People love to be negative and complain about their life, children, job, marriage, debt, or just about anything. Matter of fact, rarely do you find an advocate for contentment and thankfulness in our busy lives. Thank God we can choose to listen or tune out negativity and constant complainers. Whining and complaining doesn't change conditions, circumstances, or people. Only when we learn to be thankful and content regardless of the situation, by focusing on what is good in our lives, will things start to change.

Stop Negativity - Negative thoughts come every day, but choosing how you respond to them is the key. If negative thoughts control your daily behavior, think on whatever is good about your job, relationship, life, health, height, hair, weight, home, car, child, and finances. Then breath in, exhale, and relax! It’s a great feeling to be thankful and content. It puts you in a mindset of "counting your blessings."

Stop Competing - Contentment stops you from competing with friends, family, and co-workers. You can be frugal, content, and not care what others think or say. Contentment allows you to enjoy and appreciate what you have without feeling guilty and ashamed. Content individuals do not constantly chase after things, but prepares, and watch blessings and opportunities unfold in due season. Content people are happy for other’s success, joys, and accomplishments. Being content brings sound sleep, better health, less stress, and can save you a whole lot of money by just being satisfied and okay.

Be Thankful - Are you content with your spouse, singleness, home, car, earnings, gift, raise, or salary? Someone somewhere has it worst or better than you, but does it really matter? Are you thankful for what you do have? Can you be grateful in spite of your current situation? Situations get hard and feel hopeless at times, but no one said having a “thankful” heart is easy. Matter of fact, at times being thankful can seem nearly impossible, because life can bring some heavy unexpected blows. However, at the end of the day being thankful is what brings joy and strength.

Contentment Takes Time – Being a content person takes practice, patience, and perseverance. It means getting rid of the negative mindset, behaviors, and feelings, and replacing those negatives with feelings of fulfillment, satisfaction, and gladness. The journey to contentment involves taking small practical steps; practicing patience while waiting to hear God’s clear direction, and still persevering to reach your goal, destiny, and purpose.

Let me be very clear, being content doesn’t mean you’ve given up, stopped trying, or give in to feelings of failure. Contentment means you’re okay and alright until your opportunity, open-door, or blessing comes. One thing I know for sure, “A happy (content) heart makes the face cheerful.” Proverbs 15:13 – I couldn’t have said it better myself.

So, what about you, do you find it hard to be content?

I’m choosing to be happy no matter what the cost. Being happy is a learned process and behavior. It can be daunting at times. However, it is better then the alternative – misery. Sure everything isn’t perfect, and people and situations still get on my nerves. Nevertheless, I’m learning to take control of my emotions, feelings, and choices. No more will I allow them to determine my daily outcomes. Happiness is a choice and I choose to live and dwell in happiness.

It doesn’t mean my choice to be happy is easy. Matter of fact, at times it can be pretty darn hard. However, I’ve rearranged my life, home, and time to fit my new objective -- happiness. Wow, what a difference a day makes when your goal is to enjoy instead of destroy everything you’ve been blessed with.

When negative thoughts come I’m trying to dwell on what is good and pleasant in my life. When pessimistic feelings and emotions try to take a stronghold, I think about how I am so blessed to have my health, strength, and my “right” mind. I'm blessed to have my husband and daughter and to be here for them.

My happiness means I’m reading less of the news, and thank God I don’t have television to steal my hope, joy, and dreams. In spite of this economy and the doom and gloom that is presented to us daily, I can truly say I am content and happy. I love where I am in my life. I’m happy with my choices. And, I’m excited to wake up each day to see where my life-journey takes me. Happiness is truly a choice worth choosing.

What about you, are you happy?

This economy has made people rethink their priorities. People are now evaluating what is important in every area of their lives. Today, everyone knows someone or multiple people unemployed for the first time in their lives. With over 13.7 million people currently unemployed, no one knows who will be next. Individuals that never struggled or had a fear of losing what they worked their whole lives for, aren't sure how they can hold on to what they’ve got.

Foreclosures are at an all time high, and the numbers are increasing daily. Otherwise responsible people are walking away from their homes. Banks are so overwhelmed they are shirking their financial obligations, too. For the first time in countless people’s lives they now understand what use to be is no more, and that nothing is promised to last forever.

There is one bright spot in all of this economic mess. People are taking inventory of their lives, relationships, lifestyles, and money. For the first time some people are looking at their real needs and wants, and making sure their needs are actually met. The McMansions, leased luxury cars, and over priced restaurants are no longer a necessity, need, or want. Simpler, smaller, and sustainable is the new “in thing.” Working every hour for things that can disappear tomorrow are not so important.

Affordability, saving money, surviving daily, and trying to keep a balanced life has become high priority. People are going back to the basics of life. God, family, and then work is now important to many. Work is necessary to survive and live. God and family is what sustain us.

How has the economy changed you and your spending habits?

We have a Brother all in one fax, copier, scanner, and printer. It takes four different cartridges to work. When one goes out the whole machine stops. Yeah, that is right zero copies can be made. In other words the machine was made to force customers to purchase cartridges each and every time one cartridge is used up.

