Living Large with Less – A Challenge for 2017

Every January, I ‘CoinStar’ the contents of my piggy banks.

Joyfully, I have a wad of unexpected cash to start the new year!

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Money is one of my favorite topics to write about.

After reading everything I could get my hands on… and interviewing as many Baby Boomers and Millennials who would talk to me… I pitched my book proposal (Boomers and Millennials) at a Writer’s Conference in Denver this summer.

I was shocked at the stark generational differences in attitudes about Money and Debt.

Boomers (not all – but many) believe that Bigger and Better is just not enough.  And through my studies, I found that a large swath of Baby Boomers keep an active and ongoing ‘Bucket List’ of places to visit and experiences to complete in order to live a fulfilled life.

I have no personal problem with bucket lists in general.

I do take issue with Baby Boomers who carry around buckets filled with extravagant adventures while their kids graduate with a big mortgage without a house to show for it (i.e. student loans).

After reading my recent blog post on getting my 2 sons through college, I think you can easily summize that I don’t own a bucket or a list.

(Please go back and read my previous posts  in Simplification: Downsizing category.  And take special note of 2 posts called Retire Well and Living Life Again.)

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So where is this all heading this early morning?

I actually woke up at 4:30a and decided to write this post just for YOU.

No Kidding.

I hope you will find a nugget of good information on money to enhance your finances in 2017.

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To paraphrase a wise woman…

Money is a topic that should never be discussed among friends and family.

It’s a private affair.

You should never complain about how much you DON’T have.

And by all means, you should never brag about how much you DO have.

When I was growing up, it was simply the ultimate in bad form to flaunt good fortune.

Back then, only vulgarians bragged and boasted.

How times have changed. Right?

But here’s My Written Thoughts on how to make 2017 a financially sound year!

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My New Year’s resolution  is to Suspend Spending.

When I was a little girl, my parents lived a very simple life.

In fact, they tried to reduce their monthly expenses to almost Nothing!

I have enormous admiration for their non-materialistic mindset.

And, I have even more respect for their authentic Attitude of Gratitude and feeling blessed and abundant while living like a Pilgrim.

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Because I struggle with the definition of Wants & Needs –

And because I have blurred lines between frugality and being an obnoxious Cheapskate….

I have done a whole lot of reading on these topics.

To save you some time, I am going to share what I’ve learned.

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So at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 2016…

I decided to buy only what I need to maintain my home, automobiles, and basic clothing.

No more chotkies and thing-a-ma-jigs to decorate the rooms of my downsized home.

No more dust collectors to display on my shelves or latest, greatest gadgets to stick in a drawer or closet.

Of course, I won’t reduce my family to rinsing out zip-lock plastic baggies and reusing them over and over, but I will be mindful of everything I consume this coming year.

I really enjoyed an article citing research on materialism and emotional health called:  Here’s Proof Buying More Stuff Actually Makes You Miserable by Martha C. White. Click Here to Read.

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And here’s another resource for you to review.

I can’t say enough good things about the Fidelity website.

(www.fidelity.com/mymoney/overview.)

There is a plethora of useful and easy-to-read information.

You can learn so much in a very short period of time…

Read an article on your lunch break or take a few minutes each morning while sipping your coffee before your household wakes up.

(Some articles even give you the estimated reading time – such as a 6 minute article.)

By the end of the year, you’ll be better for it and so will your bank account!

For all Readers who desire to go big time financially frugal this year, I have a wonderful article to send called:

9 Money Lessons to take from the Great Depression by Paul Michael with Kiplinger

The author outlines small ways we can incorporate the lessons learned in the 30’s.

He writes, “The Great Depression was a time when everyone looked at ways to cut back, save money, and survive. Here are nine tips from that era that are still just as relevant today, and can save your household a lot of money.”

I don’t plan to adopt each and every suggestion.

And, I already have a container garden in my backyard and a treasured membership to COSTCO.

But I have read this article no less than a half dozen times.

It’s a perfect way to begin the new year with a new mission.

When I need motivation or a realignment in my attitude or laser-focused intentionality in what I want to accomplish for my family, I pull out my printed copy of this article.

Click Here to Read.

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I have a big day of appointments….so I must sadly end this post now.

So enjoyed talking Money with you.

I have a very neat topic to share next time we meet…Talk Soon.