Gratitude and personal finances

As the Holiday season is in full swing, a lot of people contemplate the almost past year and the new year to come. People also tend to feel grateful at this particular time of the year.

I personally believe gratitude should be expressed and practiced all year-long, not just for special occasions.

It has been scientifically proven gratitude can make us happier, healthier and more relaxed. I also believe it can make us better with our personal finances.

As indicated here, when we focus on what we have, instead of what we don’t, we tend to be smarter with our money. We are not impulse-buying and filling our drawers and cupboards with stuff, in an attempt to fill in other voids in our lives.

We are also more grounded in the present, instead of the abstract future. We don’t just think about the day we will be debt free or have $ 10 000 in our savings account. We plan and enjoy the journey -bumps included- to get there.

So what am I grateful for? A lot of things, both big and small. But, what I am most thankful for is being born in France.

The simple fact of being a French citizen has given me more opportunities and luxuries than most people on the Planet.

I never had to worry about my next meal, getting an education or accessing healthcare. I was always able to express my opinions and beliefs. I was always free to go wherever I desired, whenever I wanted to.

This is something I will always be grateful for…