Growing up, we lived a feast or famine life...there were some years we ate alot of beans...and others we could afford pretty much anything we wanted.
In my teens, we lived mostly feast years...both parents worked long hours and they were able to afford nice cars, Christmas was usually sprinkled with tiny boxes with diamonds or gold...mom collected crystal, antiques and chinaware...dad had his guns...he built a huge shop and it was filled with tools and gadgets...
They had lots of beautiful 'stuff'.
My dad was a heavy equipment truck driver...and can still recall his busy work days, and his many, many proud moments at his job...but he can't recall being at any of our school or extra-curricular activities (cause he wasn't) nor could he tell you any of our friends names...
Mom tried to be there, but she was pretty tired most of the time...and I never really got the feeling that she enjoyed it..
Don't get me wrong, our parents loved us dearly...and we were a very close family.
One day, they decided to sale all of their stuff because they were tired of it and wanted to become RV gypsies....so they had an estate sale. Their lifetime of hard work for stuff boiled down to $18,000 at the end of the day. $18,000 doesn't last very long when you travel...
I guess all my rambling amounts to this:
The cost of all that 'stuff' was too much. My parents worked themselves to death to accumulate it...and then sold it for enough money to travel and live on for about a year.
I learned the most FRUGAL lesson that day. Stuff sucks...(just kidding)
I decided then and there that we were going to do it differently. Time with our family is our goal...not stuff.
We don't have alot of stuff ~however~ We go to the extra-curricular things, our DDs friends practically live here on the weekends, if you've read any of my blogs, you know about the grandbabies... and life is good.
My best frugal lesson (Warning, long rambling post)
March 24th, 2006 at 05:38 pm
March 24th, 2006 at 06:03 pm 1143223415
March 24th, 2006 at 06:04 pm 1143223446
March 24th, 2006 at 06:17 pm 1143224240
I know that when we have possesions, some are more useful than others. We all need clothes to wear and food to eat. Appliances come in handy, and are used every day. Furniture is comfortable and reflects our tastes and color choices. We all love our TV and music!
Some things are enjoyed and put to use every day. In looking around the room, I'm happy with the choices I've made. How many years did your mom enjoy her collections? Was it worth it to her? I guess it's up to the individual.
March 24th, 2006 at 06:59 pm 1143226774
Also- my parent grew up very poor. Moms family- cotton farmers...Dads- widowed mom who babysat and washed clothes...
This is a big reason why 'stuff' was so important ~at the time. Neither had ever had much at all. However, they would both agree now that a successful, happy life is 'not about the stuff'.
March 25th, 2006 at 04:41 am 1143261686
You furnish your life with your memories, experiences and relationships - not with your stuff.
March 29th, 2006 at 01:51 pm 1143636681