Because of adopting our son over five years ago, my husband and I had to really examine financial priorities. While it wasn’t a difficult decision for us (because we LOVE being parents, and it’s been the best thing in the whole world), we did have to sacrifice new things on the altar of parenthood. While most people don’t have to spend such a large amount outright to be parents, I’m here to encourage you with the fact that you don’t really need that new ___________ right now.
There are many times where I see people who live by their new this or that, and to me, it’s annoying at times, frankly. I want deep relationships that go beyond what my friends have or don’t have. Don’t get me wrong, I desire new things just like everyone else. We have just had to make some major adjustments to our lifestyle to become parents.
My van is a 2000, and I’ve noticed that newer cars have these AWESOME door handles. They’re big and chunky, and to be honest, NEW. There are definitely days where I look at my spotted up carpet in my van (Even AFTER hubby detailed it for me, and steam cleaned the carpets in the spring), and wish that I had something newer. However, there is a part of me that will miss the goldfish smashed into each crease of my seats, or the sticky juice (okay, it’s SODA actually) spilled almost DAILY on my floors.
I think this is because it took me so long to be a parent, and I cherish each thing that reminds me that my son is a part of my life. When I take a step back, I think about how it won’t matter what van I drove, because what my son will remember is the time we spent together. We all fall into the trap of comparing what we have to our friend or neighbor, but we shouldn’t linger there. At Debt Free Spending, we think it’s COOL to drive an old van, and if you get tempted to go buy that new _______, think back to this post, and cherish those you love in your heart, and remember, that nothing lasts forever. 🙂
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