My husband says saving money doesn’t have to be a chore if you practice smart spending. Here's how you can save by spending.
Reading
this post on Yahoo two weeks ago had me floored at some of the things people spend their money on. And the fact that they were spending wasn’t the issue. It was the whining about being in debt and struggling to get out when they had no monetary priorities. Check the comments. You'll see. Honestly, how are they going to send their kids to summer camp if they’re already in debt? What goes on at summer camp that‘s going to magically turn their kids into Gods?
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I used to be the same way. Guilty. I could never save because I was busy buying things that were not only unnecessary, but that I didn’t even like. Clothing. Jewelry. Even some of the furniture and decorations for my home sucked, but I bought it thinking that’s what people do. We earn money and then we go out and buy whatever’s IN at the time. Yup. That was me. I’m ashamed. Stop looking at me like that.
Then there was the other extreme. After reading that first post, I had a “conversation” with my husband. And as I danced around his feelings about money and saving (aka my feelings), it occurred to me that he wasn’t all that into ultimatums. He’s just not prepared to give up the things he loves. And why should he be? Life is not a rehearsal. This is it. What I suggested was to quit living cold turkey, start a savings account, and live in a shoe for the next 10 years while we build a nest egg. It sounded great on paper (not really), but it wasn’t going to happen without an extreme meltdown and a few slit throats.
As I contemplated his theory on spending smart, a feeling of brainlessness came rushing at me from all angles. At this point, I’m red in the face and on the verge of laughing at my own stupidity. This is what he said during that brief moment of clarity:
*in my naggy voice* Saving money doesn’t have to be a chore, he says. And spending smart doesn’t mean NOT spending, he says. We should just buy the things that speak our language, he says. Then, you won’t mind saving because you’ll already be surrounded by the things you really do like, he says.
I’m rarely surprised by my husband’s intelligence, but this time...lightbulbs all over the place. Why didn’t I think of that? Maybe I think too much. Rest brain. Rest. This is what people really want. This is what I really want. Experiences with my family and friends that will create real memories of us being us. Things in my home that make me want to linger a little longer because my eyes just can’t get enough. Things that make me peek in the room one more time while I’m waiting on my popcorn to pop. Clothing that makes me feel good in my own skin and that actually feels good on my skin. Good call Hubs. I think I can let you be right this one time, but don’t try that malarkey again.
Do you think my husband is on to something with his “theory”? What do you think? Cold turkey or spending smart?
