Envy is a resentful desire to have another’s superior possessions, achievements, or qualities.
I can admit it- there are times when I get green with envy and this little guy shows up.
I do not want to confuse envy with jealousy either.
Jealousy is a feeling of anxiety or distrust over the possible loss of something valued—such as love or friendship—to a rival. Envy refers to what one wants to have; jealousy refers to what one fears to lose.
Let me give you a recent scenario-
I have a friend who just got a new car for her (50th) birthday. Her husband is awesome at buying her presents for every occasion imaginable- and good ones too. The car is just the latest case in point.
I drive a 2003 truck with just over 107000 miles on it. I just had to replace the tires on it and it now needs brakes and possibly some transmission work and the dang turn signal just went out. Would I love to have a new car so that I did not have to deal with all of this crap? Oh heck yes I would! Did I get envious of my friend's new car? Honestly? Yes- for just a moment I admit that I did until I did the math in my head.
They just financed over 25 grand and have a new payment of almost $500 a month. Every month for the next 60 months. Their car insurance just went up about $80 a month to cover the new car. Their yearly car registration tags to the tune of $490 just materialized because of the new car. If I did the math it breaks down to about $620 a month she is now spending on a new car. Mind you she did not need this car-she had a perfectly good car to drive already- she was just tired of it. (2009 model that they are still making payments on)
Okie dokie. When I look at that I see the difference between her and I. I may drive a 2003 truck with age issues but It is also paid off. The only payments that I have are what it takes to maintain it when stuff goes bad. Yes tires, transmissions, and brakes are not cheap but they are not a recurring monthly expense.
I could get a new car if I wanted one. We can afford it, but then other stuff in my life would have to give. I CHOOSE to drive this car so that I can afford to enjoy other stuff that is more important to me and my family. Being out of debt is a big one. If my husband loses his job, we still get to keep our vehicles because they are ours. I will not have to stress over that. The money that I would normally spend on a car payment and added expenses, we use to do fun stuff and buy other things that we want. That is a choice that I have made. That is how my frugal mindset differs from her 'have to have the latest and greatest' mindset. Don't get me wrong, she is a very nice person, it's just that she is pretty wasteful and is caught up in the world's "The more cool stuff that I have the better I look to people' attitude. I find that sad, but it is what it is. Anyways... there you have it. I admit that at times I get envious...but then I do the math... and look at what is important to me in my life...and then that little green monster goes away and all is right with me and my little frugal life again.
Thank God for focus, hey? ;)
Hope you all have a great day!
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