A new series is coming to a Frugal Girl blog near you!
Probably that's this blog. 😉
I have long felt that a contented attitude is key to cheerful frugal living, and key to proper money management. Why?
People who lack contentment will never be happy, regardless of how much money or stuff they accumulate. No job, no home, no car, no wardrobe and no income is ever quite enough for the discontented heart. Because of this, I'd venture to guess that discontent is the driving force behind much of the overspending that happens in our culture. Credit cards offer people an opportunity to get more, more, more than they can really afford, but since more is never enough, credit card debt just keeps piling up.
On the flip side, people who are content can be happy in any situation...with a little money or a lot of money, with a little bit of stuff or with a lot of stuff. I don't think I have to expand on why this sort of attitude is good for money management!
So, over the next three Thursdays (starting this coming Thursday), I'm going to share 3 habits that have helped me to grow in contentment. If you struggle with discontent, maybe they'll help you to change your attitude (which will make you much happier!). I practice these habits myself and I also use them as I help my children learn to be content. I hope they serve you as well as they have me.
I should add too that ultimately, the reason for my contentedness lies in my faith. God gives me the grace and power to fight against ungratefulness and discontent, and since I know that God loves me (even when I sin!) and is always working things out for my good, I am inspired to be content with whatever He sends my way. Of course, this doesn't mean that I don't try to improve things (I took medicine for my hyperemesis, we saved up so that we could move out of our basement apartment), but it does mean that I try to keep a contented attitude in the midst of difficulties.
That said, I'm quite confident that the 3 habits I'm going to share with you will be helpful and practical no matter what worldview/faith you embrace.
I know sometimes I've started series before and then been very hit-or-miss with them, but I've actually planned this one out ahead of time, so I think I should be faithful with it. I planned it out on the way home from Myrtle Beach, and while I was at it, I planned a Productivity Series (which many of you have asked for), and that's slated to come in November. I also mapped out every single blog post for October and November, and that's never happened before. It's amazing what 7 straight hours in the car will do for a person.
Hopefully this plan will not only help me to faithfully finish these series, but will also make skipped Wednesday Baking posts a thing of the past. Also, hopefully I can manage to keep ahead with my planning. Because fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants blogging is a little bit overrated. 😉
Today's 365 post: I think it's time for these to go.
I am so looking forward to read your posts. I really, really love your blog although I don't have kids or a house or even a husband and most of all: I can't cook a thing. But I like that you aren't a know-it-all, a know-it-better and that you believe in what you write. Thanks so much.
Greetings from Vienna, Austria, Europe.....CCC
i love the idea of a contentment series. i'm a fairly content person, but i think even the most content of people need a reminder once in a while. it's also nice to see other people's contentment because it makes you feel like you're not alone. i can't wait to read it!
and wow, props to you for planning 2 months out in advance. i've been trying to plan more than a week at a time and it's just so time consuming...but i guess 7 hours in the car would help 😉
Very excited about this and pray the Lord will bless the work of your hands and heart.
Thanks for being so transparent. In Him, Joan
This comes at a perfect time ... the women's bible study I'm a part of is doing a book on contentment and letting go of anxiety. God has great timing.
Looking forward to the Contentment series..I have been lacking in this area lately and need to regain some contentment in my life. Thanks.
Looking forward to your series!
Ooooo can't wait! Excited about both series and inspired to map out my blog posts for the rest of the year!
You've already done that for me...just with your blog (make me more content, that is). When I'm stressed, like having too much to do on the weekend...I count my blessings, and I can feel the stress melting away...I feel much more content.
And just one more question...what does a tomato have to do with contentment. Just asking, mind you 😉
A tomato has everthing to do with contentment. Especially when you grew them yourself and took a wonderful photograph of one! 🙂
Well, I was looking through my photos for something simple and peaceful to use for this series, and I just thought a lone tomato was sort of appropriate. There's just one in the photo, and a tomato is sort of a humble, lowly food. And yet, this tomato looks almost happy (the stem is so perky!).
