Little things that make you feel rich - Page 6

[ArtsyMomma]

My worst feeling financial moment was a few summers ago, we were at the state park and my kids asked for snow cones. It would have been $3, just $3, but I couldn't afford it and going to the park was supposed to be a treat. I felt so terrible. Now, when we stop and get ice cream, my heart just lights up!

There are other things too....

New socks, especially squishy ones!

Books, curling up by the fire and reading a good book (somehow...the kindle doesn't have the same effect)

Hardwood floors

Peepers, birds, other country sounds. Not hearing traffic, or people shouting.

Knitting, especially with a nice wool

[*bejeweled*]

[quote name="ArtsyMomma" url=Now, when we stop and get ice cream, my heart just lights up!

[caiesmommy]

Most of mine have already been mentioned

Good tea 

Groceries/full fridge/cupboards 

The one big thing that makes me feel rich is

free health care!

I dont know how we could have afforded the medical bills of three children. I was in and out of hospital during my last pregnancy. I would never ever have been able to afford the bills. Its an amazing feeling walking out of the e.r. w a sick child and not worrying about how to pay the bill. 

[Honey693]

We moved a few months ago and decided to paint 3 rooms at once.  I was at Menard's freaking out b/c we needed more paint than I thought and then it hit me that just b/c we had to buy a few more gallons of paint it didn't mean we were going to have to eat rice and beans or something for dinner every night.  Even though I've been out of college for 5 years sometimes I still feel like I'm back in college and broke.

[Zan&Zav]

Vanilla flavored coffee cream, being able to say yes to the kids for a silly treat, NEW SOCKS

[dovemama]

Originally Posted by ArtsyMomma 

My worst feeling financial moment was a few summers ago, we were at the state park and my kids asked for snow cones. It would have been $3, just $3, but I couldn't afford it and going to the park was supposed to be a treat. I felt so terrible. Now, when we stop and get ice cream, my heart just lights up!

This is awesome and made me so happy. I am in that "no 3 dollars" thing right now, & am looking so forward to these days.

[Poddi]

Originally Posted by ArtsyMomma 

My worst feeling financial moment was a few summers ago, we were at the state park and my kids asked for snow cones. It would have been $3, just $3, but I couldn't afford it and going to the park was supposed to be a treat. I felt so terrible. Now, when we stop and get ice cream, my heart just lights up!

There are other things too....

New socks, especially squishy ones!

Books, curling up by the fire and reading a good book (somehow...the kindle doesn't have the same effect)

Hardwood floors

Peepers, birds, other country sounds. Not hearing traffic, or people shouting.

Knitting, especially with a nice wool

Parents' guilt often run deeper than the children can remember.  My parents bought their house after I left home so I never really lived there.  They planted lots of fruit trees.  One of them produce the sweetest juiciest plums.  Once I was eating them while visiting and my dad said I hope you'll forgive me now.  I was like "What?  forgive what?"  He said when I was little (probably 6 or 7) he took me to a park, on the way out there's a farmer's market selling all sorts of produce.  I wanted some red plums, but money was so tight he didn't buy any.  Apparently he never forgot that in the next 30 years.

I never felt poor when I was little, and didn't really expect treats. 

I probably would have said no to the kids as well, and it's not because I can't afford it.  I know plenty of "rich" parents who don't buy those treats or extras for their children.  Don't feel bad about it.

[jenn1970]

I am also one of those people who just feels so much better when the pantry is full.  Then I know that even if we have to go for many days without the money to buy anything, at least my kids won't be hungry and we can manage.  We have never missed a meal and that makes me feel very blessed.

Today for snack we had hot-from-the-oven oatmeal bread with homemade butter and glasses of milk.  It was so good my kids and I polished off over half of one of the loaves, and I ended up setting dinner back until 7:15 because none of us were hungry at 6:00 when we usually eat.  And as silly as that sounds, that makes me feel "rich."

[KayleeZoo]

I found this old thread and it lifted my spirits to read what everyone said...I truly live a very good life, but a few things in particular make me feel "rich"

*having DH tell me to choose a vehicle (on Carmax, so used, but still new to me!) that has all the features I *want* (heated leather seats, really good sound system, Hybrid, etc).
* knowing that I can go to Costco and buy something that isn't on the list and really isn't a necessity, like Starbucks hot cocoa mix or new mixing bowls
* being able to keep the house at a comfortable temperature- if I am having a chilly day, I can turn the heat up and not worry about the extra cost. Having AC in the summer and keeping it on 24/7
*being able to buy my preteen the clothes that are "in". I know it's not a necessity, but it means a lot to have Hollister hoodies in 7th grade these days.

