CNN iReport

My husband and I have always speculated what life might be like if he suddenly doubled or tripled his income, how much easier life would be, enjoying big toys, fine home furnishings, and the luxury of free spending.

                                                                                But we both agree our speculations are fluffy daydreams, because the reality is, "The more one makes, the more one spends."  Sure, our standard of living would increase considerably, but we'd find ourselves in the exact same predicament, eyeing the budget every month and making"sacrifices" to stay within range.

                                                                                The fact of the matter is we're feeling the crunch of the economy, too.  Even though our city is doing comparatively well in the grand, national scheme of things, prices are still rising, and we've had to scale back on spending like almost everyone else.

                                                                                One ounce of our pound of flesh was the trip to Home Town for the Thanksgiving holidays.  Normally, the whole family makes the 2.5-hour drive north for the two-house family feast tour.  This year, we just didn't have the cash to travel, so instead of the annual pilgrimage,we stayed home.

                                                                                And instead of the twelve-course, four-family spread, we cooked a holiday meal that cost around $25 on the bottom line: ham, cornbread dressing, carrot souffle (recipe a la Piccadilly), green bean casserole, rolls, and one pumpkin pie.  No twelve-pound turkey, no seafood sides, and not the usual variety of five-plus pies.

                                                                                I slept in.  Cooking was a leisurely, pressure-free endeavor.  Thanksgiving Dinner was served when it was good and ready.  The kids and I snacked on salads and sandwiches in the meantime.

                                                                                Half of us stayed in pajamas.  We snuggled together on the couch watching It's a Wonderful Life on TV while I made occasional trips to the kitchen to check the oven.

                                                                                A low-key Thanksgiving.  No visitors, no visits.  No fancy dishware, no formal place settings.  Just the family and good things to eat.

                                                                                As I took the pumpkin pie out of the oven and replaced it with the mush that would become the carrot souffle, it occurred to me I was stressed about absolutely nothing this year.  As a matter of fact, I enjoyed this Thanksgiving far more than any other holiday in 2008.  Why?

                                                                                Because there was no pressure to travel, to be on time, to be presentable, to make sure the covered dish was in edible shape for the extended family.  No stress about the kids behaving themselves and playing nicely with the cousins, or spilling cider on their freshly ironed Thanksgiving dresses.

                                                                                No dresses.  No messes.  No stresses.

                                                                                Oddly, the whittled-away paycheck offered us a time of peace and gentleness, a reprieve from the demands of a multi-family holiday out-of-town trip.  Sure, we missed visiting with our loved ones, but a phone call was enough to exchange "I love yous" and convey the heartfelt sentiment.

Having less money to "Do" actually helped train our attentions on the simple pleasures that make family time so sweet.  For that, I'm deeply thankful.