How to be rich (when you don’t have a lot of money).

I am very wealthy. Rich in fact.

Of course, we’re not able to retire early.

We have a lot of years left on our mortgage.

We don’t own a car. I ride the bus. We do a lot of walking.

My wardrobe is small, and the labels are not designer.

Our home is simply furnished and relatively small. The decor is kid friendly and welcoming.

I track every penny we spend. Our budget is debated and examined often by me and my husband.

Our oldest son has a small collection of toys many of which were bought second hand.

Our new baby plays with plastic cups and chews on well worn receiving blankets.

They are both clothed in a mix of hand-me-downs, second hand purchases and gift from Grandmas.

The ways in which I am rich cannot be measured in dollars or things:

I have my health.

I am a well person.

I can run a few miles and walk many more.

I can lift heavy things, including my sons, without too much trouble.

My marriage is a happy and content one that I continue to grow in and work on.

At the age of 35 I am still learning new things.

More importantly, I still want to learn new things. How to windsurf, play the guitar, improve my French, crack an egg one handed without breaking the yolk (I am so close).

I have choice.

I am not trapped in my life or by the decisions I have made in the past.

Three years ago I changed careers. There were, and still are, scary moments in pursuing this new path.

But the ability to make this choice, to leap before the net has appeared, fills me with abundance.

I have time.

The greatest of luxuries, the most sought after commodity in this busy world.

Time to listen to my children’s stories, one told in giggles, squeals and smiles and the other as a creative re-imagining of a book we have a read dozens of times.

Time to get back in the Crossfit gym after a two year hiatus, taking a few hours a week just for myself to push my body and learn something new.

Time to take the slow route, to watch the tide come in, to make a week day meal extra special, to talk to one of my sisters for over an hour and have conversations like we live next door to each other instead of thousands of miles away.

I feel rich not when I look at my bank account, but when I look at my life.

What makes you feel rich?