Thanksgiving is coming up, and that always gets me thinking about what I’m grateful for.  Of course, we should show gratitude all year long, but it’s easy to start taking certain things for granted.  One thing I like to do is keep a gratitude journal – every day, I write down one thing that I’m grateful for.  I challenge you to do the same!  What are you thankful for?

I’m grateful for…

My husband, who is the love of my life and my best friend. I’m grateful that we share common interests, do fun things together, and can talk for hours without running out of things to say (which is surprising for two quiet introverts).

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My friends, who are always there for me and who inspire me to achieve my goals – like paying off my debt, losing weight, and living a healthier lifestyle.

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My parents, who generously allow my husband and me to live with them. They are the reason we will be able to pay off our mountains of student loan debt in just three years.

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My job – how it’s interesting, challenging, and has some pretty neat perks – like a free gym membership and two office dogs.

My cat, who is the sweetest and most affectionate pet I’ve ever had. She will always have a special place in my heart that none of my other pets have had.

Pugs, who are the most adorable creatures on the face of the planet.

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The roof over my head.

Always having enough money for food.

Clean water.

Hot water for long showers.

Blogs – my own blog and all of the awesome personal finance and frugality blogs I read.

Discovering minimalism.

The mental and physical benefits I’ve found in yoga.

PTO.

Netflix.

God and my church.

Podcasts.

Having health insurance.

Unlimited texting, because I hate talking on the phone.

My education. It was ridiculously expensive, but there are other parts of the world where females are not allowed to attend college or school simply because of their gender.  The student loan debt situation is frustrating, but I’m still grateful to have been able to graduate from a competitive business school.

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Restaurants that offer semi-healthy options. It’s awesome to see more and more places starting to do this.  There’s a long way to go, for sure, but it’s a start.

Chinese food – especially Pad Thai and lettuce wraps. Yum.

Bright patterned yoga pants.

Infinity scarves.

Penguins.

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Organizing supplies.

Photography.

My car cover that keeps me from having to scrape ice of my car’s front windshield during the winter.

Heat on cold winter days.

The difficult things in my life – without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. If it weren’t for my anxiety, I wouldn’t have found my faith.  If it weren’t for my debt, I wouldn’t have found the joy in minimalism and frugality.  If it weren’t for the difficult people in my life, I wouldn’t know exactly who I don’t want to be.  If it weren’t for my struggle, I wouldn’t have stumbled upon my strength.

What are you thankful for?