Conversations on money

Working at a bank for 6 years you tend to have a lot of conversations about money.  What people what, need and why.  While processing loans it was necessary for me to know what people's income was and where it went.  You know what I found.... no matter how much someone made they wanted to spend more and yet they were still not happy.  The conversations would always lead towards I will be happy when.... I can get the bigger boat or my kitchen would be redone and many more just like them.  It seems that once we acquire the item that we desire we find that the desire for something is still there so we fill it with another thing on our list. (or the list the commercials give us)  The buying and spending is never done and true happiness is never achieved.


Why do we consume our lives with consumer items?
I have been thinking a lot, now that our income has been reduced, about what my needs really are.  Do I need cable TV, fresh organic produce from Seattle, a new hair cut, or new shoes? How much should I deny myself? should I use the shampoo that is sitting under the bathroom sink that I hate or should I buy the expensive stuff that I like? It is also true that we need to pamper ourselves and others.  Where do you draw the line? Are my wants being confused as needs?


I know in my life Brian and I have been very blessed.  We have always had our needs met.  Brian has always had a job and we have been able to now live on one income, with sacrifices. I know there are very sad stories out there- more then and more with every day.  I know I am blessed.  So the question comes to me.  What am I doing with what I have been blessed with?   And more importantly what am I teaching my son is most important in life?

Brian and I have talked about cutting off the TV for many reasons.  One day I decided to call and see how much our family could save (seeing as we pay about $200 a month for a package). Here in Juneau we get a package deal --it you want to call it a deal--- of internet, cable and phone.  If I get just basic cable I would have to pay more for my internet.  This would save me $10 a month. Shocked we continue to look for more options out there.  I talked to more mothers to see what they do.  At a different provider, who does not offer cable, I could get just internet and phone and save our family $100 a month. So how important is the TV? Sports, News, Shows, Movies?

In all my pondering I have come to this conclusion.  It is important not to dwell on money because the pursuit of saving money consumes us just like the pursuit of spending money did.  What I need to do is cut out the things in my life that are distracting me from what is most important. Easier said then done.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust corrupt, 3 Ne. 13:19–20