Don't Have a Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget

I see it more and more these days. People who have nothing to their name trying to keep pace with their neighbors. Why is this? Maybe it is the basic instinct inside us all to want to be the best. But if you can't afford the best, stop trying to get the best.

I've seen it time and time again. It happens in every city and state in the United States and beyond. People will spend what they don't have just to make other think that they do have it. How is this possible? How can you spend more than you make?

The recent rise and ultimate downfall of the housing market sure helped. I personally know an individual (and NO, it's not me) that took out a line of equity on his house for $300,000.00. He always had cash on him and was always a free spender. Problem is, now that the housing boom has turned into a bust and the personal ATM that was the household has been closed, he is left with NOTHING to show for it. The credit line is maxed and he still only makes $30,000 per year. But like with every tab, eventually it gets called in.

By now you are probably starting to get a clearer picture of why this country is facing record foreclosures and a credit crisis that has never before been witnessed. It is because of these actions, that congress is trying to enact a 700 BILLOIN DOLLAR bailout, to help many of the banks that gave loans to people who had no business getting them in the first place. But what's the alternative?

First and foremost, STOP caring what others think of you. How can others be expected to like you if you don't like yourself? Try to find the good in what you currently have. If you can only afford Burger King with your family on the weekend, then be happy you can afford that and don't worry that you can't afford outback. Just remember, every time you swipe that credit card for the sake of looking good you will eventually have to pay for that swipe and pay you will WITH INTEREST.

Ultimately what you will find in life is that if you learn to be happy with what you have, and then everything that happens to you turns into a blessing. If you can only afford beer, then sip and swirl it as though it were champagne. If you can only afford burgers and fries, then savor those burgers and fries as though it was filet mignon. Then when one of your ritzy friends, that cares more about what you think rather that their budget, invites you and your family out for that champagne and filet mignon you can enjoy it that much more knowing it won't be costing you 18% or more in interest.

Once you learn this simple lesson your life will begin to feel better. You will better about yourself. And the people around you will like you because you like yourself. Life is what you make of it whether you drink champagne or beer; it's all just a perception.