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What I Learned About Contentment From Watching House Hunters

By //  by Khaleef Crumbley

When we had cable, my wife loved to watch a show called “Househunters”. It tracked a person or family who were looking to buy a house. They had a list of features about the house that they wanted – some non-negotiables and others, just icing on the cake. They would go over their list with a real estate agent, who would then show them three homes which match many of the features they were looking for.

Content House Hunters

There were a couple of things that always stood out to me while watching the show (besides how I was wasting my time). First, the house hunters would always talk about their current living situation to introduce the episode. As they spoke, you could see the bias and discontented spirit with which they viewed their current home. You would think that these people were living in a van down by the river (tell me someone gets that reference).

I would see people in a beautiful, spacious four bedroom house cry about their tight living conditions because they have one child and one on the way! Because they wanted something that was bigger and better in their mind, they completely lacked the ability to see the good in what they had or to be content where they were.

Another thing that stands out to me is how easily they can overlook the negatives when they find a property that they really like. It’s almost as if they bring out a completely different couple. The same situation that is driving them out of their current home (and making them want to increase their debt) – like too few bathrooms, for instance – is something that they are willing to overlook when it comes to their shiny new home. If they used that same desire and willingness to make things work and deal with shortcomings in conjunction with their current home, they could probably save a ton of money, time, and stress.

The last thing (besides the fact that the show is fake) I noticed is that all of the people are alike. They all want the same thing (big house, perfect location, low price, tons of bedrooms and bathrooms, big yard, etc.) and they all list the same reasons for moving. None of them were willing to make things work where they were and they all felt like they deserved something “better”.

This made us take a look at how we value the things that we already have. There was a point in my life when I used to go to various electronics websites and the website of a major computer manufacturer almost daily in order to find deals on things that I didn’t need. My computer, voice recorder, MP3 player, and any every other electronic device that I owned was adequate enough, but I was always looking for the next new thing.

Fortunately, I was always afraid of buying something that was overvalued and over-hyped,  or I would have replaced all of my electronics annually. Even though they were working fine, seeing something newer and fancier made my current versions seem outdated, cheap, and useless.

It doesn’t matter whether we are thinking about our home, car, electronics, job, clothing, or even relationships; we need to be grateful and thankful for what we have. Doing this will give us a much more reasonable and godly perspective on the prospect of acquiring something new.

1 Timothy 6:7-10 gives us a stern warning about failing to be content with what we already have…

For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

I am sure that this show would have been canceled in its first season if more people applied this truth to their lives.

Reader Questions

  1. With all of the commercials and other calls to ‘improve’ every item that we own, how do you mange to silence the voices and remain content?
  2. Have you ever fallen victim to the allure of something new and shiny only to regret the purchase later?
  3. Anyone else get annoyed with the people on these house buying shows or was it just me?

Filed Under: Christian Living, Personal Finance Tagged With: 1 Timothy 6:7-10, content, contentment, discontentment, house hunters

We Are All Going, Going, Going! – Devotion

By //  by Khaleef Crumbley

Each Sunday, I try to post a devotional thought for you to meditate on. Sometimes it will be something out of my own studies and prayers. Other times – like today – it will be from another source.

Today, I am posting a great thought  from J.C. Ryle about the temporary nature of material things, courtesy of Grace Gems:

(J.C. Ryle, “Eternity!” 1878)

Temporal Life

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

“This world in its present form is passing away.” 1 Corinthians 7:31

“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while–and then vanishes!” James 4:14

We live in a world where all things are temporary and passing away. Surely, a man must be blind, who cannot realize this. Everything around us is decaying, dying, and coming to an end.

We are all going, going, going–whether . . .
eminent or unimportant,
gentle or cruel,
rich or poor,
old or young.
We are all going–and will soon be gone!

The houses we live in,
the homes we love,
the riches we accumulate,
the professions we follow,
the plans we formulate,
the relations we enter into–
they are only for a short time!

