Today is day 28 of my self imposed contentment challenge. I really want to grow in being happy with what I have instead of focusing on what I “need” or focusing on what I do not have. So for Lent I decided to give up shopping and buying things that I want.

But I have been saving things in my Amazon cart and creating a list for the thrift store when this is over. Though I think this likely misses the point of this challenge. I have rationalized that these are things I really need but decided to hold off until the challenge is over.

One of those things I “need” is a new vacuum. I currently have a vacuum and it works but not to my liking. It sucks!! And not in the good kind of way but in the “wish I never bought this thing” kind of sucks. It is like it pushes against me and it is cumbersome to use. Thankfully I only have a small patch of carpet downstairs and in my bedroom. The kids rooms are carpet too but I leave that up to them to vacuum for the most part but sometimes I just like seeing more vacuum lines so I will do it.

So I have my eye on my friends vacuum that is anywhere from $150-$200. I really like another friend’s vacuum but the price of $400 eliminated that as an option. My husband jokes that I am apart of the Vacuum a Month Club. Okay it is true that we have bought several vacuums in our 25 years of marriage but is it my fault they have sucked in the not the good way?!? I usually spend $75-$150 on a vacuum in effort to save our family money but several vacuums later we can see this approach has not worked. But yet again in this position though I should suck it up buttercup and buy a fancier vacuum so it will last. But the bigger price tag had my husband laughing so back to the Vacuum a Month Club.

All this to say, I am rethinking this planned upcoming purchase. Yesterday I substituted at a local elementary school. We are trying to work extra to help pay for a college daughter’s trip to Hawaii. So it is worth it. But being there all day made me miss being at home, homeschooling my youngest. I was also thinking of purchases in terms of how many days I would need to work. So I make $200 a day subbing so in essence this vacuum would cost me a full day of work which also means being away from what I really feel called to which is homeschooling my youngest.

I was also thinking this vacuum costs about the same as a night at an AirBNB. So I got to thinking, I would much rather get away to the beach and stay at an AirBNB with my hubby than have this new vacuum. For some there is a surplus of cash flow and these thoughts do not pop into their mind. But for our family, we have to think through these things. I would much rather use some more arm muscle to vacuum my small parcel of carpetland than miss out on a much needed trip away with my hubby.

This contentment challenge has me viewing work, stuff and priorities in a different light. I want and need special memories to be made far more than a new vacuum.