Is It Worth It?
When it comes to mindful living there is always that argument that we are sacrificing or giving up something to live the (debt free) life that we want.
But ‘giving up’ is really only a matter of opinion from the outside. When you are making the decisions you shouldn’t really be feeling like you are giving up anything. Except crap that you didn’t really want in the first place.
And is that actually giving up or just thinking first?
I have been tempted by offers of credit lately. I didn’t take any but I was tempted. Why? Because I really want my USA trip to happen this year and I don’t yet know if it will be.
But I have to ask myself “Is it worth it?” Is a trip worth the stress that debt brings? And the answer for me is NO.
Trip or no trip, I can’t handle that pressure on me or on my business that is still pretty new (in official business terms).
If I am to have this trip then I will have to work for it, save for it and then have the reward of the hard work that saving is in actually having the trip. No debt clouds hanging over me.
We can make the decision to live within our means and to create the future that we want. It is a choice. Just like choosing to buy non-essentials that we can’t afford is a choice.
I am learning that good decisions aren’t easy decisions. But they are so worth it.
I caught up with a friend that I met 7 years ago (on my first trip overseas). We had’t seen each other since then, but it was amazing to see how travelling in that way had made us both realise what money meant and that we both consider travel to be more worthwhile than the latest trends.
Travel is my hobby. It is my love. But I know that I can’t savour every moment of it if that money isn’t really there to spend.
I often think that I make things tougher for myself in sticking to what I believe in. But I think I’m worth it.
Do you think in terms of whether something is worth it before buying? Is mindful spending something that you do? Tell me in the comments.
Guest Post: Five Budgeting Tips for Freelancers, Small Businesses, or Anyone, Really
Today we have another fantastic guest post. This time it’s from the lovely Tif Smith from Hello Nifty talking Budgeting and Mindful Living:
In our current economy, everyone needs a budget. It’s no longer just a good idea; it’s a necessity. When you’re a small business owner or a freelancer, the added stress of not always knowing when your next payment is coming in makes keeping a record of your spending the only way to really maintain any acceptable level of sanity. If you don’t know where your money is going, chances are it’s not going anywhere good.
Step One: Make the Commitment.
You have to be ready to stick to a budget or it will never happen. Sure, you’ve been saying for months, “I should really do this.” Until you’re tired of maxing out that credit card; or until you’re tired of late fees on your utilities; or until you know you’re ready to take that big step and work for yourself, you may not be willing to sit down and examine your financial life.
For me, I really hate math and numbers. I’m terrible at it all, but once I knew I wanted to become a freelance designer, I knew there were some things I’d have to get used to. My desire to work for myself was greater than my fear of calculators, and I knew that coming up with an accurate budget was a necessary first step in starting my own business. I needed to really get to know my cost of living in order to understand just how much I should charge my clients so I could continue to provide for my family.
When you are ready, however, don’t hesitate. If you know you want to plan out your spending, then set aside some time—a weekend or a day of the week you know you’ll have to yourself—to sit down and really look at how your money both comes in and goes out of your life.
Stop Asking For Free
I’m not sure when it happened in our society or how, but people have started to expect that everything should be free.
You won’t take up an offer unless it has free shipping or is 25% off. You ask for samples, rather than just buying one to see if it’s for you.
Stop it. It’s rude and inconsiderate and not at all mindful.
photo credit: Jeff Belmonte
Free kills small businesses. Free costs someone money and/or time.
If you don’t want to buy something because you don’t think it’s worth the money, then just don’t. Get up and walk away from it. Don’t haggle with the seller and don’t ask for it for nothing.
