The One Where Money Isn't Everything

Disclaimer: I had a realization over the weekend, and had to get it off my chest. The "small amount of money" I talk about is referred to as the money I use on necessities.

Rick and I have always been on a strict budget. He's really great with money, so we've been able to pay off credit card debt, save money for our down payment on our condo, pay off multiple hospital bills (after changing insurances 3 times in the past year, so that means 3 deductibles that we have met...), and manage our money well enough so I can stay at home (so far...) with Paige, and he can quit one of his 3 jobs (even though he took on another third job, but it's less hours and he can work from home, we're so happy about it!). We started our marriage out with a pretty strict budget, but it seems like it's gotten smaller and smaller.

I'm not telling you this so you feel bad for us, by any means, if anything I am telling you this so that you will feel happy for us. I'm not saying we're broke, I just came to the realization over the weekend at how little we have been living off of every month. I was kind of shocked about it, hence the need to blog about it. We have it set up so that I get a very small amount of money twice a month, and I use that money for groceries, diapers, my gas, and anything else Paige or I need. Rick, of course takes care of everything else. I have been clipping coupons, and planning our meals so that we can pinch every penny.

Isn't it great how God blesses us with what we need and when we need it? Although I have never ever lived off such a small amount of money (not even for myself, when I was living with my parents and didn't need very much, let alone had to cover a husband and a baby), I have never been happier. I feel like the past year has been the happiest of my life. Sometimes I think we get caught up in thinking that we need money for this and that and everything so we can enjoy ourselves, but I think that it's important not to stress about money too much, but to still live within your means. I've been on both sides of the fence, and think that the little extra effort and will power it takes to manage money a little better is so worth it. Like I said, I have never been happier.