A few months ago, I happen to mention to my neighbor that we needed more cartridges for our copier. She has the same brand but a different model. I told her we usually pay around $14-15 for one cartridge. She then told me, she only paid $4.75 for her cartridges whether they are black or color.

I was skeptical and doubtful that it could be true, but she assured me she had been purchasing these recycled cartridges for years and they worked great. A month ago we purchased a black one. No problem, it worked and looked great. About 2-weeks ago, two of our color cartridges needed to be replaced. We went to the same company.

We received our color ink, 3-times cheaper, and it looks great. We are so happy. In all we paid $14.25 for 3-ink cartridges, instead of $42 or more for three. You cannot beat that savings anywhere. Plus, when we ordered shipping was FREE.

The name of the website to purchased black and colored cartridges to save money is: www.inksell.com.

Do you know any other places to get incredible prices on ink cartridges?

I use to love to talk on the phone and watch television. Of course that was before the Internet. Now, I could care less if I talk on the phone (if it isn't business related). We are strange, we do not have cable so we get zero channels on our TV. I could actually live without a phone and TV, but if I had to go without the Internet for just one day, OMG, no!

With the Internet, I get connected to people and they connect with me. I get all of my news both local and worldwide from the Internet. Of course, I get all my Hollywood gossip there too. The phone and television were previous distractions, but the Internet has to be apart of my life and I consider it a friend.

Plus, the Internet has saved me tons of money by researching and getting the best deals. It's a great place to check reviews, comparison shop, and get the best discounts and specials. I'm all about saving money. I find my recipes, restaurant reviews, vacation packages, pay my bills, do my banking, find my landscaper, plumber, electrician, and look for my doctor and dentist on the Internet. Additionally, it's on the Internet we have found our homes, keep track of the weather, look for free entertainment, and see what the traffic is like.

I don't have to eat out, go bowling, swimming, golfing, movies, or talk every day to everyone I know on the phone. Just give me my Internet and I will be just fine. I do not like to say addicted, but I don't think I can live without my friend the Internet.

What is it you cannot live without?

I've always cooked. However, now I'm cooking even more. Food has gotten expensive, so I continuously look for ways to save, cutback, and find better alternative ways to do things. There are three in my family. We spend around $300 a month on groceries, not including supplies. Not a little bit of money, but not a lot either. At this stage in my life I do not eat out much. Restaurant kitchens aren't always clean, neither are people's hands, and the luxury of dining out can add up. We probably eat out three times a month, spending around $30-40; using coupons at www.restaurant.com or www.diningperks.com.

Below is how we save money on groceries and cooking.

1. Have a set amount each week budgeted for groceries, and stay within the amount.
2. Shop for food one day a week. Go through cabinets and refrigerator for inventory. Create a weekly menu, and purchase according to what is on the menu.
3. My husband goes to Wal-Mart for most items and then to Kroger for fruits and vegetable one day a week, like clock work.
4. Once a month I order groceries from www.angelfoodministries.com. For $52 I get enough meat, vegetables, fruits, starches, eggs, and dessert to last a couple of weeks. For us, there is enough meat to last over a month or so. We aren't big meat eaters.
5. I cook on Sundays and Wednesday, only. I usually cook 2-3 vegetables on both days. Also, I mix up pasta, casserole, roast with potatoes and vegetables using lots of garlic and onions, on the other days.

The benefits of cooking at home:

a) Our gas bill is only $21 a month, because I cook only two days a week. Our stove is gas the rest is electric.
b) We have good food in a clean kitchen made with clean hands.
c) We save a fortune by eating at home.
d) We eat healthier because I'm cooking using fresh ingredients from scratch, and not boxed or processed foods.
e) We are able to enjoy a meal together as a family at the table and talk.


Are you cooking more? If so, how has it benefited you?

I love going to garage sales. I've learned that buying other's "junk" is my treasure.

This weekend my daughter and I went garage sale hopping. My husband packed us a cooler with water and snacks we went on our journey. Our sole purpose was to look for a few items for her room since we are redecorating it. There were so many garage sales my daughter said we were in "Garage sale heaven."

For $11.25 we walked away with the following: a floor lamp -$1.00, a fuchsia colored picture frame - $.25, DVD player - $5.00, pink book holders from Bombay and Company - $4, hair blow dryer - $.25, bulletin board w/diamonds around it - $.25, insulated lunch bag w/shoulder strap - $.25, and a black wood 14" x 20" picture frame - $.50

We probably saved $150-$200 by purchasing items at garage sales. The plus, everything was in like-new condition.

When is the last time you went to a garage sale? Did you get great bargains?

We are selling our rental property. Yeah, yeah, yeah the economy, housing, lending and everything sucks, but I don't care. My trust is in God. Okay, so I've sold all four of our homes by myself in the past and never had a problem.

This time, I was thinking of using a realtor because I now work and felt I probably wouldn't have the time. But when I found out the fee was 6% and that would cost $10,000, I said, "I will take the time to sell my home myself."

