Don’t Panic
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Larger economics have always been hard for me to grasp. However, I am finding it more and more difficult to stay silent. There is so much going on in the US economy that it just seems impossible to ignore it on my blog and the blogs I contribute to. I was all set to do a roundup of interesting links for my first Frugal Hacks post, but there is just too much going on in the US economic news to not say something specific. The elephant in the room is not only there, he is juggling flaming hoops and dancing!
We're living in interesting times, that's for sure. Some of the things that are being discussed by the higher ups who presumably know what is really going on has been very discouraging and scary. There are a lot of "what if" questions that do not seem to have guaranteed answers.
Frugality often calls on us not to panic. Thrift is all about creativity and making do with the situation that is presented to us, rather than the situation that we'd like to have. We often don't have control over the circumstances of our lives, so we work with what is given. I encourage you not to panic, no matter what comes. I hope that we can all rejoice in all things and face what is coming, good or bad, with gladness and thanksgiving in our hearts. In the meantime, there has never been a better time to learn to be thrifty! I'm glad that a frugal community exists to encourage each other, and also to teach those who have not given frugality a thought before. If things continue going as they are, frugality may enjoy an unheard of surge in popularity!
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7 Responses to “Don’t Panic”
September 30th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Hello!
Congratulations on your first post here. I really enjoyed what you had to say.
Granted, these are interesting times. It feels almost like we are on the edge of another great depression. However my husband and I are not fretting over it. A bonus of living a frugal lifestyle, I guess.
Thanks for sharing,
Trixie
http://farmhomelife.blogspot.com/
September 30th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
What I find interesting is that those of us who have tried to live frugally for several years (but are having to be even more frugal now) are in a position of mentoring those who are ‘young’ in the ‘faith’, so to speak. And in other circumstances, we may find ourselves ‘evangelizing’ the ‘lost’ in order to help them ’see’ the right path. A lot of correlations, but there are families out there who genuinely need this kind of help if they expect to survive these times intact.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:50 am
I’m feeling incredibly encouraged by our 30 Days of Nothing in September. We saved a significant amount of money without any substantial lifestyle changes, and our diet actually improved!
Frugality can be fun and rewarding, and a simpler lifestyle is not always a bad thing. I’m finding that line drying all of our clothes is not the challenge I expected, and I suspect that if my dishwasher were installed it might not save as much time as I once hoped.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:20 am
I often think people talk themselves into panicing and indeed in the news lately the words that are being used are designed to make people panic and eventually make things worse.
being frugal should be a way of life and it is so simple. Spend within your means, perhaps many will learn this over the coming months.
October 1st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Aren’t we blessed.
For those who have not discovered simpler living and the inner peace it gives you in times of financial turmoil – please do……………
Kim C – I beg to differ on the dishwasher, pack it at night (Hubby’s job) – unpack it in the morning (children’s job)
Otherwise, I would be running sinks full of water 5-6 times a day.
Now, I just run 1 maybe 2, much better for me, the environment, my hands and the pocket.
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:29 am
Agreed…don’t panic. I’m sure many people are scrambling and pulling money out of their 401k. Perhaps, though, pulling the money out at a low point. Of course, anything could happen, so it’s hard to give advice on what to do. It is clear, though, that selling investments in a hurry isn’t a great idea. Take some time to research and get advice before you “sell low”.
October 6th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Great article. I especially was struck by this comment: “Thrift is all about creativity and making do with the situation that is presented to us, rather than the situation that we’d like to have.”
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