Although a born frugalite, even I struggle with an occasional case of  The Wantsies.  A powerful force, the Wantsies make a frugal lifestyle less than appealing.  One key to kicking The Wantsies to the curb is The Power of Contentment.  In my case…

• I am content with our fixer-upper, circa 1916 home.  Older homes have amazing character, and hubby and I will never stare at each other in boredom and have to create a project to keep us busy.
• I am content with our 2001 minivan with cassette deck, and our 1994 pick-up, also with cassette deck.  Our vehicles are functional and PAID FOR.  (and have been since 2002)
• I am content with our pre-paid cell phone, sans texting, sans anything exciting other than sending and receiving calls.  It is useful to have when we need it, but we aren’t tempted to jeopardize our safety “playing” with it while driving.  At $8.34 per month, it’s quite a bargain.
• I am content with the one channel available on our tv.  I don’t have to fight with my kids about their tv time or program choices because there is nothing for them to watch.  (We do have some videos.)
• I am content with our hand-me-down and auction-purchased home furnishings.  It may not be the most stylish, but purchasing expensive new furniture while raising children just seems to me a special kind of crazy.
• I am content living in a Teeny Tiny Town with no stores.  No stores = less temptation on a regular basis.  Temptation walks hand in hand with The Wantsies.

Want less.  Be content more.  What do you do to ward off The Wantsies?

Photo by mbgrigby

Amy is a Tiny Town SAHM of three, ages 5, 3, and 1.  Encouraging readers to enjoy the Finer Things in Life is the purpose behind Amy’s blogging, which she usually does with a child (or two) on her lap.