I believe that all of us have good and bad money powers that help us to grow or loose our money. I’d like to focus on some my magical money powers that are so annoying and help to keep me broke. I will also bring up a few that help me save money. Maybe you have the same ones?
I Always Like The Most Expensive Item
I don’t understand this one. It doesn’t matter what I am looking at but if there are 5 shirts on a table-I will always want the most expensive one on the table. It doesn’t matter what the situation is, I almost always will do this. I’m not sure what to think about this but I am now turning that around and looking to buy fewer items but better quality.
If I Go In A Store I Will Always Find Something
I have everything I need-and then some. So, why does it happen that every single time I go into a store I can find something to buy? Because of this amazing ability I now have to keep myself out of stores as much as possible. If I don’t I will find something cute that I really don’t need but in the moment will want. It’s also an impulse control issue.
Credit Cards Are Tricky For Me
There are moments when I just won’t touch my credit cards and then moments when I will charge like a crazy woman. Usually this happens when I’m depressed. So, I am trying to figure out ways to manage those shopping impulses when I get depressed. I think that will be a lot better now that I’m not working my old job.
I Rise To The Challenge
I, for some reason, respond really well to the intensity of challenges. I love them. I take it as a point of pride to succeed in a challenge. I’ve done the following challenges: 1 Year No Shopping Challenge, No Grocery Shopping Challenges (9 weeks), Vegan Challenges, and the list goes on. I’ve decided to do a couple of challenges this year so that I can break some money habits that I think are holding me back.
I Own My Accidental Hipster Ways
I am an accidental hipster. Basically, I have a lot of habits that help me keep my expenses down. I currently don’t own a car but will probably purchase a beater for cash. I take public transit, stay in hostels, own a TINY place, shop at thrift stores, and grocery shop once a week. I am totally owning my money process and I feel more and more confident about rocking my money process.
I Love Expensive Activities
Sigh. I really love snowboarding, golfing, tennis, and the list goes on. This activities are a problem because they aren’t cheap. I have to work my money, coupon deals, etc. before I feel comfortable participating.
I Love Cheap Activities
Thankfully I also really enjoy doing free things! Walking around town, riding my bike for hours, going hiking, or just drinking a cup of coffee with a friend helps to balance out my expensive tastes.
I have finally, finally gotten to the point where I really don’t give a sh$t about what other people think about how I live my life. It took awhile, but I’m finally there. Now, the real financial progress can begin. I am no longer interested in how other people perceive what I do with my money.
My close friends all know that I blog about money, we have money conversations, talk about investing, and encourage each other in what we are trying to do for ourselves. No, my habits aren’t for everyone: a number of my friends would NEVER stay in a hostel, or fly economy, and the list goes on. But, they would: stay in a small home longer than the average person, pay cash for trips, or take public transit for awhile before purchasing a new car. Also, they don’t judge my process. Picking supportive friends is just as important as picking a good spouse. They can make or break you.
What are your Magical Money Powers?
Latest posts by Michelle (see all)
- How Work Policies Against Black Women Birthed a Love of the Soft Life - 20 March, 2024
- How Taylor Swift’s IP Victory Could Change the Business of Music - 28 February, 2024
- Why Don’t More Personal Finance Content Creators Talk About Policy - 16 January, 2024
I have expensive taste and love clothes. Since last year I have totally giving up my clothes shopping escapades and hit up the sale rack once in a while to take care of my itch. I realize that I will have to come up with a plan after I become debt free else I could go crazy again. I love, love, love eating out and I don’t care for when I become debt free I’m gonna eat out once a week at least…..just because I can.
LOL! I love the following line from your comment “…just because I can.” Why did you decide to change your shopping habits? That’s a post for sure!
I can relate to many of these, especially the expensive activities. It’s great to spend money on experiences instead of possessions, but experiences can really set you back! I also like your authentic, accidental hipsterness.
I love my experiences but they can get expensive. So, I’m trying to really focus on streamlining EVERYTHING that I pay money for. It has been a very interesting process.
Having supportive friends is a big one!
It must be nice to always be able to find something when you walk into a store. I have trouble with that one!
Being able to comfortably talk about the things that I do to rock my finances or just bounce off ideas about money with my friends outside of #pf blogging is huge. This means that in all parts of my life I am supported in attaining the goals that I’ve set for myself.
Yep… definitely with you on a few of those. Especially always liking the most expensive item. Actually, I can pick out the most expensive item from a 100 paces! When it comes to clothes, I’m big on fabric quality and construction. If I’m spending money, I expect the item to last.
I’m big on challenges, too. They’re great for working the ‘delayed gratification’ muscle group. I’m not likely to try any vegan challenges any time soon though. 🙂
The cinema is my expensive activity. I really love the enforced ‘time out’. I especially love going on my own. No distractions, just total immersion in another world for a couple of hours. Bliss!
What’s the deal with the most expensive item? That drives me crazy. I don’t go to the movies often because of the cost, but when I do I prefer to go by myself because other people are so distracting! The Vegan Challenge was hardcore! I felt great for the first 2 1/2 weeks. Then, I was exhausted.
Without even trying, I always gravitate towards the most expensive option too – sigh! I’m impressed by your desire for challenges. I often get excited at the beginning, but then watch my motivation and determination wane as the activity goes along.
I have a big one that I’m starting in March. Will let everyone know about that one soon! I just love doing challenges. I’m addicted.
I used to like the most expensive product when I was a student. Mom would just be forced to buy me the best phone or gadget. But now that I work, I realize the most important thing: I should be frugal and be mindful that there are still good yet cheaper products out there.
This one is a pretty common habit. I think everything changes when it becomes your money LOL!
Hahaha! I can magically always pick the most expensive item on the menu! But I can also easily (magically) resist all shopping–okay, almost all. Don’t ever leave me in a book store.
I am a book addict! We have that in common.