Money
Arghhh, sometimes it feels like my monetary responsibilities expand in direct proportion to however much money I have. There is some hidden law at work in my life right now, where no matter how much extra money I have, something comes along to claim it. I’m making more money than I ever have in my life up to this point, and yet I don’t see any more of it than at other points. Taxes, car trouble, house stuff, etc. I feel like somehow I’ve gone into this place where I’ve UNsimplified my life financially and it worries me that I will somehow get stuck with my monetary needs ever increasing. I’ve never really budgeted my money, but I think it might be time to get organized a little.
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May 1st, 2007 at 10:31 pm
I feel compelled to respond here. First of all, I sympathize. I understand where you are coming from fully, I think most people would. But maybe you have heard of the film “The Secret”? O.K. it may be a bit like propaganda, but I don’t think any happiness propaganda ever hurt anyone did it? It doesn’t give you a 12 step exact plan either, that is up to each person to work to discover how they can make it come alive in their own lives.
Wealth and prosperity begins as a state of mind, eventually a state of mind becomes reality… That is very powerful. We often don’t realize the power that we have in our own thoughts.
BTW, I also read Ariel’s blog and she seems to have tons of disposable income bouncing around for shoes, dresses, trips, gadgets, etc. Either that is where all your money is going (joke), or she is very adept at managing her money, maybe she has some pointers then? No offense to you guys intended!
Namaste
R
May 2nd, 2007 at 10:45 am
I had the same problem, and I’ve read that most people do, we just tend to live to the extent of our means. My solution was to have work break up my paycheck and send some into an account that I spend from and the rest into an account to which I have little access, and that I dont’ check the balance on, don’t have a card for, basically ignore. I spend all i want from the spend account and am still saving money on the side. It’s like tricking myself into believing that I make much less than I actually do.
So far it’s worked well.
May 2nd, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Rebecca, I certainly don’t have it figured out — Dre and I just prioritize our money differently. While he spends his on things like international travel and circus classes, I tend to spend mine on cheap clothes from ebay and domestic travel.
May 2nd, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Right. Plus I’m in debt, which is really the whole driver here. I don’t really care about wealth, it’s just frustrating to have a financial need (paying off debt) and not be getting any closer to that because stuff keeps popping up. I think I will try what you are recommending though Brent, and figure out a way to store away some of the money so it’s more of a pain to get at than it currently is. It’s also figuring out that I need to somehow plan for the unplanned stuff. It’s a lesson I’m trying to learn so I don’t get all flustered when something unexpected pops up.
May 2nd, 2007 at 3:55 pm
when i win the lottery i will give you some. minus $25 from the visa in Bali.
hahaha
May 6th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
This is interesting. From over here, your life and Ariels seem so …glamorous… well, they do! Sure we live up to our means, that is somehow human nature, I think. However, who can predict a car break down, or a house fix. Not me, as history bears out. Maybe your employer will match your 401 monies? That is a great benefit if it is there for you. Man, I sound like a grown up. blech.
May 7th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Yeah, it’s the unplanned stuff that kills me. Taxes and car expenses: definitely not glamorous. My employer does 401K matching and I take advantage of that. I’m not irresponsible with my money (for the most part) I just never seem to end up with much left over.
May 7th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Glamorous: HA! We’re a long way from this.
May 15th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Perhaps it’s already been recommended to you, but I ADORE The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke. It’s a Suze Orman book. My mom got it for me, and that fact prevented me from READING it for, like, a year. But once I did, I was SOOOO glad that I got over the whole “Mom, stop intruding into my life without asking” thing. The great thing about the book is that she’s not about giving advice like “Stop buying lattes and you’ll be rich next year!” She’s about practical, useful advice for people making that transition from young, to young adult. So, maybe it would be helpful. Some of what you’re saying just rings very familiar with what I read in her book.