So I was listening to NPR this morning, and they were talking about the poverty level of our country. They stated that number of American families dipping into the poverty level is growing. Then they asked, Are you better off than you were 4 years ago.
As I pondered that questions, I realized that this question covers way more than the financial aspect of our lives. Are we better off in our job situations. Is our family unit as strong or stronger than 4 years ago. Are we as happy or happier than we were 4 years ago. A lot happens in 4 years. To base if we are better off than 4 years ago soley on finances seems kind of shallow.... Life is so much more than debt and savings.
I feel that I am better off than I was in most ways. I have had a few down moments, but with each down, I learned how to get back up. In the last four years I bought a new house, had a baby, lost a job, found a job, ended a contract on that job, found an AMAZING job, lost my mother, added my father to my household, sent a child to college, sent another to high school, and yet another to preschool. My life is blessed in so many ways.
Without the 'bad', I can't appreciate the good. Without losing my job back in 2009, I wouldn't have been able to spend precious time with my mother before she died. Mixed blessing. I was also able to spend an extra 6 months at home with Caleb after he was born. Time I would NEVER had gotten back.
We will most likely always have some kind of debt...our hopes for some savings is still there. Are we better off than we were 4 years ago? We have jobs. We have a roof over our head, food in the fridge and clothes in the closet. We have been blessed with healthy children, our own health is good. I would say that we are about the same, or better than 4 years ago.
As I pondered that questions, I realized that this question covers way more than the financial aspect of our lives. Are we better off in our job situations. Is our family unit as strong or stronger than 4 years ago. Are we as happy or happier than we were 4 years ago. A lot happens in 4 years. To base if we are better off than 4 years ago soley on finances seems kind of shallow.... Life is so much more than debt and savings.
I feel that I am better off than I was in most ways. I have had a few down moments, but with each down, I learned how to get back up. In the last four years I bought a new house, had a baby, lost a job, found a job, ended a contract on that job, found an AMAZING job, lost my mother, added my father to my household, sent a child to college, sent another to high school, and yet another to preschool. My life is blessed in so many ways.
Without the 'bad', I can't appreciate the good. Without losing my job back in 2009, I wouldn't have been able to spend precious time with my mother before she died. Mixed blessing. I was also able to spend an extra 6 months at home with Caleb after he was born. Time I would NEVER had gotten back.
We will most likely always have some kind of debt...our hopes for some savings is still there. Are we better off than we were 4 years ago? We have jobs. We have a roof over our head, food in the fridge and clothes in the closet. We have been blessed with healthy children, our own health is good. I would say that we are about the same, or better than 4 years ago.
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