Chapter 12

8 Ways To Ignore The Jones And Live Better!

I tried to keep up with the Joneses at a very high cost

But my savings and credit weren't my only loss,

I could soon tell

My common sense escaped as well

When I found the truth to be

The Jones were in the same boat as me.

I saved this subject for last. Learning to live better on less money is as much an attitude as it is finding good deals.

If you took the time to read this far, don't blow it by rushing through this chapter.

The previous chapters have shown you how to buy more with less money - and how to avoid getting ripped off. This chapter shows you how to develop the right attitude and the importance of appreciate what you have.

Why would I write a book on "Living better on less money" then tell you to appreciate what you have now? Isn't that a contradictory purpose? Of course not.

In fact, the two thoughts compliment each other.

Why? Because having the ability to appreciate what you have will free you to spend smarter.

It's not being able to appreciate what you have that makes you an impatient buyer.

Impatient buyers are more prone to make bad buying decisions. For example, impatient buyers are less likely to comparison shop, negotiate or walk away from overpriced products and services.

On the other hand the person who has a patient " I can take it or leave it attitude" will always get the best deals. Why? Because they can wait for price breaks.

Yes, they can comparison shop or even buy out of season when prices hit rock bottom.

The ability to appreciate what you have will instantly free you from the "have to have it now attitude". The "have to have it now attitude" is what fuels the insane profits of credit card companies and corporate merchants.

Keeping up with the Jones is a phrase coined to describe those people who haven't developed the ability to appreciate what they have. So, as a result they try to keep up with what other people posses.

You don't have to be poor or middle class to yearn to keep up with the Jones or fail to appreciate what you have.

Millionaires and other people of high social and financial status can also lack the ability to appreciate what they have.

Take note of the number of so-called rich and famous who live empty lives, despite

staggering wealth.

So, in the final analysis it's not what you have - it's your attitude toward it, whether it's a little or a lot.

The ability to appreciate what you have doesn't mean you shouldn't work to achieve more in life. It simply means you shouldn't have to wait to have them to be happy, full-filled and thankful.

Appreciate what you have now and you'll be more likely to achieve more, with less stress.

Here is 8 Tips To Help You Appreciate More So You Can Have More.

1. Make A Count Your Blessings List.

If it's good enough for Oprah Winfrey isn't it worth a try? She's talked about her list for years and it doesn't seem to be hurting her success.

Now sit down with a clean pad of paper and a pen.

Just start writing everything you have to be thankful for.

Don't make the mistake of thinking something is too small or minor to list.

For example,

• Do you have your health? Write it down.
• Do you have a roof over your head? Write it down.
• Can you swallow without pain? Write it down.
• Can you hold food in your stomach without pain? (Think about it, millions of people can't because of ulcers, stomach cancer and other ailments) Write it down.

Get the idea? Put everything that comes to mind (especially the little things).

Now place the list by your nightstand, on your bathroom mirror or refrigerator and read through it everyday.

Soon you'll find yourself adding to it. You'll discover a feeling of empowerment growing inside you. Your problems will seem smaller and your attitude will start to soar as if by magic.

Don't just sit there get a pen and blank piece of paper and start listing everything you have to be thankful for now.

Are you still reading this? Stop reading now and start writing and don't stop until you've listed at least 10 items. You'll soon experience the benefits very soon.

If you completed the above exercise, congratulations! You're well on your way to feeling better about yourself however you may have felt before.

If you didn't do the exercise, shame on you. You've just cheated yourself. It's a sure indication that you're taking many things and people for granted.

You could literally be cheating yourself by not learning how to appreciate what you have.

2. Making a count your blessing list on a regular basis will keep you aware of all the blessings and advantages that surround you.

If more people had a count your blessings list - there would be less need for psychiatrist, doctors and divorce lawyers.

3. Avoid the habit of taking the little things that surround you for granted.

4. Avoid labeling what you have as unimportant, small or superficial.

5. Learn to appreciate the little things in life, a chirping bird, a glowing sunset, the aroma of fresh bread baking or friendly laughter.

6. Realize appreciating the simple things in life helps us cope with life's trials and difficulties. Plus it's free and can last a lifetime. What a bargain!

7. Learning to appreciate what you have is one of the best ways to live better on less money.

8. If you can learn to appreciate what you have, you're already rich. If you can't, you're that much poorer no matter how much money you have in the bank.

Would rich people laying in hospital beds tonight trade there wealth for health?

What do you think.

If you can take one idea and apply it to make your life better that would be my greatest reward. Now that you have the information the rest is up to you to put into action.

In parting I'd like to leave you with this thought I've placed in the container

of a poem. Reminding you that your actions are seeds, the seeds of a better life

you plant each day. Remember ...

Your Actions Are Seeds

Your actions are seeds you plant each day.

Your Actions Are Seeds ...

With what you think do and say.

Your Actions Are Seeds ...

That determine your future.

Your Actions Are Seeds ...

They alone tell if you'll endure.

Your Actions Are Seeds ...

It's how others accurately judge you.

Your Actions Are Seeds ...

Because it's not what you say, but what you do.

Your Actions Are Seeds ...

That determine your failure or success.

Your Actions Are Seeds ...

So when you plant them plant your best.

Your Actions Are Seeds

Don't take little things in life for granted.

Your Actions Are Seeds ...

Because results you get - grow from what you've planted!