Not Plugging My Ears or Covering My Eyes
September 30, 2008 at 2:28 pm , by Emily
photo credit: …..dotted…..
Even though I have yet to write here about what is going on all around me, with the economy and in the oh so pleasant political arena, that doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention. I am. I have my opinions, I have my anger, I have my frustration and I have my fear. I don’t know what to make of all of it though. I am no expert.
What I do know is that it seems like now more than ever is a good time for me to just keep on keeping on with what I value. How can I talk about decorating frugally or living simply when the sky is falling? Because while pretty home displays may not seem important, that’s not what it’s all about. It’s about finding comfort, simplicity and contentment with what we have. It’s embracing frugal living head on, buckling down even more, but also finding ways to infuse my life with beauty and happy.
I have little, if any control over what is going on on Wall Street and in Washington, D.C. No more control than I had over the many years of behaviors that led us to this point. I realize, looking back, that I have done everything *I* possibly can to not be affected by this, but affected by it, I shall be. Because we’re all in this together whether we like it or not.
While we’re scrambling to keep lending and borrowing and keeping it possible for people to spend money that isn’t really theirs, I live my life within my means, without any debt, and just have to sit and watch and have it alter my life anyway. My individual choices didn’t keep things from caving in. But that doesn’t mean I am going to give up on them. I will keep being frugal, focusing on the good around me and living my life in a way that works for me. I will be angry that behaviors of others are going to cause dramatic changes in my lifestyle. I realize though, that there is little I can do about that. Things will get bad. They may get really bad. Thankfully I feel confident in my values that they will keep me and my family from too much pain.
All I can say about what’s going on is be frugal. Be happy with what you have and don’t keep buying things that don’t matter. Find contentment with where and how you live. It’s the best recipe I have found for fighting back and protecting yourself.
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by Writer Dad
On September 30, 2008 at 3:40 pm
“While we’re scrambling to keep lending and borrowing and keeping it possible for people to spend money that isn’t really theirs, I live my life within my means, without any debt, and just have to sit and watch and have it alter my life anyway.”
Many of the people in my neighborhood have new shoes, new cars, and I kid you not, iphones. They also get checks from the Government. I work sixty hours a week, by almost nothing non essential, and feel fortunate when my mortgage is paid (often on the due date).
Different strokes, eh, Em?
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by Denise
On September 30, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I just told my husband this same thing – now more than ever we must live within our means.
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by Susy
On September 30, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Preach on. I agree, makes me mad that all of us responsible citizens will have to pay the price for all the stuff that’s going on. I agree with you write dad, I feel the same way. DH and I live within our means and don’t have much (don’t need much) and those around us have borrowed their way to excess and now we’ll be paying the price.
I’m so glad I have the skills to grow my own food, preserve it as well, sew, cook they may come in handy.
Now more than ever we’ll be living the motto: use it up, wear it out, make due, or do without.
Susys last blog post..A New Farmer’s Market: Orrville, Ohio
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by Lacey
On September 30, 2008 at 6:15 pm
This was a great post! There is so much turbulence in the market today, and people need peace of mind more than ever. I wanted to offer your readers a link to another blogger who is doing great work. He writes about our ‘childhood money messages’ and how the best approach to stability in today’s market is to resist letting these emotions control our buying/selling habits. It is really fascinating work, and something you should all check out. His name is Spencer Sherman, and you can view his blog at http://www.curemoneymadness.com/blog.
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by Marie
On September 30, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I hear ya. I really, really wanna stick my head in the sand though. The whole thing makes me physically ill. :::sigh::: I wish there was such an urgency to fix this inevitable problem months and months and months ago. I am rethinking my trip to France in March. I don’t want to spend money on such a frivolous trip when we should be saving our pennies. Anyway…
Maries last blog post..cluttery isn’t a word. it’s a way of life.
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by Shamelle - TheEnhanceLife
On October 1, 2008 at 4:44 am
“All I can say about what’s going on is be frugal. Be happy with what you have and don’t keep buying things that don’t matter. Find contentment with where and how you live.” Couldn’t have said it better.
Shamelle – TheEnhanceLifes last blog post..Over Spending & Impulse Buying: 8 Reasons Why You’re Not To Blame
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by Sarah
On October 1, 2008 at 6:42 am
Great post – I just stumbled you! I think I’ll link to you today too!
Sarahs last blog post..Have Blog, Will Travel
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by Lance
On October 1, 2008 at 8:58 am
I am really trying to avoid the whole financial mess – as in I try to not even listen to the news about it. I’ve been living a “frugal” life for many years now, and the dividends of that are a life that is not tied to money worries. I like it that way. So I back your positioning 100%…
Lances last blog post..Winds of Change
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by deepali
On October 1, 2008 at 8:07 pm
I was really angry about all of this too, and mad at “all those other people” who got us into this mess. Until I realized that I’m one of those “other people”. We all are. While we can’t control everything to any great degree, we do have influence. And you are right, we are interconnected simply by participating in this economy.
So I’ve decided that we might be in crisis (haven’t decided if we are or not) and there’s not much to gain by blaming other people whose lives I don’t really know much about. It’s easy to judge others (based on their stuff, eh?), but it’s not really getting us anywhere.
I think, in addition to being frugal and looking out for yourself, you should also make sure to get to the polls this November. I have no voice in Congress. You are all lucky.
deepalis last blog post..october goals
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by Emily
On October 1, 2008 at 9:01 pm
@deepali – I will for sure be at the polls!
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by Amy
On October 2, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I agree! I am listening too, but when you are frugal blogger you just keeping trucking along sharing how to save. I don’t feel like I need to change my content because it fits well with the times that we are living in. Keep doing what you are doing!!!
Amys last blog post..Notebok Experiments: Can I Make Decent Brown Rice?
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by Alli {Mrs. Fussypants}
On October 2, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Excellent! Stumbled.
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by Jill
On October 3, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Don’t be angry – it’s counter-productive to your life, your health and to your soul. Since there isn’t anything you can do about what others have done you just have to let it go.
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by melissa @ the inspired room
On October 5, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Great post…I really got behind somehow! I get frustrated too by all the talk and abuse, and I agree wholeheartedly that the lesson here is we need to take responsibility for ourselves. So often we are looking to a leader to “protect” us and “give us” security. We will vote for the one who promises the most and yet so many people rely on those promises and continue to live recklessly! Really, promises are broken and even when they are kept the solution is not for us to put our security in the government. Yikes. We need to take PERSONAL responsibility and know that we are doing all WE can to protect our family.
Good job Emily!
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by How Do You Deal With The Recession? | MomGrind
On October 6, 2008 at 4:01 am
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by Jeff@MySuperChargedLife
On October 17, 2008 at 2:05 pm
It is frustrating to think that we are paying for the mistakes of others. Fortunately, there are people like you around to continue speaking some sense into a crazy world. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Jeff@MySuperChargedLifes last blog post..Back To Basics: Stop Whining And Frugal Up Your Finances
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by How to Get Six Pack Fast
On April 15, 2009 at 11:34 am
My fellow on Facebook shared this link and I’m not dissapointed that I came to your blog.
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