I am not a big fan of watching TV commercials. In fact, commercials are the reason I love to record programs so that I can watch my favorite shows in almost half the time. However, lately I have been drawn to the AllState commercials talking about the need for Americans to go “back to the basics.” I actually commend them for speaking to the heart of where most Americans live today. In an age where our attention is dominated by the latest infomercials, innovative products and automobile advertisements (that somehow come across 3 times louder), it is refreshing to be reminded about how people were still happy before all these things came to be.
Generations are shaped by certain major events that happen in their lifetime. The Builder generation (those born between 1920-1950) were shaped by the Great Depression, World War II, and rural lifestyles. They are known for being frugal, loyal, patriotic and hard workers. Isn’t it interesting that much of the financial advice that we covet today is sound advice offered by our Grandparents? If my generation is guilty of anything, it is guilty of trying to acquire the same financial status in a few short years that took our Grandparents a lifetime to build.
My sincere hope is that we will not forget the lessons we have learned over the last two years from this recession. Things will eventually pick back up (they always seem to do), but this recession will leave us with two important questions:
- Will we be any different?
- Will it be business as usual?
My new passion in life is to firmly embed in my memory the value of saving, investing wisely, making good money choices, and living a frugal life. Isn’t that what being a good steward really is supposed to be anyways? Isn’t it all God’s to begin with?
May each of us never forget that our happiness is not tied to a house, a car, season tickets, the expensive vacations, or brand name clothing. True happiness is found in the simple things in life that we pass over each day.
As I sat around the kitchen table last evening and played Monopoly with my family, I had a big smile on my face because there was no place in the world that I would rather want to be. I leave you with the principles shared in the AllState commercial…
May we never forget:
- That meatloaf and Jinga can be much more fun than reservations and box seats
- That who is around your TV for the big game is more important than how big it is
- That the most memorable vacations can easily happen 10 feet from your front door (playing in the yard with your kids)
- Cars are not for showing for how far we have come, but for taking us where we want to go.
- The truth is that the best things in life do not cost much at all.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Good Post and great reminder!
I simply could not agree more. I was having a few beers with a friend the other evening, and we were discussing this same point. There has been a lot of pain in our country the past several years, but the important thing is that it changes our attitudes and actions for the better. I just hope that “we” have learned our lesson, and we’ll get back to basics, especially in the areas of finances and family.
Fantastic post and so true. I realized yesterday that my husband was one of my FAVORITE people in the entire world. The only thing I truly wanted was to spend as much quality time with him as possible. You can’t put a price on the time that you spend with your family, and I hope that this interlude in which we have ALL had to tighten our belts and rely on one another will not turn, even when the economy does. Thanks for the fantastic insights.
~bloom
Jonathan,
Great reminders of what is really important in life. I too hope we can learn from the recession, especially if we can learn is to appreciate people instead of stuff.
So true. You don’t realize what really matters in life until you have your income taken away.
True words written here. Let’s not forget the wealth that isn’t measured in dollars and cents…family …faith..relationships. Great post!
Thanks for the guest post, Jonathan.
My favorite example (so far) of the best things not costing much is a recent trip I took to Gatlinburg, TN. For those who don’t know, it’s a tourist trap on the edge of the Smokey Mountains. Some friends and I drove down, slept in our van for a couple hours, hiked through part of the night, watched the sunrise, hiked some more, walked through a few malls, ate (an amazing experience alone), and goofed off on some touristy games.
We pooled cash for gas and snacks and didn’t stay in a hotel, so we got by on 20 bucks each for all 33 hours of amazingness. It was one of those trips I’ll likely remember for the rest of my life (because of some of the memories created), and it cost less than dinner and a movie.
Creating happiness is easier than buying it.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Really do like the look, content, and navigation of your blog. Started reading several things here after following a link to you from the blog of a commenter on another blog. Can’t say that the goal was researching personal finances from a Christian perspective … still, your blog was interesting enough to bookmark and now be back reading more on a second day.
Thank you for publishing such an interesting blog. And it’s great that some of your commenters can add personal insights and depth to your already great content. Looking forward to more
!!
@Dustin – I sure hope we have learned our lesson as well. My biggest thing is that I don’t want to forget. It is so easy to forget once you have come out on the other side of things.
@bloominglater – what a great example of what I was talking about! It is so easy for us to take for granted those important relationships of ours in our “pursuit of happiness.”
@Joe Plemon – “especially if we can learn is to appreciate people instead of stuff” Ditto! A new motto that my wife and I adopted in the last years is: “Accumulate memories and not possessions.”
@Used Cars Knoxville – I couldn’t agree with you more. It is amazing when you look back and realize that you were making good money when at the time you did not think so.
@Ken – great comment….thanks!
@bondChristian – Marshall, that is a PERFECT example of what I am talking about. Even if you had all the money in the world, why not still get creative on trips like that. Those are memories that lasts….thanks for sharing.
@QwkDrw – thanks for visiting. There is a great community of people here both on the blog and in the forums that are helpful and supportive.
Great reminder, but I am planning for the next one…. lol has a lot of objectives based on next Recession.
Natalie
Youth For Jesus
Great advice. This goes beyond being practical but also sentimental – an important aspect to finance.
To: well, anyone with the same feelings…. we’re looking for like-minded families, that don’t have to be Christians, although we are, but want to be more serious about living off the land, getting back to the basics somewhere in the USA or other country. We are in our early 50′s. We’re not, nor want to be hippies. Just live a simplier way of life… sharing, bartering, being friends etc. Drop us a line at : Schwinn@myself.com