10 Signs That You Are Poor (Financially), But Rich In Life

Often times I find myself loathing the area that I live in. I feel like there is just way too much focus on attaining wealth, material things, and showing them off to friends. I feel like I kind of get suckered in every once in awhile. The glitz and glam can be blinding. For awhile, we were doing ok. But between losing multiple jobs and living above our means, things eventually got to a point where we had to take a serious look at how we were living our lives and adjust accordingly. 

For me, it's never been about the money. I work in order to live. You know- really LIVE! I appreciate what money can do- it allows you to travel, try things you've never done before, meet new people, do nice things for other people, etc. But I do not yearn for money so I can buy more STUFF.

This past month we pretty much hit the lowest of lows. And we just laughed through it. It got me thinking about how we have been through a lot in our first 5 years of marriage, and I was honestly expecting us to celebrate a lot more this year, but instead we've been working our butts off just to get by.  We both feel that even though we are poor financially, we've been able to experience a rich life! And I know there are others out there who have gone through the exact same ordeals!

1- You start making a game out of paying the bills. Like which one would we rather have this month? Hot water? Or power? Cell phone?

2- You wake up in the morning and are grateful for the things that you have, instead of being miserable because you cannot have some things! You can just walk down the street and enjoy your day, this day is your own, and nothing can ruin it. You can enjoy the time spent with your special someone (hubby, bff, pet, etc)

3- You have no gas in the car, you don't get paid until the next day. But it's the weekend and you want to do something. Invite your other poor friends over for potluck. Everybody's happy! 

4- You have no gas in the car. You have no money at all. But you have to get to work. You call up your parents/siblings/cousins/aunts/uncles/etc and they happily spot you the gas money not even expecting you to pay back.

5- Horrible week. Car broke down, lost your job, and you come home to a darker than usual house.  Woops must have forgotten to pay the power bill in that last bill game. Pull out all the candles in the house and have a romantic dinner in the candlelight and pretend like you're camping until the power comes back on. And you talk about how your future can only get brighter from there!

6- You get an extreme sense of giddiness when you walk into a thrift store and find something that was just made for you, purchase it and you still have money left over for a frozen coke from QT!!

7- You start looking healthier, not because you've been working out, but because you've quit going to fast food, and have been practicing eating until you are full rather than eating until you are overly stuffed!

8- You have your health, are able to take walks, ride your bike, and are content with these free things that allow you to enjoy the great outdoors!

9- You have power (for now)- and you take advantage of this luxury that nearly one-fifth of the global population is not experiencing, by making a meal for another family, reading up on your fave blogs on the internet, having friends over to play games, etc. 

10- You have worn the same clothes twice this WEEK, but you don't care, because they are clean and you are having a good time with friends and family!

Some of these we have personally experienced! Notice some common traits in this list? Optimistic, positive attitude, a sharing, caring attitude, not being anxious, keeping things simple, keeping family and friends close, and enjoying the experiences for what they are.