Comments on: Supporting Your Vision Part 2 – Does Your Spending Actually Support Your Vision?

By: Lydia, Clueless Crafter

Lydia, Clueless Crafter — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:11:54 +0000

This evening my husband and I went out for a spontaneous dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant. After reading this post, I recognize why the spontaneity was worth the evening’s out weight in gold. As has been said before, it wasn’t about what we spent the money on (which is usually my concern) and how much we spent (also my concern) but the value we received back.

The evening felt lighthearted, joyous, youthful. It felt good to spend money in this way.
Lydia, Clueless Crafter´s last blog ..Auction Connection

By: Shannon Wilkinson

Shannon Wilkinson — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:24:55 +0000

Great post Victoria! I was just thinking of writing out something like this to share with a client, and now I don’t have to. It really isn’t so much about spending money equals good or bad, but whether you’re getting what you want to get out of it (or think you’re getting). And then, making a change, or relaxing with your choice!

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:12:57 +0000

This has inspired an idea for a blog post around all my shoulds on cooking. One of the things I would like to spend money on (but feel guilty when I do) is more prepared food from the local market’s deli. It really goes along with my quality of support (thanks! that totally works for my needs around movement and self-care, I was thinking of it more along the lines of person-support or business-support and forgot that it can have other meanings); I eat better and take care of myself better when I buy it because when I am hungry, there is something “quality” in the house that is ready for me to eat. It really doesn’t add hugely to my food costs – it’s just that I think it does, and I think that I should be cooking. Except then I don’t want to, and end up hungry or eating meals that aren’t as high quality.

This series is immensely helpful. Thank you for sharing it.
elizabeth´s last blog ..ode to joy, volume 5

By: Victoria

Victoria — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:38:31 +0000

@Bridget – Funny – the financial fast article came my way last week, I think, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I’d better bump it up higher on my “to read” list! :) And, yes, it’s those little anxiety-soothers that can really add up. I think it’s awesome that you noticed that pattern and then gave yourself something wonderful like a piece of art to help you listen to your inner consciousness.

@Beniaminus – YES! You get my point exactly…it’s not about what we spend our money on, but about using our money to meet our needs as well as we possibly can. So if going out for coffee is adding to your quality of life (however *you* define that), then cutting it out isn’t necessarily the best choice.

By: Beniaminus

Beniaminus — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:03:24 +0000

This is a great way to look at money, Victoria. Last week, my wife and I did a rather boring budget, and we tried to make ourselves cut back on coffee out together. But after reading your post, I can see that the money spent on coffee actually contributes hugely to my value of having spontaneous, quality time with my wife.

Thanks for the perspective shift!
Beniaminus´s last blog ..WordPress Creator Matt Mullenweg Gives Tips on Public Speaking

By: Bridget Pilloud

Bridget Pilloud — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:02:52 +0000

Have you heard about Michelle Singletary’s 21 day financial fast? I’ve tried it and liked it because it helped me look at my emotions around spending. Essentially, you only spend money on essentials and you only use cash (except for your mortgage and utilities).
I became conscious of how much I spend on coffee and trinkets, bits of inexpensive jewelry on etsy, little bits of artwork, whatnot. I noticed that when I felt compelled to spend it, it was either convenience or to soothe a little lowgrade anxiety. Nothing soothes anxiety like a pretty.
After my latest round of this, I took some of the money I didn’t spend on coffee and spent it on a picture to remind me to listen in to my inner consciousness. It’s one of @leah_art ‘s prints.
You’re right, money can be an investment or it can be something that we use instead of zeroing in on the need it is fixing in the short-term.
I love your smart.
Bridget Pilloud´s last blog ..Feelings are Not Pizza Toppings- Safely Handling Emotions Pt. 2