Plus, this particular photo had lots of empty space for a series title. =P
Love this idea!
I also think gratitude plays a huge role in the contentment / happiness continuum.
It is my small groups one year anniversary today and we are sharing how God has changed our lives in the past year. Contentment is a big one for me! I have less money and less career direction in my life now compared to one year ago, but I have a lot more contentment! : ) There's no point in being dis-content! I agree that it is tied to faith...if you believe in God and believe He has the best plan for you and will provide all you need, then you will be more content.
I look forward to this series because I WANT to be content and peaceful inside of myself, but it seems I usually feel distressed and chaotic inside. Looking for tips to improve my overall emotional wellbeing, so bring it on - I wanna hear some of your secrets to happy living!
Great idea! I'm looking forward to it!
I am looking forward to your contentment posts! Thanks for a great blog!
Yes, I too am looking forward to this, but please don't forget the baking posts! (Couldn't tell if you were planning on dropping them or not.)
No, no! I was saying that my planning ahead was going to help me NOT to skip any. =P So, hopefully they'll be more regular even than normal. 🙂
Oh whew! I really enjoy your baking posts (not that I don't enjoy your other posts, but, you know, you're allowed to have favorites).
I know some people who are crying and whining that they "can't afford to retire." They complain about having to work a few more years to retire at 55 when I know people working at 62 who have no retirement in sight. Thing is, they can afford to retire. Sure they'd have to give up going on lavish yearly vacations and downsize the home and their standard of living but they aren't willing to do so. I get annoyed at people like that because it's not that they can't it's that they won't.
Those are people who will never be content.
Have you read The Mitford Series by Jan Karon? The first book is At Home in Mitford, and is my very favorite book of all time. If you have not read them, I highly, highly recommend that you do. I know you said you try to read a lot on non-fiction, because you like to read books that will better you. I can tell you that no book I have ever read has taught me more about contentment and thankfulness than this book and the others in the series. On top of that fact, they are my favorite books because of the entertainment factor. I couldn't tell you how many times I've read them, but it's evident that my copies have been used many times by the tattered cover that is barely hanging on. Needless to say, it will soon be held on by tape, so I can continue loaning it out to everyone I know!
Lovely. I look forward to reading this series. 😀
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without"
I'm looking forward to the series. Contentment is highly tied to happiness, in my opinion. I'm especially looking for ways to help my kids learn contentment, as I find that quite challenging.
Kristen,
I can't wait for your contentment series. God is so timely!
I`m looking forward to reading this series! Over the past 2 years I have become the most content I have ever been in my life. I had never felt this kind of peace before and I am loving it!
I read your blog quite faithfully, and am really looking forward to your series. I am trying also to find contentment in my life, and to not keep looking for the one more thing that should/could/would make me happy. I should be happy with who, what, and where I am in life. And for the most part, I am. Seeking only more contentedness will truly help along life's journey.
I think this will be really useful for me. Contentment can be a challenge for me at times, so I look forward to hearing your ideas on the subject!
looking forward to this series. i haven't always had a heart of content. growing in my faith was huge in getting me to where i am today and that is content. like you, i try to share/teach this to my girls...not always easy.
I agree with you. That is one of the reasons I started my blog, http://www.sufficientforourneeds.blogspot.com. I wanted to remind myself to think positively about living a frugal life as we go through a period of unemployment. My husband has been out of work for 8 months now. We are very blessed, and are getting along just fine, but it is easy to focus on what you don't have or what you can't do. I want to be a more grateful person than that, so I try to find upbeat, positive things to focus on. I find it makes a huge difference in how I feel about our situation. I appreciate your blog and your attitude.
Can't wait to start reading!
Thank you. I'll be looking forward to reading your posts about this. Being content and satisfied in Christ is foremost and then all else seems to fade; other things are not as important, really. Not that I have this content with any and all situations down. I definitely do not! I find when I'm discontent with something, the focus is really on myself rather than on the Lord or others. Why didn't this or that go my way? I'd be happier if only...(I can fill in the blank here with many many things). So thanks.