Q: My husband and I have “filet mignon tastes,” although our current incomes are more on the “hamburger” level. We both work full-time and are trying to pay off debt while looking for better jobs. It’s exhausting – do you have any ideas?
Graeme: I think your scenario is pretty common. The money comes in, the money goes out, and for a lot of us there’s not much left over when it’s all said and done. It’s a never-ending cycle that leaves many families wondering how to get ahead when they’re barely keeping up.
Far too many people can only think of one solution to that problem: make more money. A little extra cash may ease some of our immediate stress, but it usually isn’t a long-term solution for debt. That’s because the more money we earn, the more we’re likely to elevate our standard of living. But more stuff means more spending, and around it goes. It’s little wonder that couples at all income levels – even the wealthy – often feel the squeeze of debt.
Ultimately, there’s only one solution that works. That is to learn how to live on less than what we make, no matter our income level. Admittedly, that can require some tough choices that force us to dig deep, sacrifice, and change long-ingrained habits. On one end of the financial scale, it may mean downsizing our home or selling a car. On the smaller end, maybe we choose to eat out less or limit our entertainment choices.
Living within our means might not fill our lives with material luxury. But it will give us a different kind of luxury that’s priceless: contentment and peace instead of stress.
Q: I’m getting close to retirement but I don’t feel “old.” Still, I’m slightly concerned about how leaving the workforce might affect me. Do you have any thoughts?
Graeme: The late actor, George Burns – who lived to be 100 – once said, “You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” I think his point was that aging gracefully requires learning how to navigate a few challenges along the way.
If we live long enough, each of us will eventually experience some painful seasons of life – an empty nest, the death of a loved one, or perhaps the necessity of leaving a home that’s filled with memories. Those are significant moments that involve processing very real grief.
That’s why it’s critical to learn healthy ways to deal with difficult life changes. Surround yourself with supportive people who will come alongside you in your struggles. The opposite facet is just as important: be careful about people who bring too much negativity to your life. Perhaps they’re critical or try too hard to “fix” you and your circumstances. You might need to distance yourself from influences like that.
Meanwhile, an often-overlooked factor is that basic self-care can help minimise stress levels more than many people think. So be sure to get plenty of rest and exercise.
Hopefully, you have many productive years ahead of you – you’ll just be “producing” in a different way. Along those lines, there’s immeasurable, life-giving value in finding ways to invest your time-won wisdom in younger generations through church, community groups, and other venues.
Whether we live to 100 or not, our lives can still be rich and fulfilling if we accept that even unwelcome change is an opportunity to grow. A positive and hopeful attitude is key to thriving in the new seasons of life that inevitably come along.
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