I don’t know about you, but I work hard for my money. The harder we work, it seems, the more “stuff” we accumulate, and the more we acquire, the more we seem to need. It’s not uncommon for people to get locked into a material battle, working harder and longer just to keep up with the Joneses. In our world of excess, maybe it’s time we all take a moment to discover what is truly important.
Nice things are indeed nice. Beautiful cars, lovely homes, and elegant furnishings make us feel like we have arrived. Those little rewards we earn after working hard toward a goal are certainly worth the effort. However, once we finance ourselves up to our ears and work tirelessly to pay the interest on all our nice things, we lock ourselves into a lifestyle that requires excessive work, leaving little time for play.
A good work ethic is a beautiful thing, yet many in our society lack this essential trait. Interestingly, the most successful people in the world often live below their means, regardless of their bank account balance. Living below our means gives us more options. Thinking about taking a job on the other side of the country—or even the world? With some extra cash in the bank, these possibilities become real.
With a little extra money saved, medical issues don’t threaten everything, and children with sudden special needs don’t have to feel guilty when Dad has to sell one of his toys. Life’s surprises don’t throw us off course as much. We all know this, yet more and more of us are financing our lives away, making it difficult to enjoy all the “stuff” we work so hard for.
So how does one step out of the race against the Joneses and learn to relax a bit more? Believe it or not, it’s simpler than most people think: scale down.
Scaling down allows us to kick back and enjoy life more fully. It removes us from the material race, and for the most part, our friends will still like us just the same. If they don’t, are they really friends we want? Scaling down teaches our children that there are more important things in life than constantly seeking the next new and better item simply because it exists. It shows them that valuable things in this world can’t be purchased.
This doesn’t mean there isn’t value in having toys. If you want a boat and can afford one, then go for it. But if your budget allows for a $35,000 boat and you stretch to buy the $50,000 version, how much time will you have to actually enjoy it? If you choose something within your means, you’ll feel more relaxed about the financial situation and won’t feel pressure every time you step on board.
Where does this desire to have “better than them” come from? Most experts say it stems from the belief that money solves problems, and that people with wealth command respect. The truth is, money doesn’t solve problems—people do. While it’s undoubtedly stressful to deal with financial struggles, the issues we face cannot be purchased or resolved on a financial level. Those who understand that they are responsible for their own lives and are in control of their circumstances tend to be happier and more content than those who believe the next new toy will bring them joy.
Respect isn’t bought; it comes from hard work, doing the right things in life, and stopping to help others amid the hustle and bustle. It stems from knowing who you are, where you’re going, and how you treat people along the way. Keeping up with the Joneses is not a viable way to earn respect.
The happiest and most successful people will tell you that their secret lies in a well-rounded approach to life. Living below your means reduces stress and pressure, and true happiness comes from within.
As a society, we place too much emphasis on what others think of our lives. Since they aren’t the ones paying the bills for us, it makes sense to worry less about their opinions and focus more on how we perceive ourselves. Once you start the game of keeping up with the Joneses, it’s very difficult to step back and declare the battle a draw.
