Last week, I read an article on Huffingtonpost called, “Everyone in America is even more Broke than you Think”. The statistics shared in the article were startling to me and it changed my perspective.

The article said:

• 24.2% of Americans or 37 million people make less than $10,000 a year.
• $15,000 is roughly the salary of a minimum-wage employee working 40 hours per week. 
• If you earn more than $50,000 a year, you earn more than 73.4% of the population.
• 1% of Americans earn over $250,000 a year.
• 894 people earn more than 20 million and earn more than 99.99989% of Americans. 

These are just some of the statistics, but it was enough to make me think. It’s easy to be convinced that you’re not doing enough. If you watch reality shows and are immersed in celebrity culture, you would think that you are missing out. You may feel the need to have expensive clothes and live a lavish lifestyle, but the reality is that the numbers show that the majority of the population cannot afford it. A quarter of country is not even making a living wage.

There continues to be a great debate in this country about money, benefits and government assistance. When I look at these statistics, I can understand why someone would need benefits and government assistance. The majority of the country is just making  their bills, mortgages, car payments and taking care of their children. The fact that someone can work 40 hours work weeks and still not have enough money to take a vacation or afford healthcare for their family seems unfair.

As I read these statistics, I was reminded to be grateful for what I have. I’ve complained because I couldn’t buy something right away. The new cellphone came out, but I have to pay bills. My television broke, oh woe is me. I wasn’t struggling with real problems when it comes to money. Now, I know how fortunate I have been and continue to be. I hope you will look at these numbers and really see how fortunate you are as well. The next time you’re feeling down because you can’t buy the newest Iphone or the shoes you saw on one of those reality shows, remember where you fall on the spectrum. Be grateful for what you have and have accomplished.

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

― Abraham Lincoln