From Cindy's Porch...

Are We Depriving Ourselves?

As we journey down this path to Make Our Finances Come Alive and as
we learn new ways to DO instead of BUY, SHOP at home FIRST,
and PROCRASTINATE, are we missing out on something? Are we becoming
less adventurous? Less spontaneous? Less fun? Less?

Are we depriving ourselves?

Hmmmmmm…..

When I choose to drink a glass of water from the tap instead of a can
of pop from the store, am I depriving myself? Yes, of about 10
teaspoons of sugar and a jolt of caffeine.

When I choose to bike to the grocery store instead of drive, am I
depriving myself? Yes, of extra flab and unused leg muscles.

When I choose to eat at home instead of a fast food joint, am I
depriving myself? Yes, of an overload of fat and extra salt.

When I choose to walk with my husband or friends in the evening
instead of going to an expensive gym, am I depriving myself? Yes, of
needing fancy gym clothes and driving across town and then feeling
guilty about not using up the membership.

When I choose to play a board game or a game of cards with my family
instead of going to the local arcade, am I depriving myself? Yes, of
load noises, flashing lights, and unidentifiable smells.

When I choose to rent a DVD and make popcorn at home instead of going
to the movie theatre, am I depriving myself? Yes, of greasy popcorn,
wet cramped seats, and a scratchy sound system.

When I choose not to buy my kids a computer or television for my
kids' bedrooms, am I depriving myself? Yes, of telling them to go to
bed, turn down the TV, and wondering what they are looking at on the
Internet (or who they are chatting with).

When I choose to make my kids SHOP at home FIRST for art supplies and
other supplies for their craft and school projects, do I deprive
myself? Yes, of having to make a last-minute run, 10 minutes before
the store closes to buy pipe cleaners, marshmallows, gummy candies,
toothpicks, and poster board.

When I choose to encourage my kids to play with their friends at the
local tennis courts, the local ball diamonds, and the school gym
instead of signing them up for every sports and arts activity
available in the area, am I depriving myself? Yes, of become a
chauffeur, scheduling expert and having to spend hours sitting on a
wooden bench in a cold hockey arena drinking lukewarm coffee and
eating flat hamburgers.

When I choose to wear the same winter coat for another year or the
same shoes for another season, am I depriving myself? Yes, of having
to find closet space for the new stuff.

When I choose to keep gift giving to consumable, reasonable items
instead of clothing or retailer's clutter, am I depriving myself?
Yes, of possible wrong sizes, wrong colors, and unrealistic
expectations.

When I choose to holiday with a tent, camping stove, and fishing gear
a few hours from home, am I depriving myself? Yes, of a thirteen-hour
trip in the van with kids and two dogs and trying to find a hotel in
a new city at 10:00 at night that takes dogs.

When I choose to say NO to something on sale, am I depriving myself?
Yes, of IMPULSE buys and shopping mistakes. There is always another
sale.

When I choose to say no to new credit cards, am I depriving myself?
Yes, of more debt, more bills, more paperwork, and more hassle.

When I sit on my front porch with my very special guy and a bottle of
wine served in our "green" porch wine glasses, am I depriving myself?
Yes, of one hour of stupid evening TV and a half hour of depressing
news and sports.

I like this depriving myself! I have more money in my savings
account. I have less debt on my credit cards. I spend more time with
my husband, kids, family, and friends. My body feels better. And I
have more time to DO the things I thought I never had the time to DO
before!

DO instead of BUY! Rediscover your money. Rediscover all the fun
things you can do with your family and friends in your community that
don't cost a dime!

"Deprive" yourself LOL!