Breaking the habit of discontentment
I was recently asked what the most difficult habit to break was as I started getting my finances in order. I think for me, it was breaking the habit of discontentment. I used to see something I wanted and I would want it so bad that I would not be happy until I got it.
It has taken a while to break this bad habit and replace it with a good one, but I really believe it has been one of the most valuable moves I made as far as my finances go. Even though it is still something I fight like everyone else, the progress made so far has been tremendously valuable.
Discontentment is rampant in the U.S. culture and increasing in other parts of the world. The Bible says that they eyes of a man are never satisfied (Pro 27:20), so getting more stuff is not the cure, but actually the source of the problem.
As creatures of habit, if we are used to getting whatever we want, it will just make it that much harder to tell ourselves NO. But, if we are not programmed to get a new car every other year, a new wardrobe each season, or a bigger house to show our friends up, then it will much easier to be content with what we have.
My lack of contentment was also what was driving me to spend more than I earned. I was earning more than enough to live a nice life, but yet I wasn’t content with what I had. I wanted more.
It wasn’t until I started slapping myself around a bit and telling myself NO, that I began to actually be thankful for what I had. I was finally enjoying the things I had, rather than just chasing after the newest toy on the market.
Ok, so that was my bad habit, what was/is yours? What’s been your most difficult financial habit to break?
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Dining out is a constant battle for my husband and I. This is the one area in our budget that is the hardest for us to control. Although I love to cook, we love to eat out and try new restaurants. Over the years, we have tried various ways of maintaining this “obsession” – envelope method, writing on a calendar when we eat out, meal planning, etc. We are doing better but I would say it’s our worst habit.
In the world of personal finance, making a little cut back here and a saving there is all very well, but the big imporvements are made when you combine this frugality with maximising your earnings.
I’ve been very good at cutting back but not so good at maximising my earnings.
I’ve been a bit “penny wise/ pound foolish”
i think the ugly head of materialism continues to creep up in my life. You are so right that discontentment lies at the heart of it, but sometimes i wonder if i have not filled my life with enough “eternity-investing” activities that i am so “bored” to need temporary distractions that such material things can provide.
@Dana
we have the same love of going out to eat – the entertainment book has been the biggest help for us in this area
@Uncommon
great point, people often forget that their most valuable tool in building wealth is their income
@Pochax
that is an interesting question – I don’t think most people have that problem, but I guess it is a good problem to have?
Since I moved to Australia and having been taken up with preaching duties, I’ve found myself spending a lot less and desiring a lot less. I’m not sure why, but spending is definitely a habit which ought to broken. If Christ is our hope of glory, it’s sad that we so easily become content with the temporal.
Thanks for provoking thought.
Armen,
you bring up a good point – if we really have our eyes fixed on things of eternal value, much of what we spend money on just isn’t that interesting anymore…
I haven’t bought a entertainment book in years – thanks for the reminder!!! We have cut the cost down a little by only ordering water, no dessert and making the kids share a meal. They would never eat all the food if we got them each a plate. I’ll have to look into the book again.
The habit of buying what I want and not what I need.
That is so hard to break.
You bet I’m discontented!
I’m discontented because I rent a room in a house with NINE other people…and pay more than half my poverty-level income for rent.
I’m discontented because unless I somehow increase my income I will probably never be able to retire…and since under the most optimistic scenario Social Security will not provide enough to live on, when I can no longer work I will be destitute.
Wouldn’t you be discontented?