Don't keep up with the jones
Posted 06-01-2014 at 06:07 AM by EricB515
The drive to "Keep up with the Jones" over recent decades has been a major cause of financial stress and worry around the globe. People seem to think that they need to define themselves by what they possess. They also feel they need to keep up with their friends, family, neighbors etc with accumulation of material goods. In order to do this, people are working longer hours, wives have to work instead of being home with their children and in general couples / families live with a large burden of financial stress and debt.
I know it can be hard at times when you want to be like "The Joneses" and have what they have in their life and enjoy what they have just purchased. But remember you are your own unique individual and you should live your own life and not the life of someone else. You do not need to compete and you do not need to have what others have. You can have what you can afford and what suits you in your lifestyle, current situation and dreams for the future.
Be Happy With Yourself
Be happy with where you are in your life. The Joneses might look like they have a lot of fun and happiness on the surface, but unbeknown to most they are probably in a poor financial position with lots of financial stresses and worries. What they buy has probably been paid for by credit and they probably have lots of loans, many of which they can't afford.
Believe In Yourself
Believe in your own abilities and powers. You can have anything in this life that you put your mind to. But you must ensure it is your life you are living and not the life of someone else.
Be Proud Of What You Have Around You
Be proud of what you have around you. You probably have a splendid family and lots of love and happiness in your home. These sorts of qualities are priceless.
Don't Worry About Others
You don't need to worry about others. What you own, where you live, what you drive, what you like to wear etc is all part of you. You are special. You are unique. People will love you for who you are not what material things surround you.
Be Practical
If "Keeping up with the Joneses" is causing you any of the following
* Living beyond your means
* Increasing your debts
* Decreasing your savings
* Eroding your future nest egg
* Working longer hours
* Living surrounded by financial stress
* Worrying about money and the future
then it is time for you to start living your own life and not living the life of others. You need to start worrying about yourself and looking after yourself and minding your own business and not worrying about what material items others possess.
I know it can be hard at times when you want to be like "The Joneses" and have what they have in their life and enjoy what they have just purchased. But remember you are your own unique individual and you should live your own life and not the life of someone else. You do not need to compete and you do not need to have what others have. You can have what you can afford and what suits you in your lifestyle, current situation and dreams for the future.
Be Happy With Yourself
Be happy with where you are in your life. The Joneses might look like they have a lot of fun and happiness on the surface, but unbeknown to most they are probably in a poor financial position with lots of financial stresses and worries. What they buy has probably been paid for by credit and they probably have lots of loans, many of which they can't afford.
Believe In Yourself
Believe in your own abilities and powers. You can have anything in this life that you put your mind to. But you must ensure it is your life you are living and not the life of someone else.
Be Proud Of What You Have Around You
Be proud of what you have around you. You probably have a splendid family and lots of love and happiness in your home. These sorts of qualities are priceless.
Don't Worry About Others
You don't need to worry about others. What you own, where you live, what you drive, what you like to wear etc is all part of you. You are special. You are unique. People will love you for who you are not what material things surround you.
Be Practical
If "Keeping up with the Joneses" is causing you any of the following
* Living beyond your means
* Increasing your debts
* Decreasing your savings
* Eroding your future nest egg
* Working longer hours
* Living surrounded by financial stress
* Worrying about money and the future
then it is time for you to start living your own life and not living the life of others. You need to start worrying about yourself and looking after yourself and minding your own business and not worrying about what material items others possess.
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