Words I try to live by...

About two years ago, I read an article (I think in Real Simple) about keeping your finances in check - How to keep spending down, make the most of your savings, the dangers of credit cards/interest, etc. It talked about how people waste money on "nothing" (also known as "the latte factor" to Oprah watchers)--a cup of coffee here, a another pair of black work pants that are on sale, etc. when they're saving for something bigger. I agreed with what they were saying, but then a line in the article really struck me - it asked, "Are you sacrificing what you want the most for what you want right now?"

Wow. That really put it into perspective for me! So much so, I was tempted to even write it on my debit card!! I had always avoided wasting money, but still at the end of the day/month, I quite often found myself wondering where the heck my money went! At the time, I wanted to save to buy a house and suddenly every time I was tempted to reach into my purse, it was all put into perspective. I wanted a house more than I wanted to run to Panera at lunch. I wanted a house more than another pair of flip flops. I wanted a house more than I wanted name-brand items at the grocery store. And suddenly I found that I indeed had more money for buying a house!

Fast forward a year and a half. Sure, I'm not penny pinching quite as hard as I was when we were saving for the house, but I still consider my purchases very carefully before making them. Most often I find myself asking, "Will this last or will I have to buy a replacement one?" "Do I *LOVE* it?" and "How much is this REALLY worth?" And sometimes I just walk around a store with an item in my hands to spend a little time "having it," but then I put it back on the shelf before I leave. It's my little way of tricking my brain into thinking that I have something for a little while without spending the money on it (and having it clutter up my home).

And this method of evaluation has run over into other areas of my life as well. Am willing to I sacrifice what I want the most (to feel healthy and good about myself) for what I want right now (maybe some fries and cajun wings from Quaker Steak?). Lately I have found that to be a resounding, "Hell to the no!" And the longer I go without eating absolute crap, the less it has appealed to me. Whoohoo! Two birds with one stone, eh?

I know we all have our triggers, turning points, and advice that resounds with us. This might not mean anything at all to you, but I share it in the offchance that this nugget resonates with you.

xoxo