Sharing is caring!

This post is part of the New American Dream Blog Tour which I am delighted to be a part of along with hundreds of inspiring bloggers. To learn more and join us, Click Here

The New American Dream

Growing up I had apple pie in the sky kind of dreams- a mansion, with a wildly successful career, family, and all of my dream cars. A big, fancy American dream. Now, as an adult, I still have dreams of the future- just a little more realistic and down to earth. A new American dream. As Kyle has said: “I’d rather live paycheck to paycheck and not be in debt, than live a life of dreams and owe the world,”. But why can’t both be possible? To me, being successful means having a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food on my table (and in my cabinets), a career that I enjoy, a little extra pocket money, and the ability to provide for my family. Maybe take an occasional family vacation, even if it’s just within our state. Some day, I’ll join the workforce again and who knows- maybe we’ll be a little bit closer to that apple pie in the sky. Or maybe our dream will just change to fit our new situation.

I think that one way to achieve this reasonable but still satisfying dream is creating and staying within a family budget. We keep a monthly budget of general household expenses and also keep a separate weekly food budget. Tracking finances hasn’t always been something that we’ve stayed on top of in the past, and sometimes we do end up living paycheck to paycheck. But, we know where that money is going and we’re not buying anything we don’t need. We still live comfortably and within our means. We don’t need fancy clothes, the latest gadgets, or a brand new car to feel secure or feel successful. Knowing that we’re able to put a good, healthy meal on the table is a mark of success for us. Or knowing that if we did run into a household emergency, we would have the money to get us through, that is a mark of success for us.

What about you? What’s your New American Dream?

 

Mark and Lauren G

Once living the American dream of fancy cars, custom homes, and a pile of debt, Mark and Lauren Greutman exchanged that overrated, stressed out dream for their new American dream of enjoying life together while living within their means. They’ll teach you how to jumpstart your new American dream. Visit them here

The following two tabs change content below.

Kori

Hey there! I'm Kori, a neurodivergent mom and certified Life Coach, here to empower moms raising neurodiverse families. Diagnosed with ADHD and Autism at 37, I've turned my passion for neuronerdery into practical parenting tools. With a stack of coaching certifications and a love for 80s pop culture, Marvel movies, and all things brainy, I'm here to help you and your family thrive in this neurotypical world.

Latest posts by Kori (see all)

Similar Posts

Adventures in the Bible for Toddlers

ByKori
0 Comments

I wanted to start early with Squeaker when it came to teaching her about God and God’s word. I read Bible verses to her while I was still pregnant and she enjoys hearing Jesus Loves Me as one of her nighttime songs. I also knew that it would eventually come time to start getting a Bible that was appropriate for her. And though I do have a book of Bible stories, I was lacking any sort of Bible that was more kid-friendly (something that I hope to remedy soon). So, I thought why not start adventures in the Bible? I felt that was something that we could grow with and I also feel that reading is an every day adventure within itself. The Adventure Bible…

How To Prepare Children Of Any Age For A House Move

How To Prepare Children Of Any Age For A House Move

ByKori
0 Comments

Nowadays it’s not uncommon for a family to move house. Facing the prospect of moving may seem daunting for you as an adult, but you need to think about what it may mean for your children.  Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay  They may not always be a part of the decision and not fully understand it. Children need to have some special attention and time during the transition, and children of different ages will react differently. Learning how to deal with this and support your children before the move will make the process much less stressful for everyone involved.  Choosing To Move Many children thrive on routine and familiarity. So, once you have found the perfect house from all the Homes For Sale and…

Getting Ready to Move? Here is How to Pack Big Items

ByKori
0 Comments

Packing your home up can be overwhelming; there is so much to do, and while most items can be packed into smaller boxes, there are some items that need more attention.    Our heavier items are usually things that we need to protect, like mattresses, bed frames, sofas, or anything that is large or cumbersome.    So here are some handy tips to help you pack up and move your biggest items.    Photo by Erda Estremera on Unsplash   Ask yourself – do you need to pack them?   Not every big item will need to be prepared and packed; in fact, depending on where you are moving to, you might be able to sell your goods and buy new ones when you arrive….

Frequently Asked Questions About Hairstyling!

ByKori
0 Comments

Although hair styling is a big part of the beauty industry, there are still some things that people don’t know.  Photo by George Bohunicky on Unsplash   So Here Are Some Frequently Asked Questions About Hairstyling!    I’m Losing My Hair. What Can I Do?   If you are already undergoing thinning hair, there are a few treatment options to consider.  First off, if you smoke or have recently quit smoking, this is your main cause of hair loss.  Secondly, make sure that you’re taking in enough protein and iron through your diet – if your hair isn’t getting the nutrients it needs to grow properly, then it’s going to fall out. Thirdly, minoxidil (Rogaine) or finasteride (Propecia) can help slow down the rate of…

Moving House? Make Sure You Do These Things

ByKori
0 Comments

  (Image credit)   There are a billion and one things you need to accomplish while moving house. You’re going through one of the most stressful moments of your life, and it’s simple to overlook crucial details. Before moving house, there are numerous things to keep in mind, such as packing everything, notifying your energy suppliers that you’re moving, and updating your address anywhere else.   After spending countless hours packing and unloading boxes, you wind up shifting your entire life to a new location. It makes sense why you’d be worn out at the end of it. But once you’ve relocated, you still have crucial tasks to complete. not simply the really utilitarian factors like where the main water valve and fuse box are….

Eggtastic Breakfast Recipes

ByKori
0 Comments

I have ambitions of raising my own chickens when we finally move out of Albany. We’ll still be in the capital district, just in an area where it’s okay to raise chickens. My main reasoning behind this is because I want to know that the eggs we’re eating are fresh, healthier eggs and not jam packed with hormones. But until I can start raising my own chickens, I’m proud to partner with NestFresh Eggs! All of our eggs are always 100% cage free. That means that no matter which NestFresh Eggs you choose, you can be sure that the hens that laid your eggs had room to roam around large barns. Not only that, but our hens are also free to jump on perches, run…