Priorities and Value
These last 11 months have taken me on a journey I never expected. I honestly did not believe that I would be able to keep consistently* blogging for more than maybe a couple of months.
photo credit: Nicholas_T
I assumed that I would run out of things to say and that I would just be talking to myself. I didn’t think that anyone shared my views on the world, so this has been quite an eye-opening experience for me. I set out to be honest and to explore and share my ideas and views on how things are and how sometimes the status quo isn’t for everyone.
But what I’ve really learned is that not everything you do will ever be perfect. Even when you set yourself a guide to living the way you want there will always be things that you will compromise on and things you will just go without. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices and live with them.
Like the other day, I went shopping to find a white singlet (tank top) and due to my budget and the lack of ethical clothing providers in my area I had to shop in a store that I always try to avoid. I actually felt a bit ill shopping there but I just couldn’t afford to borrow a car and drive for an hour just for one top.
When it comes to priorities and how we perceive value, everyone is different.
We can’t assume that everyone cares about buying locally or that they make conscious decisions when they shop. That is not important to everyone, and as much as I think it would be amazing if there was more awareness, sometimes we just have to let it go. We make our decisions, they make theirs. No one likes being told what to do. All we can do is make the best decisions for ourselves and be happy in the choices that we make.
When it comes down to it, most people don’t buy handmade because they are making a bold statement of ‘oh look at me, I’m saving the world by buying handmade’. They buy the products that they like the look of (handmade or not).
It’s the good design and the quality that slowly changes peoples minds. And sometimes it doesn’t. I am not you and you are not me. It can be so easy in this online world to point out the apparent flaws of others but tolerance is as important as ever and in the end it’s us that have to live with our own choices and the way that we treat people.
So what do you think? Do feel that too?
* I have been less consistent lately but I think I’ve found a better flow for me now.
Why ‘Fun Money’ is So Important
The money we have can be allocated into different sections.
We could really break them down into 3 or 4. They are:
- Living expenses – what you need so you can eat, have a roof over your head, all the essentials that have to be paid
- Savings – if you’ve read about my thoughts on mindful living and budgeting for it you’ll know what I’m talking about
- Fun Money – the money you can spend on a whim, or on doing something that is non essential but worthwhile
- Debt – not everyone will have this but it is a reality for some
What happens when you’re unable to allocate for all these sections?
Different people put different priorities on what needs to be paid first. But for me, and I can only assume for others it’s the ‘fun money’ that gets left out of the equation. The most sensible choice really, isn’t it?! That may be so, but it makes things tough. Without an allocation for fun money there are no dinners out with friends, no impulsive trips to the movies and no ‘toys’ like iPads and Wii’s. And with that, especially where you work for your self, there is no time off your job.
If you don’t have any money to do anything but work, then all you can do is work. It is something that is troubling me at the moment. It was a choice for me to go into business for myself, even if the unemployment market made me feel it was the only option. It was a choice for me to say no to credit card offers and to keep my savings. But choices have consequences, like everything does. And for me it’s time to start re-evaluating what is important, and changing the way I do things.
I need to learn to not feel guilty for the occasional consumer purchase, and that while handmade is a great option, sometimes having a video game to play is OK.
Making Priorities
I am learning that everything is about priorities and what comes first. When I was saving to travel to all the places I have been, I gave up most of my fun money in return for having that fun later. It was totally worth it. If you’re saving for a goal, that might be the case too.
Now that the end of the year is upon us, it’s time to think about what I want for next year and how I make it a reality. I want 25 to be amazing. I want to make bold decisions and to feel safe in those decisions.
It’s time to shake things up and to find some fun money so that ‘fun’ is part of the equation again.
Do you feel that fun money is important? Is it high on your priority list? Have you let it slip for other goals? I’d love to know your thoughts, tell me in the comments.
