Food for thought: we are buying less gazingus pins. Or even zero gazingus pins! What are we creating room for? What values are we spending on instead? For me:
- Freedom (FIRE! Woot!)
- Giving (friends, strangers, charities)
- Space (by not adding to my clutter)
- Relationships (buying gifts and not having almost-fights with DH about stuff I want but don't have the fun money for)
- Confidence/security (happier with the clothes I have instead of always needing more more more)
- Health (spending my time cooking instead of online shopping)
- Time! (not spending so much shopping, buying and returning things)
- Modelling (showing my baby daughter that life is not all about consuming!)
I feel good that resisting my gazingus pins is making room in my life for me to focus on the things I TRULY value. What are you making room for in your life?
I'm sure there is something in my life that I am making room for, but right now all I can see is that buying zero jewelry in 2018
1. keeps my finances intact.
2. makes it possible to reach my two goals for the year - trip and the savings goal.
3. gives me a bit of breathing room in my discretionary budget.
I am on a really tight budget, because of my two goals for this year and because I'm helping out a family member, so I have plenty of financial incentives to make it happen.
In other words, it is strengthening my focus and financial discipline - one may hope:)
"What values are we spending on instead?"
I am not spending on other things, rather I am prioritizing what I value most - FI - savings aka reaching that $50K goal in 2019!
Second, I am choosing a paid for trip over using my credit card (I will, but only to get the points - then I'll pay it from my savings) and over spending money on jewelry.
Given all that - it should be easy to do, but it is surprisingly hard and I do wonder if I can make it through the second month.
Self-sabotage and temptation must be first cousins:)
lifejoy - buy the shoes! There is nothing frivolous or spendy about buying a pair of shoes that are good for your health, your legs and probably your back too. Do some research.
Here is a site that may have better prices on your shoes than store retail - I plan on buying my hiking shoes there.
Be sure to check the reviews on your choices - I thought of going to the local store and trying them on, then get a much better sale price from this site.
www.sierratradingpost.com