Growing up-especially when you’re young- it is very easy to compare your family’s financial situation to others without even realizing it. Looking at your own clothing items or belongings and comparing them to another’s is a prime example of this. This can set unrealistic expectations early on in one’s life.

Particularly growing up here in Frisco where the taxes are very high, a lot of people living here have a decent amount of money. That being said, it is easy to question your own life when you are still young and not able to properly understand the concept of finances. Even at this age, there are still some things that you can’t help but question.

As soon as you turn 16 here, people are asking you what type of new car you got. If you were to tell them that you can’t afford one at the moment, some might be confused. Some people (not just in Frisco) simply do not know what it is like to have any sort of money issues.

Being surrounded by people who may have more money than someone may make them feel as though that person is more privileged than them. Although that may be true in the materialistic sense, you must see beyond simply how many belongings you obtain. Think about how blessed you are in other areas rather than money.

Someone who doesn’t have as much money as someone else could have a much better family life, better self esteem, better relationships, the list could go on forever. Everyone has heard the saying “money can’t buy happiness” and although it is cliche, there is some sense to it. Being wealthy can give you a lot of benefits, but it cannot solve all of your problems.

Changing your mindset to focusing on what you do have rather than what you don’t can make life a million times easier. The financial state that one is currently in does not define who they are.