The Upside to Not Having Buckets of Money

One thing about Chicago winters, I tend to spend much more time indoors. I look around the house and start to think of things I'd like to change or improve. One of the things that occurred to me in January was that I really should shorten the curtains in the dining room to let in more light. That was a reasonably affordable project so I went ahead with it.

Since I'm not independently wealthy, I usually can't do many of the things I want to do at any given moment. I have to wait.

Waiting for things is not always such a bad thing. It gives one time to realize if you really do want them. Case in point, our kitchen remodel, which we thought about for a few years before we actually undertook it. We planned ahead and when it was time to select materials and colors, we had no angst. We knew exactly what we wanted.

Not having tons of money also cuts down on impulse purchases. I've seen plenty of examples of people who will buy something - just because they can. I am convinced this is something to be avoided at all costs. The outcome of such impulse buying is inevitably an overcrowded garage or basement or a closet where shoes constantly fall on your head (been there done that!)

With all the focus more and more on being green and recycling and reuse etc... I find myself trying to think more long term about what I buy. And of course, living in an older home with smaller closets and less space in general makes one more likely to think, "Do I have room for this item?" This can only be a good thing...