Most people start to pay more attention to their personal finances when things go awry. That’s why when the economy started to go south, some folks started to save more and charge less on their credit cards. But even on a smaller, more personal level: if you need a major car repair or have damage occur in your home, you become more aware of all that you have to lose.

But during the day-to-day, when things are going right, we often don’t take the time to appreciate what we have. That’s part of the reason we panic when something goes wrong. We’re not entirely sure where we stand. Part of being a financially smart person means evaluating your money situation when times are good and taking the time to feel thankful for everything that’s right!

Even if things aren’t going quite as well as you’d like right now, chances are there are some areas of your finances you can give thanks for. Some of them might not apply to you, but that’s alright. Focus on the ones that do.

You have a steady paycheck. Or even an unsteady one. If you have money coming in, that hopefully means that your financial picture is getting better. And if you have a paycheck, that also means you’re gaining valuable work experience and keeping your skills honed, so there’s even more hope for your future.

You have a roof over your head. Maybe you own it, maybe you don’t. But either way, having a place to weather any financial storm is certainly something to be thankful for. And if your home is worth what you paid for it (or more than you paid for it), you should be over the moon.

Your net worth is increasing. You may have suffered a downturn when the home prices dropped, but it’s likely you’re starting to crawl back out of it now. Little by little, you’re adding to savings accounts, your home is regaining a little bit of value, and you’re getting that credit card under control. Curious about how your net worth is faring? Using a tool like Mint.com makes it easy to do comparisons every now and then.

You have a financial plan. Maybe things aren’t rosy right now, but you’re getting things back on track! You’re increasing your savings, getting that credit card debt under control, and planning for retirement. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back for all the progress you’ve made. If you haven’t taken steps to take control of financial problems, now’s the time! You can make changes that will improve your situation in the long-term.

You live in a country where you are free and safe. Most of us have some (or a lot) of gripes about where the United States is headed, but we forget how good we really do have it when compared to many other countries in the world.

While you’re being thankful for what is going right in your finances this Thanksgiving, take some time to reach out to someone less fortunate than you. You can donate your time, your skills, or your money to a worthy organization and give others something to be thankful for this year!

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