The One Gift I Am Giving Myself…

The one gift I am giving myself is…

The house is humming with Christmas music playing in the background.  Mom is straightening up the ornaments on the tree.  Suddenly, her husband calls for her to come outside.  She grabs her beautiful black wool coat and on-trend buffalo plaid scarf and heads out to meet her family.

The kids are joyfully playing in the snow with a perfect snowman standing nearby.

Her husband quickly places his hand around her eyes so that the surprise isn’t ruined. He gently guides her around the corner of their home… toward the driveway.

As he releases his hand from her eyes he proceeds to hand her THE key (fob) while everyone yells “Merry Christmas”.  In the driveaway sits a brand new car with a cherry red bow on top.

Everyone hugs in joyfulness as the owner takes a seat in their new automobile.

[End scene.]

Have you seen some form of this commercial over the holiday season?

There’s probably a small percentage of people that will actually get a car as a gift but advertisements, throughout the year,  are full of ideas on how we can treat ourselves and our loved ones. We are told to splurge and we are “worth it”.  And ad agencies are quick to show us all the products that will show love to our friends and family.

Just during the Christmas season, the average American spends $1,536 in 2018 according to Fortunly.com

• 51% buy gifts for themselves, and according to muchindeed.com the average shopper will spend over $100 on themselves during the holiday shopping season.
• 22% of Americans believe their Christmas spending will leave them in debt. 
• 19% of Americans spend their money on completely unplanned purchases.

Outside of Christmas, the average consumer debt, per household, is $8,640 (balance.com)

Given the fact that we have personally worked so hard to get out of consumer debt, we are not anxious to get back to those chains.  (You can read about the start of our debt journey here and when we finished here.)

Well, I decided I couldn’t agree with them more…I AM WORTH IT!

I am giving myself financial peace this holiday season and beyond.

The car I drive is a 2005 Toyota Sienna Mini Van, base model.  It’s been bought and paid for. Our kids are grown and pretty much flown which means we really don’t need a minivan anymore although it does come in handy for junkin.  It has cracks, chips, dents, and zip ties holding on the hubcaps.  There is no USB or rearview camera.  It even has a tape deck in it!!! BUT this car is comfortable,  turns on a dime, and did I mention paid for?  In the depths of my heart, I am grateful for a comfortable running and a paid-for vehicle.  It’s a blessing! I am not talking myself into it.  I really am content!

Contentment is the greatest form of wealth. – Acharya Nagarjuna

I have decided I am worth more than a new jacket, my hair color, or a new perfume. I am worth more than the car I drive or the presents I give.

May no gift be too small to give, nor too simple to receive, which is wrapped in thoughtfulness, and tied with love. – L.O. Baird

Rarely are the gifts that mean the most cost the most.  They are often the ones that took the most amount of thought behind it. Here are just a few of our reader’s most memorable gifts:

• A surprise visit from a loved one
• Lunch with an old friend
• Favorite pie – homemade
• An antique handed down from generation to generation
• A memory quilt

It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into gifting. – Mother Teresa

Homemade gifts, gifts from the heart, and TIME are often so needed this time of year especially since Christmas Confessions:  Half of American adults receive unwanted gifts. So why are we getting into debt over presents again?

Here are some other ways I am giving myself financial peace all year long:

• Budgeting -Planning for purchases, even gifts, and having the money to pay for them.
• Building savings accounts.  Start saving for Christmas and purchases.  Who remembers Christmas savings accounts (club)?  And yes, you can still do lay-a-ways at some stores.
• Making do… which is why we do what we do on this site.  We have done some great projects on our home but there are some parts of this house you never see.  Don’t even get me started on our shower closet that’s held together with a PVC pipe.  When that pipe comes apart, which is pretty regularly, it’s a “fun” experience. Plus, we keep our stuff longer (repair it), toss less, reuse, etc.
• Thoughtful gifting – Giving more than just gifts – give ourselves.
• Say no to some things so you can say yes to others.  We had to say no to a lot of things to say yes to one big thing and it was totally worth it (future post coming on this…stay tuned).
• Contentment – I don’t know if it’s age or life experience or what, but having more contentment has been such a lifesaver. There is so much joy in being content! Less pressure on yourself and others.

Gifting yourself financial peace is such a blessing to yourself and your family, but you won’t see much advertising on it.  There’s not a lot of money in contentment. Believe me though… YOU ARE WORTH IT!

Measure your wealth not by the things you have, but by the things for which you would not take money. – Dave Ramsey

SALVAGE POSTS

Thanks for stopping by today.  Our goal is to help make the most with whatever you have by sharing budget-friendly, time-saving, and reusing/DIY ideas for all parts of your home and life.  If you enjoyed this Giving Myself Finacial Peace post, we would appreciate a share on any social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.  Plus, don’t forget to follow us as we share even more ideas on each account. Here are a few more posts we think you will enjoy:

• Pod Container Pumpkin Centerpiece Upcycle
• 13 Creative Ways to Reuse Dryer Lint
• DIY Gift Wrap From Magazines

Giving Myself Financial Peace Disclaimer – We are NOT saying don’t treat yourself, buy a new car, or get a new lipstick.  We ARE saying, find some financial peace by living within your means, giving yourself instead of getting into debt this holiday season, and tuning out the large cries to tell you that need something to make yourself better.  You are a rockstar and loved.  The joy you will feel from living financial peace will outway the things you can’t or choose not to buy. And yes, we have ads on our site as it’s the only way we can keep all of our content for free.  Remember, it’s our choice to buy or not.