Do you have tips for my wife and me as we talk through the question of, “how much is enough?”

Hello, my name is Ron Blue, and as you know on this website we get a lot of questions that come from people that have very, very good questions. Let me read one to you and try to answer it.

This is one that says, “My wife and I are talking through ‘how much is enough?’ Do you have any tips for this? For instance, my wife and I have come to a consensus that, unless required for business, we will not purchase luxury automobiles. Is it wise to establish guidelines like this, this early in our married life, in order to prevent us from succumbing to rationalization later on?”

You know what, that was a great question, and it was answered in the question. Because, if you can make your decisions now, early, relative to your lifestyle, then when you are tempted to change it because your income has gone up, perhaps, you now have set the rules in place. Now, a budget is only a guide, but if you can establish some guidelines and answer the question early on in your marriage about, “what is the lifestyle that we’re attempting to get to?” Because I know this – that there is no lifestyle that is going to make you feel content. And, there is no lifestyle that is going to make you feel successful or even secure. No matter where you are in the lifestyle question, it is always a function of your heart attitude relative to your lifestyle. Paul said, “I have learned to be content” – whether I have a little bit, or a lot. And what you’re looking for is contentment, not a lifestyle. Defining what would provide contentment for you will never be a matter of money; it will always be a matter of perspective. But if you can set those guidelines early, you are ahead of 99.9% of all people in America.

Click here for the April 2, 2009 Blog Entry