Oh, you who love the world–awake to see things in their true light, before it is too late. The things you live for now, are all temporary and passing away! The pleasures, the amusements, the recreations, the profits, the earthly callings, which now absorb all your heart and drink up your entire mind–will soon be over! They are poor fleeting things, which cannot last.
Oh, do not love them too much;
do not hold on to them too tightly;
do not make them your idols!
You cannot keep them–and you must leave them!

This same thought ought to cheer and comfort every true Christian. Your trials, crosses, and conflicts–are all temporary! Your cross will soon be exchanged for a crown!

“What is unseen is eternal.” The world which we are going to, is  . . .
an endless eternity,
a sea without a bottom,
and an ocean without a shore!

“And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

Filed Under: Devotion Tagged With: Bible, content, contentment, Devotion

Contentment Through Appreciating The Basics

By //  by guest

[The following is a guest post by No Debt MBA, who is trying to pay for an MBA from a top 5 business school in cash.]

A few nights ago a big storm rolled through and rain poured down.  I lay in bed listening to the rain pound on the roof and felt a huge sense of luxury and appreciation that I was warm, dry and comfortable in bed instead of out in the rain.

It got me thinking that, though there are hardships, things we don’t have and areas for improvement in all of our lives, by and large we are incredibly fortunate.

Contentment Through Appreciating The Basics

When I go to buy groceries each week I can buy enough to feed my family without worry.  I can walk to the store because I am in good health.  I have access to good health care that I can afford.  I live in a country where you can get a free education through high school, often one that is of excellent quality as was my experience.

When it is cold outside I have shelter, heat, blankets, and tea or hot cocoa to keep me warm.  When it is hot I have fans and cool water to drink.  I have clean water for drinking, cooking and bathing and a sanitary way to dispose of waste and use the restroom.  If I want to talk to my family or friends I can just call or email.  If a family member fell ill I could be on a flight to see them the same day.

Listing it all out I feel incredibly lucky to have all of these advantages though I know that on a day to day basis I might take some or all of these completely for granted.  I think stopping and truly appreciating what I do have helps me feel more content and want fewer things in general.

After thinking about this as I nodded off to sleep that night I felt at peace and the constant to-do list in my head got quiet.  The next day I appreciated the sunshine, the good weather, my morning caffeine fix and breakfast without feeling the least bit deprived.

When I hit that level of contentment the idea of decluttering my life, buying less and putting away a little more of my money seems simple and obvious.  I don’t feel like I need new clothes, ice cream cones, far away vacations, concert tickets or dinners in restaurants.  Instead I crave time and flexibility.

Contentment Through Desiring Simple Things

I want more time with my SO, I can never seem to get enough, and the flexibility to just take a day off to spend together on impulse.  I want quality time with friends and family without errands nagging at the back of my mind.  I want time and flexibility to pursue project ideas that have sat idle for too long.

Contentment As A Means To Financial Independence

That time and flexibility is exactly what saving buys you once you reach financial independence in my mind.  Not that you would stop working, but that you could do so closer to your own terms and interests.  The contentment also enables you to cut your spending to increase your savings and reach the goal faster.

So I wonder if there’s a way to take this content mindset and extend it.  Take advantage of it for weeks, months, or even years.  It feels happy and good and would be good for me but I don’t know if I can make it last.

As I continue to work towards  my goal of graduating debt-free, feeling content with what I have becomes increasingly important and it will be even more important when I graduate so I don’t fall prey to lifestyle inflation.  Contentment, I think, is a great tool to combat frugal fatigue and burnout, something I’m worried about over the next two years.

Though I’ll be paying for my first year of business school in cash, I have a long way to go before I can be certain that it will be the same for the second.  A little extra saving and a little less temptation to spend would be helpful to me in my graduate student lifestyle.  Overall, I’m committed to keeping debt out of my life, it hinders the freedom, peace and contentment that I’m trying to achieve.

photo by Evgeni Dinev

Reader Questions:

  1. What brings you contentment in your life?
  2. Do you have moments where you appreciate the very basic comforts in your life?
  3. Do you think that feeling helps you be more frugal?
  4. How can I consistently appreciate what I have?

Filed Under: Personal Finance Tagged With: appreciate, basic, basics, bibles, content, contentment, Frugal, happiness

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