Financial Serenity
While I’m not doing an official 28-Day Journey this month, I have committed to one thing in particular: putting myself on a financial diet of sorts. ‘Diet’ may be the wrong word — it’s more of a mindfulness exercise. Brad and I are often surprised how much money we go through.
So this month, I’m limiting my spending to the essentials and discovering what really is ‘essential’ and what isn’t. I’m packing lunches when I can, reducing the expensive coffees, and not buying the extras. I’m taking a look at expenses we have on autopilot and asking if we still need or want them. Do they reflect who I was or who I’m becoming? Do they align with my values? Are they supporting my dreams? Or do they actually serve to keep me from pursuing my dreams?
It’s all part of my new journey to create more space and felt-freedom in my life. It’s awesome to look at something and say, “I could buy that, but I don’t want or need it. Not today.” My pantry could use a little trimming herself.
‘Financial serenity’ is one of my newest mantras.
There is so much peace in simplifying our lives so we’re not held hostage by our spending flurries, particularly the impulse ones.
Want to join me? Here are some simple steps:
- Throughout June, reduce all spending to the essentials. Contemplate every purchase. “Do I need this? Can it wait until next month?” Exercise restraint… it’s the new ‘flourish’.
- For all the essential bills, spend a moment in gratitude for each service and your ability to pay. Really connect with the money flow as delicious energy of prosperity.
- Examine all payments automatically drawn from your account, especially those on plans like cell phones, bank fees, TV cable or satellite. Is the plan the best one for you? If not, switch. Or consider eliminating. An artist friend of mine hasn’t watched TV in 13 years…
- Set aside your spare change each day in a sacred place. At the end of the month, treat yourself to something truly meaningful TO YOU – a relaxing massage, the new book you’re dying to read, a playful outfit that exudes your new flair, an enchanting dinner with a loved one – something that lights you up!
Most important, become mindful of your spending. How do you feel when you spend money? How do you feel when you save? When you exercise restraint from purchasing something, do you feel excited or deprived? What triggers you to want to go shopping? Do your spending habits create financial stress or serenity?
Do they reflect the authentic YOU? I’d love to hear your wisdom and experiences.
“We can tell our values by looking at our checkbook stubs.” — Gloria Steinem
I’ve seen that Gloria Steinham quote 3 times in 2 days now. Interesting that I see it 1 month before I return to work and a paycheque.
Very interesting Debbie! There is nothing like the Divine timing of things!!!
Anything stir inside you as you keep seeing this quote? Any voices whispering sweet wisdom?
I’d love to hear…
Hugs,
Paula
“Do as I say, not as I do?” Hahaha…I have so many words of wisdom, having taken personal finance classes, read so many books. And yet is all comes down to discipline, doesn’t it?
My biggest wisdom is to be open and honest about your goals, desires and needs with each other and with yourself.
My second biggest wisdom is to pay yourself first. Preferably looking ahead to a time when you will either no longer desire or be able to actively bring in income, and instead must make what you have work for you. Some say 10%, some say more. Some say RRSP, others say high interest savings.
We all need to find what works for us and put it on automatic pilot so that we don’t even miss the money in the first place.
A great journey Paula, and very timely for me. I’m trying hard not to get to excited about my inflated paycheque in 5 weeks!
This brings back such a cool memory for me. Back in 1992, my husband and I were starting out and beginning to see some small fruits of our new career efforts. We were contemplating purchasing a bigger house and a new vehicle. Serendipitously, I met this amazing man on a board I was sitting on and he told me how he & his wife ‘dropped out’ for a year and travelled the world. My soul was so stoked by the stories of their adventures that my husband and I decided that we would rather collect life experiences vs more stuff.
So we embarked on our “Free in 93″ plan. We became very intentional about all of our spending in an effort to save as much as possible to take a year off and travel the world throughout 1993. We weren’t making huge money back then and had mortgages and bills but were still able to save over $20.000 that year. It was amazing to watch how much we were able to accumulate without any deprivation but by simply being intentional. Unfortunately, my mother developed cancer that year so we never did go on that trip, but it forever altered my relationship with money. Ten years later, we did end up taking that round-the-world, year-long, trip of a lifetime, but also with our two beautiful young children aged 4 & 7. It was amazing!!!!!
In fact, I just looked back on my credit card statements and see my focus is still on travel - connecting with those I love the most, making memories and living my dreams. In the past three months, I’ve been to Peru, Napa Valley, SanDiego and NYC - celebrating life with my loved ones!
THX for the reminder, Paula. xo S
I love this conversation! It’s so timely for me and I can’t tell you how many times the words, “Financial Serenity” crossed my mind yesterday. Exactly the right words to describe the relationship I desire with money. You’re so right, Debbie, it all comes down to discipline. I’m thinking my plan for this month is to focus less on the discipline of spending rules/percentages/numbers… and just keep this new mantra top of mind. Financial Serenity. I’d like to practice this mindfulness and pause, as Paula suggested, in gratitude daily as money flows in and out.
Thanks ladies for this insightful conversation. You are right. It’s not about deprivation at all. It’s about intention and putting our dreams first. It’s funny how there is always enough. We seem to get what we can joyously handle (no more, no less)!
Once we make space for more, more arrives!
Enjoy the sun today! luv, Paula