Now with the economy being what it is, our sacrifices and long-term planning have enabled us to have the same lifestyle we always have had.  We never argue about money and have not had to make any major changes.  I get to go to a job that I love and Tracy gets to stay home and raise our daughters – that is PRICELESS!  Those same people that used to mock us and think we were crazy are now envious of us.

Many people thought that having a lot of money and nice things made you rich.  I think if there is a silver lining to this recession, it is that people are starting to think differently.  They are beginning to place importance on things that are really important to them – their spouse, children, passions – and not just materialistic stuff.  I feel this is a great lesson and hope many will continue to live this way once the economy improves.

Note from Jason: Danny makes a couple of good points here I thought I would highlight:  Even when times were good and we had two incomes coming in, we lived very frugally and paid-off as much debt as we could and boosted our savings.  Economic swings, or outside forces such as financial emergencies aren’t as a big of an impact on a family when following a spending plan each month.  I think the other thing Danny points out is paying off debt.  The debt certainly gets heavier during a recession or in financial emergencies.   The key to long-term financial peace is getting out of debt and having enough left after expenses each month to have a 3-6 month cash safety net.

How has the recession impacted your family?

Effects of the economic recession

I felt I needed to share an excerpt from Dudley’s letter because it provides such an awesome perspective on the current economic climate I hadn’t really thought about.  Enjoy and please let me know what you think.

Recently I talked with a man who seemed absolutely paralyzed by the effects of the economic recession.  He has lost his six-figure salary and much of his retirement fund.  He seems suspended in mid-air as he waits for things to return to normal.

Things are not going to return to “normal.”  Things can get better, but they will not go back to the same old way they were.  There are some things God wants us to see that have been hidden in and complexity of prosperous times.  He is insistent that we not settle for minor comfort when he has so much more he wants us to experience.

What is God saying about the recession?

I think everyone has been asking the question “when do you think the recession will end and all be normal again?”  But many Christians, myself included, haven’t taken as much time as we should to stop and listen to what God is saying to us.  And I think so many are for the first time learning what it really means to manage money wisely.  The mission of financial counselors and personal finance bloggers has never been more important.

What are your thoughts on Dudley’s comment, “things are not going to return to normal?”