Living within your means

My last post, which was supposed to be about the last decade, focused instead a lot, on help. The Bible tells us to love our neighbour as ourselves, if someone asks for a coat, to give your tunic as well. So we know where the stand is on that.

Im now talking about us. Ourselves. How do we live our lives? 

This world we live in is all about consumerism, living up to the Joneses, keeping appearances, doing it all. The thing no one talks about is, can we afford it? Mentally, emotionally, physically or financially. A lot of time, when help was asked from us, it was because people overcrowded their schedule, or went financially into debt as they subscribed to a lifestyle they couldn't afford.

How do we prevent ourselves from overcommitting? How do we say no?

We're often influenced by fear that the opportunity wouldn't present itself again - a business opportunity, a sale, a publicity stint; whatever it may be. My question is, should we take responsibility of the opportunity cost of taking up that opportunity; ie should we find a paid babysitter to watch our kids or should we ask our friends for a favour? Should we cater food and pay for it or ask friends to bring us food? Should we borrow money from friends or save up or take a bank loan which we repay ourselves ?

It's not easy to say no to friends, and many salespeople capitalise on this. However, many friendships are also put on a strain when the parties take advantage of the awkwardness of saying 'no' to push their agendas through.

After agreeing to lend a hand or money a time or two, it gets harder to say no when the same people come back for more. They ALWAYS have a very convincing story where they are a victim of circumstances.

After years of helping, it's impossible to say no without looking like a bad guy. They think it's owed to them, for us to drop our schedules and commitments and see to their needs when they ask. We also have no right to have a say in anything though they behave like they have a right to our resources - be it time or money. Somehow, the universe plays a joke on us and makes us out to be the evil ones for finally plucking up the courage to say no.

Think. 

Yay or Nay?