I kept asking the realtor, so what exactly do you do that I can't do? We make flyers, show your home, and market it. Well, okay, I can do all that for less than $10,000. Nobody know and cares about my house more than me.

So our tenants move out officially tomorrow. I will get some work done in the next week, and then the house will go on the market. Yeah, the economy sucks but who cares. I'm excited, I have a new challenge to sell our home. I can't wait to see what happens, can you?

I went to the Dollar Store yesterday, and was shocked to hear the cashier, while ringing people up, screaming for the manager -- loud. The manager came, and the cashier told him a worker was driving up in the parking lot, and she was 20 minutes late. Then loudly she continued to complain about the worker, while ringing up customers, and told the manager to call the worker on her cell phone to turn around and go home. For a few minutes they both argued about who should call her, while she continued to ring up her customers. Finally, the manager went into a little office with no ceiling, called the worker -- yelling, and told her to turn her car around and go home. He said, "This time he wasn't playing."

By the time he came out I was in the cashier's line. She now was on her cell phone, while ringing up customers, loudly talking to someone saying how tired she was since she started work at 5:00 a.m. Of course, she had to tell the person on her cell phone about the worker that was 20 minutes late, and how she had to now work double shift and how unhappy she was. Then she told the person on the phone she would call them back in 10 minutes, because she had a long line of customers waiting for her. I was the third and last person in her line.

The cashier is now breathing hard, signing, huffing, puffing, and just plain irritable as we stand in her line. Once the cashier was off the cell phone, she asked the manager about his conversation with the late or fired worker. Then they talked about how trifling she was for always being late. They stated that traffic lights and getting gas is no excuse, and those things are apart of getting to work on time.

When I got to her I said, "Wow...Looks like you've had a really rough day. You've been here since 5:00 a.m.; you must be really tired, huh? I really hope your day gets better and you get some rest. Have a great day."

Geez, and retailers are wondering why they are losing business?

Thanksgiving was wonderful as usual. We went to Augusta, GA to spend time with my 4 brothers and sisters, and eight nieces and nephews that live in Georgia. The rest of my brothers and sisters (3) and parents live in Oregon/Washington area. Anyway, our tradition each year in Georgia is to spend Thanksgiving in Augusta at my sister's home. Like usual, we ate so much and it was so good. We all spent the night, woke up early, and cooked a huge breakfast. The breakfast, like usual, was incredible. What I love most is just the hanging out, laughing, talking, reminiscing, and time with a fun and loving family.

Then I started thinking about how thankful I am for the little things in my life. For my husband of 16 years, our daughter, a job, our homes, good health, food, transportation, a loving extended family, healthy parents, clothes, and money to pay bills. I'm just "thankful" for blessings that so many do not have. Yes, the blessings seem simple and basic, but what if you didn't have them? Yes, I am truly thankful that I'm thankful. And in this economy that is saying a whole lot!

Today is my 16th year anniversary and my daughter's 11th birthday. We actually celebrated my daughter's birthday yesterday and had a great time. We took her to see High School Musical 3, had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, took her shopping for clothes, and brought her two finches as pets. Okay, that is way more than we usually spend on birthdays, but she's doing so good as a home schooler and becoming so responsible. We decided to do more than less.

Okay, so today is my anniversary, 16 wonderful years that went incredibly fast. My husband said, "Let's just give each other the gift of time." I thought what a wonderful idea -- time. And, it's free. So we have been enjoying the day reminiscing, laughing, talking, and just having "together" time, ah.

What I know for sure, having all the money in the world or receiving the most expensive gifts will not bring me happiness or keep a happy marriage and home.

Ah, the "simplicities of life" really do work!

I've worn Mary Kay products since I was 17 years old. I've loved their makeup, skincare, and even perfumes for years. However, while evaluating my financial priorities and needs and wants, I'm staying focused on what is real important.

Yes, I need makeup, pretty skin, and to smell good, but also I need to re-evaluate if I can get all those things and save money too. I can and have!

Thank God I've found alternative products that I am happy with that have saved me a fortune. You know every penny really does count. I don't think my face and body knows the difference. They're just happy someone takes the time to care. Thank you Wal-Mart and Sally's Beauty Supply!

What changes have you made to save money on makeup and skincare products?

Do you live your life saying, "I'll be happy when?" One thing I know for sure, happiness is a choice and so is worrying.

Regardless of our current economic crisis, I have made the decision to be happy and continue to enjoy life. Yes, we have lost plenty of money, too. However, I've been there and done that before. The season passed, we kept on living, and continued to save. You just do what you can do, right?

When you realize that you have absolutely no control of what will happen in the world and even your life, you just learn to ask God for his favor and blessings.

In spite of the economy I am happy and not worrying. I am doing better than some and worst then others, but I'm happy and okay with life and me. Are you?

The end of the year is almost here. All through the year my family collect things that are still in good condition, but we have outgrown, do not need or want. We give our items to the Goodwill.
The great part, we are helping someone in need and we also get a tax deduction.

What do you do with items you do not want? Do you give them to others in need?