An extra $200?

We are over a month into permanent employment, yipee! It's been great to finally feel those roots bury in a little deeper. As for the job, the salary wasn't exactly what we were expecting but it's sufficient. Yes, federal gov't benefits are much cheaper than anything else with some unexpected added extras. (Quality has not been proven yet.)

We haven't worked up the budget with the current salary and cost of benefits but we have gone through the exercise with theorecital numbers so I have a good idea of what we can spend on groceries, clothing, entertainment and the like - items that can be varied somewhat. All of these items have some money in them and sufficient money - we are no way in need. The numbers aren't so big though that we can not be in a state of mind to just go blow $100 on a nice dinner and a babysitter just because we want to. The question that has been running around in my head has been, if I had an extra $200/month, where would I put it in the budget?

As I think through this, I am challenged by what seems to be such superficial desires of where the money should go. Do we need to eat out? Do we need to buy more food or more costly food? Do we need dates where we do fancy things? Do we really need that many more clothes?

At this point, I'm happy that we don't have that question to answer and I am learning to be content and learning from this verse.

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, [not in great need]  and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength." The Bible, Philippians 4:11-13