Contentment. It’s something that we’re all seeking after, but sometimes it’s difficult to find. How do you become content with your circumstances, and how can being content save you money? Here are a few thoughts on this simple but important topic.
What’s Your Standard of Living?
We all have standards of living. Becoming content in life is about lowering your standards of living and rethinking what is necessary. In America, many people think that having a car, a cell phone, or television are necessary expenses. One is used for transportation, another communication, and still another news gathering. But are these things really necessary?
Many of the things we currently consider necessary are actually just convenient. It’s convenient to have quick transportation to the convenience store down the road. It’s convenient to be able to call someone wherever you are. It’s convenient to get news over the television rather than using the Internet you already pay for.
Yes, some people may need a car. Yes, some may even need a cell phone. And, yes, some may even need a television (but I’m reluctant to say so). My goal is to help you shrink your standard of living and encourage you to think about products and services in the context of trying to sustain your life.
Necessary products and services are ones you cannot physically live without. Of course, there are a spectrum of purchases that fall between absolute need and absolute want. Only you can truly make those decisions for yourself. Make a budget and keep contentment in mind.
Keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5 NIV
God asks us to be content with what we have. You may even try becoming content with less! Simplifying your life has some great benefits. Lower your standard of living so you are comfortable and not burdened by a clutter of things.
How Being Content Saves You Money
There are a few obvious ways that being content saves you money. But there are others you might not have thought about. Here are some of the ways being content truly keeps money in your wallet. Be weird, be content, and find ways to save money!
You’ll spend less on purchases.
This is the obvious one. When you’re content, you’ll spend less money. You’re a whole lot less likely to buy the latest gadget or album if you’re content with what you have. Spending isn’t wrong, but spending less will help you to financially prosper.
Be content and spend money you have. Throw away the credit cards and consider a cash back debit card instead.
You’ll have less maintenance costs.
Because I’ll be soon working full time from home, my wife and I are considering getting rid of one of our vehicles. Sure, it would be nice to have quick transportation if I so desire, but I could always wait until my wife gets home from work. This would be a great step for us to simplify our lives and lower our maintenance costs. Think about it. We wouldn’t have another vehicle to worry about. No maintenance costs, no insurance! That’s a beautiful thing.
You’ll be healthier and save on medical costs.
According to an article by Teri Dwyer, the financial cost of stress is staggering. One particular finding stood out:
A 20-year study by the University College London completed in the early 1990s found that unmanaged reactions to stress were a more dangerous risk factor for cancer and heart disease than either cigarette smoking or high-cholesterol foods.
Yikes. That’s scary stuff people.
The good news is that if you can learn to be content your stress level will come down and you’ll be less likely to have medical problems in the future. That will save you money and unnecessary pain.
3 Practical Steps to Becoming Content
Here are a few things you can do to move yourself closer to a life of contentment.
- Write down one thing per day you are thankful for on a list. This will help you stay motivated and keep the blessing you have in clear focus.
- Pray. Ask God for wisdom in making purchase decisions. If you’re struggling with spending too much money, pray that God will lead you to contentment. I think you’ll find God will respond to your earnest prayer.
- Remove negative people, situations, and things from your life. When you have a lot of negativity around you, it can turn you to frustration instead of God. Negativity is bound to happen, but remove as much as reasonably possible to ensure it doesn’t drag you down.
Reflect on your standard of living. Should it be different? If so, how much money will it save you? Walk through these practical steps to becoming content, and you’re sure to find some peace.
What are some ways you are content? How do you achieve contentment in your life? Leave a comment below.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been thinking about contentment and having goals and aspirations. How do you think these topics intertwine?
Another great blog with wise advice. Thank you!
I think you hit the nail on the head. We are all wired to think that if we buy x,y, or z then our life will be easier, better, happier, and it’s just not true.
I’m really making it a goal this year to simplify – the benefits are both mental and fiscal.
Thanks Heather. Yes, I encourage you to simplify! I’m consistently blessed by keeping things no more complicated than they have to be.
I have to actively work at being content, because it is such a natural instinct to be be the opposite. It’s gotten a lot better now that I’ve made a move towards minimalism, however.
I have a hard time distinguishing between needs and wants sometimes because most things aren’t technically needs- only nourishment and shelter are really needed to survive. When trying to cut stuff out of our budgets etc. it is hard to decide where to draw the line. Generally we are fairly content with what we have but sometimes I am challenged to ‘go all out’ so we can meet our needs more quickly and if we were to do that how much can we actually cut? Also- I’ve found that now that we are parents the lines are even more blurred because while it might be fine for me to drive around in a less than reliable car, is it OK for me to be taking my baby on long trips during the winter in a car that has the potential to break down? Stuff like that gets me.
It’s funny, I just did this, this past year. I was absolutely astonished at what I was able to shave off of our monthly expenses by doing so. When I am in a situation that would prompt me to buy something I ask some very simple questions. Do I really need it. Is what I have good enough (that question is a post in and of itself). Can I do without it. I am amazed at what I don’t buy after I ask myself these questions.
, Susan Cooper
Great post! Contentment is so important in personal finance. The quality of the life we live isn’t based on our acquisition of stuff. It should instead be based in part on the quality of your relationships. No amount of money will ever be enough for a person who can’t manage their wants.
when i make myself eat at home eating out becomes a mega pleasure. avoiding dry cleaning by ironing my clothes myself is thrilling to me. going shopping and walking out with nothing is becoming a habit. it has to be something to enhance my life or fill a practical need or be an upgrade or i keep my money. i’m contented just living below my income (and it’s small), yet i have satisfaction by having money at the end of the month. things for me are about food shelter and clothing. i bargain shop in all those catagories. i don’t sit around and want what hgtv sells, or desire what other’s have. my flamboyant desire is to go to england and check out the flea markets on picadilly street and just cut expenses everywhere along the way! or to save for reclaimed wood floors for our house. (nothing’s impossible with God).
Some needs vs wants are very difficult todistinguish? Do you go to the doctor right away or try home remedies for 2-3 weeks? Do you buy genric meds such as 10-14 days of amoxicilin you know you won’t take 3x a day or go with the 5-day Z-pack? Do you forgo medical insurance altogether for a Health Savings Account? As the other reader pointed out we also finally fot a 2008 car to replace my 314,800 mile 1998 corolla since we’re expecting baby #2 and wanted a more reliable car. The old one still ran but had some fuel injector issues – so was that a want or need? I think it’s impossible to be 100% needs based unless you’re a missionary in a third world county. Also, there’s the art of giving..no one NEEDS to gives. We may be called to give, but that doesn’t keep us alive…though arguably it nourishes the soul.
And yes I do know missionaries in Northern Thailand who use fans in every room b/c they have no air conditioning, eat rice and cheap firsh 3-S days a week, and go to internet cafes during non-peak hrs since they don’t own a computer. I am grateful and humbled that we are so blessed as we are.
Simplifying eliminates worry. And we were commanded not to worry. Set our minds on the things that are above, not on the things of the earth. In Dr. David Jeremiah’s Book Searching for Heaven on Earth, he wrote a great illustration for money.
The more you have, the more you want. The more you want, the more you spend. The more you spend, the more you need. The more you need, the more you have to have.
“A 20-year study by the University College London completed in the early 1990s found that unmanaged reactions to stress were a more dangerous risk factor for cancer and heart disease than either cigarette smoking or high-cholesterol foods.”
Jeez, that is one scary statement. Thanks for your thoughts on contentment and being thankful, both good tools to deal with stress.
Good advice. “Be content with such things as ye have”.
Heb 13:5