Last Updated on July 5, 2023 by Shane Corbitt
Long before the highlight reel of Facebook and Instagram made us insta-jealous, folks were intimidated by their neighbors and keeping up with the Jones’. That was the term used to describe being envious and influenced by what people in your inner circle had and were doing. Keeping up with other people causes debt and a sense of greed. That’s no way to live.
We never know how or why people have what they have. For all we know, they have a trust fund or parents who support them with material things. We never know if someone has a mortgage payment or has all the bright-shiny-things and debt up to their eyeballs. Comparing lifestyles and judging yours as inadequate will never help you make better decisions because you simply don’t know how the Jones’ got what they have.
Don’t worry about keeping up with the Jones’. Worry about staying in your lane, in your budget, and on track for your wealth. Here are some helpful tips for staying focused when you feel pressure or jealousy.
Set goals and review them- Having a goal gives you something to work towards. If you find yourself jealous over what someone else has, think about what you can do to get yourself into a position to have the things you want. Do you need to go back to school and earn a degree? Do you need to get ahead of your debt to free up money? Set goals that move you closer to what you value and put your energy and focus on achieving them.
Be a long-term thinker- Sometimes short-term gain comes with long-term price tags that aren’t worth their cost. Be a long-time thinker and make a strategy to achieve what matters to you. Want to be a homeowner or take an annual vacation? Plan accordingly. Making short-term buying decisions that don’t bring you lasting happiness robs you of the things you may really want.
Surround yourself with like-minded people- We are most like the five people we spend the most time with. Make sure the people you spend the most time with are high-quality and have similar goals. Enjoy dinner pot-luck weekend BBQ’s and share babysitting to help one another keep your financial goals. Find ways to share resources and pool together rather than be in competition for who-has-what.
Comparing yourself to your neighbor or those in your close circle should feel encouraging and inspiring. If you find yourself feeling intimidated and jealous, you may need to shift your mindset. Being in awe of someone should encourage you to want to be more and do better. Feeling bitter over someone’s objects only causes discord. Find ways to forget about keeping up with the Jones’ and focus on what you already have and the great plans you have for your future.
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