When we last left off, we were talking about how a comfortable neighbor can rob you of your frugal contentment. Now, let’s see what to do about it, as well as how to face two other potential thieves.
The best way around this is to realize that your frugal living is a choice that you have made. You might be able to have some of the things that your neighbor does, but you might also have the debt, the second or third job or the stress that goes with it. And isn’t it better to enjoy a simple life free of some of these modern distractions? I love having the time to stand with the kids on our front porch watching and smelling the rain, for example, or watching the path of a caterpillar. I couldn’t do that if I were working longer hours to support a larger home or that flat screen television mentioned above.
Commercial television
Commercial television is far from real life. Struggling out of work artists in a sit com enjoy a large hip apartment in a trendy area that would cost at least $5,000 a month in rent. Plus there are so many commercials for stuff to buy, it can drive you insane. Lately, television programs have been inserting story lines that cater to name brand products, from cleaners to ice cream. For example, last night on My Name is Earl, one of the characters was forced to do some crazy things for a Klondike Bar. While this made for comedy, it also happens that Klondike Bars was an advertising sponsor of the show. The same thing could be seen on this past season’s Biggest Loser: Couples where the number of references to Subway during the show made my head spin.
If you are prone to feeling deprived about frugal living, turn off the television, use a recording device that screens commercials or watch PBS and check out movies from the library. Being conscientious about what you watch is a smart way to help reinforce your values and the sense of being happy with your life.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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