No matter how confident you are in your lifestyle choices, it’s hard not to look over your shoulder at what everyone else seems to have. 

How can you stop trying to keep up with the Jones? 

The solution to this timeless challenge is to create your own standards. 

Here’s how: 

1.) Remember: You are unique! Recognize that every person’s circumstances are different, and what may be essential to someone else would be a luxury for you.

2.) Who’s going to foot the bill? When making decisions about how to spend your money, you only need to consider your own needs and financial standing. After all, you’re the one who will be paying for it – not your friends.

3.) You will never have it all.  There’s a reason financial experts call the endless pursuit of luxuries the hedonic treadmill. Chasing after a more comfortable lifestyle is futile, never-ending and frustrating.

Let us know what standards you set for yourself in the comments!