By Petra-Ann Brown
It’s a new year, and with every new year comes a renewed sense of hope and a willingness to try again. Many of us set resolutions, some we stick to, others we don’t, but there’s something about turning the page on the calendar that inspires reflection, analysis, and a fresh wave of optimism.
Life moves fast. We jump from one task to the next, often on autopilot. For me, it’s a daily rhythm of waking up, making breakfast for the family, packing lunches, heading to work, coming home to cook dinner, and then shuttling the kids to track practice, music lessons, and basketball games.
But every now and then, there’s pause, a still moment where life comes into perspective. That moment happened for me this week, standing in my kitchen with a cup of peppermint tea, watching my kids eat dinner.
Jack Mackerel and a Lesson in Simplicity
Dinner that night was jack mackerel from a can and boiled dumplings. As I watched my kids devour their plates and ask for seconds, I smiled. In that movement, a memory of my dad flashed through my mind: He would be horrified to see me serving this to my kids!
To him, jack mackerel was “poor people’s food,” a cheap, versatile meal that could be stretched in countless ways. Growing up, my dad worked hard to ensure we didn’t have to eat meals like that, associating them with struggle and hardship. Ironically, I didn’t even know what jack mackerel was until I married my husband.
Early in our marriage, we were grocery shopping when he grabbed a can off the shelf, smiling to himself. “I ate a lot of this as a kid,” he said. “It saved me form going hungry more times than I can count.” That simple moment made jack mackerel a staple in our pantry.
Today, it’s my go-to “emergency dinner,” a quick, dependable meal for those busy nights when I’m running between work, home, and the kids’ activities. For some families, the fallback might be pasta. For me, it’s jack mackerel.
But as I watched my kids eat that night, I realized something important: sometimes, we try so hard to move away from the things in our past, things we associate with struggle or lack, that we overlook the wisdom they hold.
Getting Back to Basics
The truth is the same principles that helped us survive during lean times are the ones we need to embrace when we find ourselves struggling financially.
- Be Content with What You Have: Learn to find happiness in simplicity while working toward your goals.
- Live Below Your Means: Spend less than you earn, even if it means making sacrifices.
- Save for a Rainy Day: Life is unpredictable, and having a financial cushion can be a lifesaver.
These ideas aren’t groundbreaking, and you’ve probably heard them a thousand times. But in a world, we’re bombarded with messages of “more, better, faster,” we tend to ignore the simple truths because they don’t align with the lifestyles, we envision for ourselves.
Reframing the Narrative
It’s not glamorous. In fact, getting back to basics can be downright humbling, especially if it feels like you’re returning to a financial position you swore you’d never be in again.
But perspective changes everything. To my husband, jack mackerel was a survival food, something he ate to avoid hunger as a child. To my kids, it’s just delicious. And to me, it’s a practical solution, a “stopgap” meal that keeps the family fed and moving forward.
Sometimes, taking a step back isn’t a failure; it’s a chance to reset, rebuild, and refocus. Financial freedom isn’t about keeping up appearances, it’s about making choices that align with your goals, even if those choices take you down paths you’d hoped to leave behind.
Final Thoughts
As you start this new year, don’t be afraid to revisit the basics. Reflect on the lessons from your past, embrace simplicity, and remember that progress often starts with small, intentional steps. Whether it’s cutting back on spending, saving a little more, or redefining what “success” looks like, getting back to basics can pave the way for a stronger, more secure financial future.
And who knows? Your “jack mackerel moment” might just become the story you share one day to inspire someone else.
About Petra-Ann Brown
Petra-Ann Brown is the founder of Brown Financial Solutions, LLC, a financial coaching practice that empowers individuals to take control of their financial lives. She is also the host of Island Money 365 podcast, where she shares inspiring immigrant stories and provides invaluable financial resources to the community.
Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-mother-spending-time-with-her-children-4866894/
