Things I Like About Not Being Broke | brokeGIRLrich
A friend of mine gave me this candle called 2econd Life – it’s in a concrete, recycled holder and it’s silly but it’s got me thinking a little about how life feels like it had different “parts.” I mean, the Mel I was in college or grad school is probably still there somewhere in me, but I don’t often feel like I have much in common with her anymore.
Applying this financially, I realized that I’m kind of easing into a 2econd life over here as well. The super frugal woman who made it work on tiny incomes while paying off loans and trying to work in a ridiculous industry is still there somewhere in me, but not always broke Mel has a lot of things going for her that always broke Mel would’ve been mind boggled over.
So if you’re still struggling through that f1rst life, here are some exciting perks I enjoy approximately 8 years after starting to save for retirement and 5 years after getting my financial act together.
…maybe it’s a problem.
Candle Budget Line
Speaking of candles, they have their own budget line in my spending. I know it’s stupid. Broke Mel would be mind boggled to know in a few years, she’ll have a candle shelf. And it will make her very happy and not destroy her budget at all (have I written enough about candle budgets yet?)
Taco Bell
Or fast food in general. Guys, I am lazy. And I hate cooking. I have eaten Taco Bell roughly a dozen times this month. It’s across the street from where we’re parked. Do I have any guilt about this extra $100 expense? Not a lick.
Dentists (And Doctors)
Going to the dentist, or the doctor, or something that seems unnecessary because it’s preventative and my teeth aren’t actively falling out of my head or my limbs are still attached enough-ish. It seems sort of crazy to me that we live in a world where I consider this a perk of being financially stable, but I do. I can get a sinus infection without financial ruin and it’s glorious.
Never Having to Say No to Fun Cause of Money
I can pretty much agree to any hangout night or trip with my friends these days financially- time wise, it’s difficult to get away from work, but the ability to pay for these splurges isn’t a problem. I’m planning a trip to Iceland with my best friends for next month and it’s the first big trip I’ve ever planned without worrying about doing it on a budget. When I started running a few numbers on ways to see the things we want to see on our own, rather than with an organized tour, I got about an hour into the project and realized I didn’t want to do all the extra planning work this time and all the extra legwork once we’re in Iceland to hunt the right bus stops or drive a rental car around a foreign country all week. Having all those planning issues solved for me for a few hundred dollars more is worth it these days.
