The best things in life are free.....or cheap.

     You know, I have come to the realization that "Living Simply" is really something that you either Love or Hate. When you are 'forced' to do it, you might resent others for having money or just being careless.  On the other hand, you might think of it as a blessing.  These days....it's a blessing.
    I have been a consumer....an extreme consumer. You know....buying just for the sake of buying (i still have a hard time controlling my VHS addiction). I'm talking about 'needing a new cell phone, television, gaming system, car, computer....etc just for the sake of buying.) Really? I needed a new car? I had a perfectly fine Aztec that I just HAD to have and then sold it because it only seated 5. Wait....there's now 5 people in my household. So WHY did I get a new car? I needed to make $400+ payments for 5 years. I needed a DVD player so that my youngest son doesn't know how to entertain himself in the car.  I needed a car that would get 17 mpg on the highway because 22mpg was just too good.  With that being said. You'll now notice that I am now driving a 1991 Volkswagen Cabriolet (yeah....convertible). It has Christian Hippie Stickers all over the back. It seats 4 with a weight limit of about 750lbs..... It also gets 31mpg and it cost me $1800. Do the math.  Driving the kids to 60 miles per day to and from school....doesn't take long for this sweet ride to pay for itself. (this is where simple and cheap come in).

      First Fridays Downtown....ice sculptures, fire dancers, hot chocolate....free? Wait....that's not all. I spent time with my family. I saw friends. Maximus dancing in the middle of the street. Priceless.  I'm grateful for times when the economy is the way that it is. It makes me stop and remember what is important. In all this time....God has NEVER let me down. Even in the storm.....especially in the storm, He is there.  I wouldn't call NOT having tons of expendable monies a storm. I would call it a beautiful sunny day. The last time I checked, the sun was free.