last. But when we look deeper a cycle develops:

Work hard to make money

Money’s not enough to get everything now.

Go into debt to buy more things

Work harder to make more money

To buy more things

To go back into debt

You may have a better car than your neighbors, per se, but what do you have to show for it? You have a life where you sacrifice your time for your possessions. The truth is when you’re in this situation you don’t posses anything…

…your possessions possess you.

Possessing Less Means Freedom

Most people associate wealth with possessions. They look at fancy houses, clothes, cars, and other sorts of “status symbols.” But what happens when you don’t buy those things? What happens when you don’t have all those expenses?

You have the beginnings of real wealth, which is more time and the money on-hand to pursue your dreams.

How many times have you wanted to go somewhere or do something but didn’t have that money? Or the truth is you make enough money, but all it goes to paying for things you bought years ago. Or maybe you are still paying too much for that car that stretched your budget or the house that was a little bit more than you could afford?

By keeping it simple, and buying fewer things, you will find yourself living more contented and even treasuring the things you have. Possessing less is not about taking a vow of poverty; it’s about buying fewer things, treasuring them more, and giving yourself time to pursue your personal development.

A Truly Simple Life:

One news story floating around these days is about Dee Williams, the woman who lives in an 84 sq. ft. home. I saw this first on Fark.com. Most people thought it was funny. And though I know most people’s reaction, I understand her. When a reporter asked Williams why she wanted to live in such a small house, she answered,

“A simpler life, time, more money. I don’t have a mortgage. I don’t have a big utility bill, I’m able to offer money to my family if they need it, (and to) my friends if they need it.”

I suggest reading the whole article and watching the video. I am not saying for everyone to go get small homes like this, but I think it is instructive on what’s possible.

Let me leave you with this thought:

With no mortgage, a $6 summer utility bill, and more time–what could you accomplish?

Topics: Financial Freedom, Simplify Your Life, Wealth |

Rate This Post:

Related Posts

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: related_posts() in /home/content/c/a/r/carlon/html/wordpress/wp-content/themes/direct-response-1/single.php on line 36