Bare Necessities

If you were to ask almost any adult what the necessities of life were they would rattle them off with ease:

• Food
• Clothing
• Shelter

Depending on a persons health they may add medical care to that all important list.

So simple. So straightforward.

What we speak with our mouths is not always what or how we really view reality. The Minimum Basic Budget in the book focuses on making sure that this is where we place our efforts and in doing so may free us sooner for recovery from financial hardship or position us to get off any type of public assistance or subsity sooner.

Yet so many don't, can't, or won't take the steps necessary. Our lives indicate certain other things that many hold important. How do I know? Riding the bus and listening to others around me some of the most common things people hold onto that may contribute to them not taking the steps they need are:

• Cell phones*
• Cable t.v.
• Eating out
• Internet*
• entertainment
• Name brand clothing
• Gifts for social events
• Alcohol
• Cigarettes 

*Sometimes these are a necessity for those in home business, realtors, etc.

Maybe it is not even one or two of the items above that will sink the ship but often it is a combination of many or all of the above that keeps people from having what they really need for themselves and children which is:

• Food
• Clothing
• Shelter

It is indeed hard to adjust or break our pet habits even if for a temporary basis for long term gain.

As I have talked to people even mentioning a temporary reprive the resulting response is not just unfavorable but can get downright uncomfortable. I guess I'm just not very good at phrasing it with my often direct approach. A much better instructor is my childhood teacher Baloo from the Jungle Book. If you have never heard the song or it's been a while I hope you will check it out and use it for your budgeting motto to help you over the hurtles.

 

Look for the bare necessities

The simple bare necessities

Forget about your worries and your strife

I mean the bare necessities

Old Mother Nature's recipes

That brings the bare necessities of life

 

Wherever I wander, wherever I roam

I couldn't be fonder of my big home

The bees are buzzin' in the tree

To make some honey just for me

When you look under the rocks and plants

And take a glance at the fancy ants

Then maybe try a few

 

The bare necessities of life will come to you

They'll come to you!

 

Look for the bare necessities

The simple bare necessities

Forget about your worries and your strife

I mean the bare necessities

That's why a bear can rest at ease

With just the bare necessities of life

 

Now when you pick a pawpaw

Or a prickly pear

And you prick a raw paw

Next time beware

Don't pick the prickly pear by the paw

When you pick a pear

Try to use the claw

But you don't need to use the claw

When you pick a pear of the big pawpaw

Have I given you a clue ?

 

The bare necessities of life will come to you

They'll come to you!

 

So just try and relax, yeah cool it

Fall apart in my backyard

'Cause let me tell you something little britches

If you act like that bee acts, uh uh

You're working too hard

 

And don't spend your time lookin' around

For something you want that can't be found

When you find out you can live without it

And go along not thinkin' about it

I'll tell you something true

 

The bare necessities of life will come to you