What makes you feel "rich", no matter what your financial situation is?

[justmama]

I was thinking about this thread the other day.  I liked it too!

HOUSE PLANTS!!!!!  SO not a necessity.  But fun all the same.  We have ours all named silly things(Sheila the purple shamrock, Herman the norfolk pine, Jerry the bean plant,etc) and watering them and repotting and moving them with the sunlight through the winter makes me feel rich.  My house looks like a jungle right now with regular houseplants plus overwintered herbs and kale and new seedlings started for the spring/summer.

[wildmonkeys]

Pictures of my kids :)

Coffee. Wine. Water. Real OJ. Sometimes Diet Coke - I am a thirsty girl!

My awesome public library and all the stuff I get there!

We moved to a "better" school district a few years ago and with our new mortgage and bigger space - we were keeping it really cold the last few years and not having winter company...Now we are at an even 60 and bumping it up to warmer for visitors. It has been nice to be cold, but not freezing this winter.

Also, we aren't really meat eaters, but my kids love them some shellfish. Every so often, rolling out a bit of shrimp (even $5 at walmart placed into a meal like jambalaya) makes me feel like I am preparing them to order off a full menu ;)

Edited by wildmonkeys - 3/11/13 at 8:06pm

[easydoesit]

Getting a large popcorn at the movies.
 

[accountclosed15]

Curtains- the kinds that are lined and have some great embroidery on them. We moved so often in the military that I resorted to all white that I just used in every house we rented. Now that I am stable, I bought some really nice curtains. They have a moroccan/batik flair to them and I love them dearly. :)

Being able to fill my cart with fruits/vegetables.

Pretty plants and pots for them. :)

Edited by accountclosed15 - 3/12/13 at 3:44pm

[nstewart]

- Going grocery shopping and not having to keep my purchases under X dollars for the week

- Being able to cover all my expenses and still putting $$ towards debt

- Being able to plan a family vacation!

[LoveOurBabies]

Great thread.

For things that I can buy, the list would be:

-Going to the seafood shop and saying 'I want 1lb of this and 1lb of that...' without worrying that I'm creating a hole our grocery budget.

-Being able to purchase those high quality wooden toys for my children. We don't have a lot of toys, but what we do have is nice and will go the distance.

-Being able to buy tickets for a show or the circus (circus tickets are $20 each here). We do this once a year.

-Being able to buy a book on a whim (once or twice a month).

-Spending a day out in the greatest city in the world ;) and not worrying about the parking fees or the $5 icecream the kids ask for.

There are many other things in life that make me feel rich, but cannot be purchased. I'll leave that list for another day. :)
 

[mamarhu]

Books I haven't read yet

Books I have read, and look forward to giving away

Books I have read, and may want to read again, and then give away

Fabric I don't have plans for yet

Specialty yarns for future projects

A full pantry and fridge

Spares of everything (toothpaste, salt, lightbulbs, anything consumable)

Full tank of gas, and the oil freshly changed

Fresh herbs for cooking
 

[Wolfcat]

Getting out without the kids. Actually having a vacation though it be inexpensive.

[emilyfaith]

This thread is awesome! I needed to read this today after "feeling" poor, which is probably more a combination of pregnant, tired and my husband had to work like 70 hours this week. So  what makes me feel rich... Paper towels, I wouldn't buy them on my own but my husband insists that men need them. After spilling a quart of homemade turkey broth all over myself and the kitchen  yesterday I thanked my husband for buying them. (I cleaned most up with a huge bath towel but that paper gets in the corners really well.) oh and berries...... any kind of berries make me feel rich. We cant afford them often but what a special treat. I do have a quart of frozen huckleberries in my freezer that I picked last year and every time I go to the grocery store and see the gallon for sale for 60 bucks I smile. This does make me so thankful for what I have. I think we will have huckleberry pancakes tomorrow!

[htcmom]

A full tank of gas. It does cost $115 dollars to fill our van.

[emilyfaith]

Originally Posted by htcmom 

A full tank of gas. It does cost $115 dollars to fill our van.

We are having a tight month or two financially, I will feel so rich when we can fill up our vehicles!