This is something I’ve needed work on my whole life. Or, at least since I’ve had extra cash. It really shames me to admit it, but while I was in school all the money I got back from my scholarships after paying for classes and books and everything … I didn’t save it or invest it, I spent it all. I’m so good at rationalizing things in my head so that they make complete sense to me and I used to think that I should enjoy the fact that I had money to spend because I assumed when I got out of school I’d have to start paying all sorts of bills and living expenses and I wouldn’t be able to buy new jeans or crap on e-bay. It kills me to think of the thousands I spent in four years on shit that mostly isn’t around anymore. But oh well. No regrets, right? I did at least enjoy myself in those years. The problem is that I’m addicted to spending.
In the past year, I’ve been able to curtail a lot of spending because there just isn’t enough money. I just have the bad habit of thinking I can afford to buy myself something when I have a little extra.
I think the bulk of my spending goes towards food and drink. I enjoy eating so much, as do all my friends, and I always feel like an expensive meal out is worth it. I enjoy cooking at home, I’m just usually to tired to bother. And there are so so many good restaurants in Miami.
It seems like everything I’m setting goals for right now ties back into the Master Cleanse that I’m doing. Among all the things I’m hoping to benefit from after I’m done with that, I’m hoping that food will have less of a hold on me and I can spend less in that area. At least for the time being I only have to buy more lemons. :)
I’ve never really consistently tracked my spending, like with a checkbook. Last year I tried using this website called Xpenser where you text anything you spend to your online account to keep track of it, but of course, I gave up on that pretty quickly. I just got a new app for my iPhone called Balance which is like a digital checkbook (plus it does the math for you!) and so far, so good. It’s easier than Xpenser and I always have my phone with me, so I’ve been good about keeping track. I think it’s helping.
