Are You the Joneses’?
I listened to a podcast that talked about creating our own version of financial independence and not working to “keep up with the Jonses”.
This got me thinking about the phrase – the origin and things to consider today.
The phrase originated from a 1913 newspaper comic strip called Keeping Up with the Joneses created by cartoonist Arthur R. “Pop” Momand. The comic followed the McGinis family as they struggled to match the glamorous, affluent lifestyles of their unseen neighbors, the Joneses.
It’s amazing that the comic is long gone, but the phrase is still so prevalent today.
As I considered this, they represent the standard we try to live up to.
What others expect of us.
What we see others doing and we think we should be doing.
Something to buy.
Something to do.
Never quite hitting the finish line because there is always “more”.
I also realized that in some way, we are all “The Jonses”.
Others looking at us and thinking they want to be more like us.
Something we have.
Something we do.
How ironic is that – we both want to be and we are “The Joneses”.
What if we broke the cycle?
Stop the comparison and live the life we want. There is no keeping up when you are happy with what we have.
Thinking back to my posts on enough, success, and wealth.
The answers to the questions about what our personal definition of enough is can shift our perspective away from always chasing the Joneses.
What do you think?
Posts This Week
Making Lists. We all make lists. Yet, we rarely talk about the behind-the-scenes way we approach them. In this post, I share some of my favorite tools and processes to keep track of “all the things”.
Brain Breaks. This post explores how cognitive load can become overwhelming and we need to take breaks often shifting from the mental load to some form of physical activity.
Getting Picked. From our early years, we are all seeking acceptance….the desire to know we matter and that people want us. This post explores rejection and our inherent need to “get picked”.
Defining Our Values. A core part of our personal brand foundation are our values. This post provides a perspective as well as an exercise to help you explore what yours might be.
Do You Need a Tripwire? Tripwires are pre-determined cues to prompt another action. This post explores how you might use them in your life and personal development.
Podcasts That Caught My Attention
This week, there were several financial wellbeing episodes on my lists so you could consider the first three here a “flight”. And, in a stretch, the fourth also relates to our career finances. Enjoy!
My Thoughts on Making Money and Planting Money Seeds. 10 minutes. Optimal Work Daily. This episode provides a perspective that building wealth almost always comes from taking calculated risks on your own business ideas instead of relying solely on a paycheck.
The 7 Streams of Income to Get Rich. 11 minutes. Part 2. 13 minutes. Optimal Finance Daily. This podcast covers how building multiple streams of income can strengthen your financial future and reduce dependence on a single paycheck.
How the Game of Life Teaches Personal Finance. 10 minutes. Part 2. 10 minutes. Optimal Finance Daily. This two-part podcast uses the classic board game Life to provide practical lessons about money, careers, debt, taxes, and family expenses.
How to Love Your Job Even When It Isn’t Perfect. 9 minutes. Modern Mentor. A quick episode reminds us that while not every job is a perfect fit, it can be more than just a means to a paycheck.
Articles That Caught My Attention
13 Career Insurance Policies Every Professional Should Have. This is a lengthy one from Fast Company. However, there are some interesting ideas included by a variety of authors. If career insurance is of interest, I wrote a post a while back titled 10 Career Insurance Actions to Protect Your Future. The ideas included are a bit different from what you’ll find in the Fast Company one.
What Do You Think?
Did the article on the Jonses’ get you thinking about the role you play in the cycle?
Do you keep lists? If so, how do you organize them and keep track of all the things to be done?
What ideas did the posts & podcasts spark that you could implement in the week ahead?