Such an important point and so true, Lori. You can't take it with you anyway. I came to realize that as well very suddenly after losing my sweet boyfriend last year. All the material things he had owned stayed behind, and what mattered to me the most, the affection and love from him every single day, has gone to another place. The objects you can touch are in the end not important at all.

I just barely make it paycheck to paycheck, with the increased taxes, medical insurance, and only making minimum wage for 35 hours a week. I haven't made this little money in 20 years, but when I sit and think about what I do have I realize that I am very blessed and that God is watching out for me and taking care of me. I don't need a lot to survive, and there are much more important things in life than what money can buy.

You are a very special person, Debbie. You worded this sentiment beautifully.

I am so sad that you are without the physical presence of your boyfriend.

However, as you have experienced, he is very much nearby and he seems so much happier after being released from his earthly concerns. He feels he is of more help to you now than when he was in the physical, though, for some reason.

I have a feeling that soon you will be inspired to do something, write something, that will help others while improving your own financial situation.

Dear Jilly

Went to your original post,to really understand what the subject is.
Since my retirement 2years ago,never lived as well as I do now.
Just went tody to the community center to try to find a phone with a cord.
There were none.Went to a store where people go there because prices are cheap.
Found a beautiful one for 10$.The one I have now is an expensive wireless one
Someone gave me brand new.With another unit for another room.I am going to give it away.Made my shopping this week,not one item was not on sale for the week.
Most people in the village I live in are sure I am rich.People make clothes,clothes do not make people.

There is a problem of low self-esteem when people are ashamed of having low income.When I enter a place. Ifeel like a rich man.

To finish being happy,a smile on ones face,showing confidence,peoplewill think you have made it.

My car has 180,000 miles on it,it iis a 1997 Toyota.far from being a rich man,s car .
Loong

Sandra, I think you are completely correct about the poor economy in general taking the stigma away from being low income. It's just a matter of fact thing now, a way of life.

I think there is a greater sense of 'all being in this together'- of less trying to outdo each other, and more of encouraging everyone to get by.

Lori, as far as spirituality, poverty has always been symbolic as a virtue. I'm not sure where that comes from, but being happy because of the important things in life SHOULD supersede the quest for toys.

Everyone, it really is interesting that we covet all kinds of expensive things without regarding the return on investment.
For example. How expensive is a set of quads, an expensive motorhome, or jet skis, if you use them only twice a year? We have to maintain these things, store them, clean them and transport them, add gas and oil to them...for very little ROI. They own US.

If your family's lifestyle is based around watersports and jet skis, maybe it's worthwhile. Say you use the jetskis five times a year. I still think it's still a very expensive item per use.

Everyone has the right to choose what brings him or her joy so long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others. This right adds to the richness of the diversity of life.

We see what others have chosen and decide for ourselves if that is what we want or not.

I like your other post about people eating out then crying poor. It really is about choices, isn't it?

I choose not to feel shamed by my income. Rich, poor. It's all only temporary experiences. My income is not a reflection of my worth or value. I have enjoyed experiencing being both.

I like that. Income should not define us, either way. We are far more than that. Our worth doesn't come from our money.

Lori....thank you. I have experienced death many times in my family before, the closest to me being my father, but nothing compared to losing my boyfriend, whom I loved like he was my husband. That experience brought me to my knees last year, and I am still trying to make a new life and a new reality for myself. It is true what they say, that you will never be the same, or be able to go back to who you were before the great loss.

Because of my experience, my priorities and values have been more clearly defined for me. The important things in my life are few and very powerful, love being the most important and the most real for me, for it never dies and it feeds the soul like nothing else. Yes, I need money for basic necessities, but I find that I can live with so much less than I ever thought I could.

Jilly.....you are right, we are not defined by the money we have or do not have. I find that having less makes me more focused on what really matters to me in life, what is internal and eternal.

This is a great topic.