Money for Memories | brokeGIRLrich
I feel like I keep harping on spending money lately, but I think it’s just because it’s where I’m at in life. When I was paying down debt, I wrote post after post about doing just that. When I was finally debt free, I went on a budgeting spree to figure out how to organize my new cash flow.
Lately, I’ve been writing a lot about how I’m spending. I was reading My Answer to All Financial Debates over at Budgets Are Sexy the other day and was struck by J’s answer – “whichever excites you the most.”
I totally agree! I paid down debt like it was my job after going to grad school. There were plenty of days I wanted to be done with my weird lifestyles, but I knew I’d found the fastest way I was ever going to pay down that much debt. And that excited me more than all the other things I could’ve been doing or buying.
When I was living in NYC, I was most excited by watching my retirement and savings accounts creep up even though I was living in one of the most expensive spots in America. The balance to be able to do that and still hit all my money goals kept me going.
I’ve always been the type of person who does best with a little pressure, a lot of commitments and a strict schedule to get them done.
Tour life (and cruise ships, for that matter), does this weird thing where it eats your entire life but also leave you with odd gaps of time where you have nothing to do. This is always where I’ve struggled financially.
So that got me thinking, what does excite me most right now?
The Thing! Those $1 admissions add up. And I. Don’t. Care.
It’s actually spending money.
Don’t get me wrong – I’ve always got savings goals and we’ve covered how I’m still prioritizing hitting them. I’ve even accelerated them beyond how I would usually save if I was paying rent and utilities.
This still leaves a good chunk of change available to me each month.
I should invest in the stock market, peer to peer lending or really start contributing more to my “down payment” savings account, but I’m more excited about seeing America and doing fun things.
Really, I suppose I’m hoping to encourage you guys – my net worth isn’t really that much, my salary is nearly laughable after 10 years in a field, but it can still be done! You can reach a point where you’re not only not drowning financially, but actually swimming along pretty smoothly.
I’ve decided I’m excited about using money for memories and I really don’t have any regrets about this.
Crazy pumpkin pie cocktails with my oldest best friend!!
I’ve learned that spending more, especially after penny pinching every cent to be sure I could pay rent, hit my IRA contribution and emergency savings goals, can be a little dangerous. I really think it’s taken my a little over a full month to realize that the reason I enjoy this tour so much is all the memories – which do coat a little – and not because of anything I’ve bought at a mall or extra snacks at the gas stations.
The problem was, when the spending started in one area, it just crept into the others as well. I had to learn more about this new phase to be excited responsibility. Furthermore, I think I kind of had to earn this new phase. Previous good decisions and sacrifices have left me in a place where I don’t need to be funneling my money towards anything specific.
Most importantly though, this newfound freedom to drop $5-10 a day seeing the world’s saddest zoo in New Mexico or The Mob Museum in Las Vegas or grabbing a drink at a local bar with an old friend who lives in the town I’m going through, is because of previous good decisions, which means I’d better not mess up all these savings goals I’ve currently got going. They may not excite me, but they’re still a priority – so I can stay free to do the things that do!
I definitely splurge on the experiences on tour, I totally stayed on the strip in Vegas instead of our random Vegas hotel- but I always avoid the “mall” trips and the shopping to fill time danger zone.
Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life recently posted…The Value in Subscribing
Yeah, I’m finding that to be a pretty good balance too. I totally get how the mall has become the place to hang out when we get somewhere too early, but it’s definitely a major danger zone.
For us it’s building wealth right now, having a newly found surplus is something we haven’t had it years. I can see were being on the road and having down time would kick in an urge to spend, kinda like being on vacation. I guess the good thing it you are aware of it and can keep it under control.
Brian recently posted…Week End Round Up #72
I’m still working on paying down debt, but having money for travel and memories is definitely a top priority as well. I’m quick to forget snacks at the gas station or a new top from the mall! I’ll never forget my travels. 🙂 So happy you’re enjoying this journey and sharing it with us!!
Chela @SmashOdyssey recently posted…Dropping Classes and February Update
I love this! I’m glad you are enjoying your money, but not going overboard with it. How was the pumpkin pie cocktail?
Kayla @ Everything Finance recently posted…Monthly Baby Subscription Boxes: Are They Worth the Price Tag?
Um, delicious. I love pumpkin pie.
Taking my business to the next level excites me financially these days. It sucks that I have to ask for venture capital money to do it, but I am so excited about where the money will take the business that I’m fine swallowing my pride and asking for it.
Shannon @ Financially Blonde recently posted…Accidental Landlord
That’s awesome though. I’m so excited for you that you’re in a position to move your business to the next level!
You’ve got yourself in check! And what is life if not for living?
My $ excitement these days? Saving for that dang house.
femmefrugality recently posted…The House and Blogging Goal: An Update
I think we’re on roughly similar trajectories — I’m still in my “learning to budget” phase but I think I’m starting to transition into “I could ease up a little here and spend money on things that really matter to me.” Slowly, since I’m still building an emergency fund and playing catch-up on retirement, but I’m getting there. This Caribbean trip I just went on was part of that! I definitely agree that while you’re in places you may never be again, you should go see the zoo and have the cocktail — and it’s great that you’re in a place financially that enables you to do that in a pretty low-stress way.
C@thesingledollar recently posted…Personal Finance Bloggers Gone Wild: Spring Break Edition
It is exciting. It sure doesn’t hurt I’ve picked a lifestyle with very few bills, but this is my first time out doing this without any debt and it’s really cool to NOT be stressing about turning over every penny to get rid of that.
Spending money excites me too! Like you say, it’s all about sticking to your guidelines and your values. I’ll drop lots of money on travel but I rarely buy new clothes or home furnishings. Traveling excites me and I never feel guilty about the money leaving my bank account. I love reading about a fellow PF nerd spending intentionally.
P.S. You should check out the Gangster Museum here in New York. It features an awesome tour of the St. Marks Theatre, which I never knew was a speakeasy!
Broke Millennial recently posted…Why We Need to TALK About Money
Definitely will! Thanks for the heads up!
Oldest best friend=yes. Old friend=no. I’m not some random friend from school. 🙂
No, I just meant you’re old. I mean, you’ve got a whopping nearly 6 months on me, old lady.
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