Posted by Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.
Will Smith
We’ve all seen the instagram profiles with the dream locations, new watch, luxury car, new designer shoes, and worst of all millions of dollars spent on weddings. I am already married and I still feel weird looking at them. They give me a little pang in my gut and make me wonder, I work just as hard and earn just about the same, why can’t I have those nice luxuries myself. AKA I wanted to keep up with the Joneses. For all I knew, they could be genuinely prospering, have super rich parents/spouse, or be completely broke.
If you find yourself in these situations, it is time for you to think about the following steps-
- Stop comparing yourself to others – Everyone has a different journey. We have different financial goals. There is no rule that says we all need to have a million dollar wedding. You don’t need to go and get the new iPhone on the first day of its launch. To be honest, no one even cares. It is the game of comparison that makes us think we are ‘supposed’ to be doing this. Every morning think about the future of your family, your financial goals and how I am going to accomplish them to realign your actions with your plan.
- Will it bring me joy – If you are using an 8 year old laptop and upgrading to the latest techs really going to help you, by all means, go for the upgrade provided you can afford it. If you want something to impress others maybe reconsider if that is where your faculties are best spent.
- Delay gratification – At the end of the day, we are all after a luxurious life. Money gives us the resources to serve more. Wealth is what gives us the security to protect our families. Delayed gratification is where the real stuff is. It will let you focus on those goals you set for yourself.
If you can’t buy it twice, you can’t afford it.
Jay Z
What if instead of buying them yourself, someone gifts them to you? Don’t flex it. I admit I am one of those weirdos who has requested people near and dear to me to not gift me anything. I am more than happy with a card/flowers and ask for nothing more. I genuinely detest when people flex their gifts of the latest Louis Vuitton bags and Jimmy Choo shoes. If you enjoy them, more power to you. Be more about experiences than things.
Has this ever happened to you?? Share your stories with me, I would love to know.
If you would like to get onto planning out your finances, NOW is the best time to get started. Find my free PDF template here to calculate what your expenses should look like.
Planning Over Coffee 