This is a biggie for a lot of people, myself included. Over the years my relationship with money has become more mature, but there is still a long way to go.
Last year I got a home equity line of credit to consolidate my student loan, car payments, and other debts, which worked out to about $50,000. Then over the rest of the year our income was not quite enough to cover our expenses, so we did what so many people do—put groceries and other essentials on credit. (Thinking of this now makes me shudder!)
My husband and I also took a well-deserved vacation, got our backyard landscaped, bought some new clothes and furniture, and other little things here and there, and before we knew it we had racked up the line of credit and both credit cards. Ahhh!
Then came the subsequent guilt, shame, and fear. We have both committed to creating better habits with money and getting ourselves out of this hole.
We could sell our house…even after paying out the mortgage and our other debts (approx $245,000) we would have at least $155,000 left over based on what the city says our house is worth. This, however, is a last resort as we like our home and don’t want to move. Besides, we’d just end up having to buy another place at $400,000 or more. So we need a better plan…
I believe that money is a form of energy, something we send out into the universe and something we receive in exchange for that. And prosperity is more than just money. When we give freely (and by this I don’t mean recklessly) we receive freely. It flows. Money is energy…we don’t need to fear it. We have to use the energy as we choose.
I also believe that money can flow easily, that it can result from doing what we love, and that working our asses off at a job we hate is not a way to attract prosperity and abundance. At least, I believe these things on some level, but I need to really believe them body, mind & soul, to make them my truth.
So first of all, my husband & I are saving each and every receipt and keeping an Excel spreadsheet to track our spending. We will then use this data to create a realistic budget. In the meantime, we have agreed to $50 per month of personal spending (which I regret to admit I have already exceeded and esentially pre-spent my allowance for the next 3 months. Who knew knitting supplies would be so expensive?!?)
Also, we are looking at ways to live more simply and frugally—eating meals at home, preparing food from scratch, turning down the thermostat at night, etc. There are many things we can do that save money and energy as well as the environment. I plan to start having our groceries delievered so we don’t have to drive as much and run errands. I would like to get a bike this spring so I can ride to the mall nearby when necessary. Maybe I can get a used bike or trade something for one somehow.
My husband is going to read some financial planning books like The Wealthy Barber and then share the info with me. I am going to read metaphysical books like Creating Money and share what I learn with him. That way we can work together on a practical and a metaphysical level.
I am a very spiritual person and the patron goddess and god of my household are Lakshmi and Ganesh. They are both associated with abundance and wealth, as well as beauty and many other wonderful things. We have a small altar set up for them in our living room and last year we used to light a candle there for them every night. We would spend a quiet moment giving our thanks for what we had recieved that day, then give thanks for the abundance that we knew was coming. We eventually got sidetracked and stopped doing this, but I would like to return to this daily ritual.
I believe gratitude is essential if we would like to have more, as we begin by appreciating what we have and seeing how blessed we really are. I love the book Gratitude by Melody Beattie—it is worth reading over and over again.
I started a new habit this year—before I go to bed each night I write in my gratitude journal and list off a few things I am grateful for that day. I also ask my husband to tell me 3 things he is grateful for before we fall asleep.
I think the important thing it to believe that we CAN and ARE getting out of debt day by day, to stay positive, and to realize that spending money can never replace any emptiness we feel inside.
I want to incorporate this affirmation into my daily life:
“Everything I need to know is revealed to me, and everything I need comes to me at the right and perfect time!”
