( Joodie Shy )

Admin Note: I added a biography to the site. Check it out if you feel like reading about me.

It’s early Monday morning and today’s NaBloPoMo prompt is: What’s one thing you think it’s worth spending money on? What’s one thing you always cheap out on? (I’m getting a very early start on this as tomorrow my apartment is being raped by strangers again- er ‘shown’ to possible new tenants.)

Something I believe is worth spending money on is my passions. The things I really love, that inspire me to create or provide some sort of educational/growth value to me. Because to be honest, if we don’t spend money on these things- how can we learn to better cultivate these loves of our lives? We must take care of our passionate fire and give it the kindling it needs to grow. In treating my passions with respect and giving them the attention they deserve, sometimes you need to spend a little extra to get the full benefit. Usually for me this means books, workshops, classes, movies, and SOON vacationing to new places! What we love is our most important guidance system, if we pay attention closely and trust our intuition– major support will appear for our dreams. But we have to put the hard work in first. Trust what you’re really worth.

However, something I always cheap out on would be self-pampering type things. Sometimes we really DO need to indulge ourselves, but I’ve never had a manicure, pedicure, massage, facial, fancy makeup consultation or anything supremely indulgent and girly like that. (And the hippie I’m turning in to because of all this is not having so much fun.) I haven’t had a real haircut in over 2 years now! I’m terribly overdue. But part of it is the invasive nature of spa type treatments, I’m not a fan of someone being all over me with their hands- and me having to pay for it! Also, I run a fine line between being depraved and frugal versus a shopping maniac. Money always has emotional undertones to it, and it’s a difficult balancing act.

Areas I could probably afford not be so cheap in:

• Self care (yes, I’m going to get a real haircut!)
• Personal health (vitamins, regular doctor visits)
• Quality Furniture (all of my cheap, quick buys are falling apart and making me regret the frugal mindset I bought them in)
• Better Food (fresher, better quality, less junk)

It’s very hard to know where to wisely spend your money, and when to be a bit frugal. I realize I am very young, and admit that my money skills have a lot of growing up to do. But I like to read, and I’m currently (slowly) making my way through Your Money or Your Life as well as some other financial books I’ve gone through. These things have really helped me start to focus on what matters. I keep track of everything online and have a budget that I check. But I could really add some pampering space in there if I tried.

Comments: Have you ever had difficulty pampering yourself? Do you splurge on yourself and cheap out on others? Is your guilt holding you back from something you truly desire?

Tags: happiness, indulge, money, personal finance, self care