I’ve surprised myself because I’m still at it five weeks into the year.  It’s become reflex to fold up any fivers I receive in change, slip them into the spare pocket of my wallet and then pop them into my jar when I get home.  While I have taken this photo of my jar, I’ve resisted temptation and not counted up what I’ve already saved.  I don’t seem to miss this money and I never find myself ‘short’ which is what I feared would happen.  Don’t we surprise ourselves sometimes?

Finding my angle on today’s  theme has been a challenge.  Ideas have been flitting in and out of my head over the weekend and frustratingly none of them really connect nor are they easy to develop into anything interesting.  But I’m determined to stay at least remotely on theme this week because money or rather one’s perception of its importance and role  in one’s life is an important issue to resolve.  So, without further ado, let’s talk money.

What’s enough money?  For me, it’s whatever I have right now.  It’s being able to cover all the bills while also being able to squirrel away a bit for long term goals like Preschooler SSG’s education and middle range ones like the handbag to end all handbag cravings.  Basically, it’s about living within my means. Trying to use what I earn to live comfortably, plan for the future and to treat myself along the way.

In the leaner times, making do with less cash has actually been quite liberating.  Finding creative ways to make those dollars go further.  Finding that having less new stuff saw that the current stuff got fully appreciated.  Finding that you are made of sterner and tougher stuff than you might have imagined.  Finding contentment and peace of mind through all of the above.  There are things upon which a price can’t be put.

There’s this fine line between knowing the value of money and being a slave to it.  And I think, in some situations and for a certain type of person, ‘enough money’ is a moving goal post that’s based on the money they see around them as opposed to what they’re able to earn on their own steam.  It’s a mindset that breeds this sense of outrageous entitlement and cunning that results in basically wheeling, dealing, manipulating and stealing from those around them.  Their place of employment, a financial institution, ‘the house’ and sadly, their own families.  It’s a devastating place to be in and one which will ultimately be quite isolating and bleak as what goes around has this uncanny tendency to come around.