In this age of materialism, accumulation and consumption, it’s no wonder that people go into debt so easily. Everywhere we look, we’re bombarded with commercials and advertisements designed to convince us what we need to experience true happiness in our lives. From what size house we should live in, to what type of car we should drive, to the best alcohol we should drink because it’s sure to provide us with the best night out and most fun with our friends. It’s out there, everywhere we look, and if you’re not careful, you could get sucked into someone else’s definition, or perceived definition of a happy and fulfilled life.
Have you ever stepped back to reflect on what actually makes you feel most alive and happy? What brings value to your life? Can you separate yourself from society’s pressures of telling you what it thinks you need to be happy and tune into your own inner knowing of what you think and feel about what really matters to you? For me, life feels best and most fulfilling when I’m in my horsey clothes and hanging out with my 22 year old Spanish Mustang, Hombre. And because I spend money to board him every month plus other expenses for his care, that means I’m modest in other budget categories: dining out, clothing and travel. I have no interest in buying the latest Louis Vuitton handbag or any other name brand bag for that matter, or buying a new car every few years or going out to restaurants every week when I can be filling my heart up connecting with Hombre as we walk down a trail or just hang out together.
You see, knowing what you truly value in your life gives you the opportunity and power to set in motion a plan to live in alignment with what you absolutely know is most important to you. I talk about this often and for good reason, because when you make a decision to value spend, you will be on the path to living a fulfilling and happy life. Maybe you don’t even need as much money as you thought to live in alignment with what you value most because it’s the simpler things you most enjoy: staying home to read a good book, working in your garden, playing with your children or grandchildren, hanging out with your furry friend on a Friday night, hiking, cooking for friends, or chasing butterflies! It’s your life, you get to decide everything that brings value to your life. Perhaps you would rather live in a smaller home so that you can save on maintenance costs and have more disposable income for those things you decide are of more value to you, or own your car for many years so you can re-allocate your monthly payment savings to other value-based categories.
To see more clearly what you value most in your life so that you can allocate your money to those areas, here are a few tips to get you started:
Value Tip One
Away from the television, your phone and other distractions, take out a blank piece of paper and write down all the things you do in your spare time that you know bring value to your life. If you did or didn’t include items on your list that involve shopping and buying stuff, I challenge you to dig deeper. Ask, How do my purchases enhance my life? Is there any lasting joy and happiness I feel from spending on these items? And by lasting, I mean for months and years. If the answer isn’t a resounding YES, then cross it off your list. Now keep adding and asking yourself those same questions until you refine your list of those things you are already doing that you value most.
Value Tip Two
Could there be something else that belongs on your list? Perhaps you want to learn to be a better cook, or maybe life has been so busy that you’re not making time with the friends you most treasure. Maybe you have been dying to try pickleball so you can stay active and make new friends. Okay, so add that to your list if you think it’s what will bring value to your life. Ask yourself the same questions as you did in Value Tip One above to know if these new ideas should remain on your list. So you get it, the idea is to know what brings value to your life and then to spend in those areas. You get to decide what brings you the most value and happiness in life (not society or other people) and that’s where your money should be going. You are allowed to say no to those things in life you don’t want to be doing if they aren’t bringing value to your life.
It could be that right now your money plan doesn’t allow for the cost of some of what you value (or maybe they cost nothing! Even better.), but the idea is to strategize and be methodical in making changes and decisions that lead you in the direction of spending more in alignment with what you value most than you are doing right now. If you can’t afford some of the items that would bring value to your life, just focus on enjoying the other value items on your list for now that don’t cost you anything.
Now that you know what you value most, keep your list with you as a reminder. Be sure to schedule your value items on your calendar each week and take notice of the positive effect it’s having on your life. Life isn’t about fancy things. It’s about spending on what you value most, in a deliberate and intentional way. That’s how you’ll create a fancy life!
