Im Tired of Being Broke So Why am I Smiling?

Im tired of being broke, I use the word “broke” to define what we are financially. It isn’t really a reflection of our actual bank account because we apply the key principles for not being actually “broke”Let me clear up the confusion. We are “broke” meaning that we no longer have disposable income. Disposable income is money that isn’t accounted for. That is a bit hard for me to deal with but the reason why is comforting so let me explain how we got to a place of once having a lot of disposable income and then I will tell you what we spent it on and our plan for achieving more disposable income.

Im Tired of Being Broke So Why am I Smiling?

1) We do not take on bills we can’t pay
2) We pay ourselves first
3) We have accounts that we do not touch and we don’t touch them
4) We save money where we can by:

Using money saving apps
a) Favado
b) Ebates
c) Retailmenot
d) Madame Deals coupon database
e) Groupon
f) Living social

I do have an account that is now empty and I feel broke. We have spent the last ten years filling this account. We have done things like said no to Disney , cut coupons, waiting to buy things until they were available with deep discounts, gone without, and frankly learned how to say no when we wanted to say yes. We have packed lunches, loaded my trunk with snacks to control cost, allowed each child one special activity, set a holiday budget of $100.00 per child, and not given into the newest toys. We have worked extra hours, lowered monthly bills, and I am still left with an empty account and I feel broke.

Im Tired of Being Broke So Why am I Smiling?

The reason why I am smiling about being broke is there is a very good reason why I am broke. We just paid of prepaid college for our third child. I am broke because of an accomplish. I will only be broke for a couple more hours. Then I will take some money from our paychecks and I will place it in that account which has now become the wedding account. I think being responsible and knowing what you are going to help with financially now makes your life easier. I am perfectly content living with less because I am in actuality living with more. I have more of the things that matter. I have time with my children instead of a fancy house. I have the ability to work at home and I  make crockpot  freezer meals  recipes instead of the luxury of going out every night but it is okay because I have time with my husband and children. I thrift shop with an occasional splurge at a high end designer. I am okay with that because my happiness comes from the people in my life not the things. I do not look or care about what we do not have because happiness isn’t found in things. I do not look at my neighbors and wish my circumstance were different than they are because I truly have the greatest gift possible and that gift is a true appreciation for all I have. I also find great joy in helping others to realize the gifts they have. I believe that inspiring others to believe in themselves is one of my gifts. I am smiling about being broke because we paid off college for our children and to me that sends a message to them that we think they can achieve their dreams and we are willing to alter ours a little to make that happen.

I hope you find your smile and are remind each day we are giving we have the ability to determine how we react. The quote is be the change you want to see in others… but do not forget it starts with you.

Read our Favorite posts

Daily Quotes of Inspiration

100 ways to help others for free

$100 dollar story

$5 Savings plan

Frugal Ways to Save Money: Getting Out of Debts

Savings Challenge: 52 Week Savings Plan