I enjoy having the opportunity to share a variety of different thoughts about personal finance here with you each month. However, the posts that are most useful for me to write are those that allow me to think through my own thoughts and experiences with money. I hope that these are also helpful for you. Of course, my experiences may differ from yours in ways both big and small. Nevertheless, I’ve always found that exploring other people’s thoughts about a topic help me better understand and articulate my own. With that in mind, I wanted to look back at some of the most personal posts I’ve shared with you here in the past as a way of beginning to look forward into a new year. I’ve added questions for you to consider in your own money life.
How My Decluttering Obsession Has Cost Me Thousands
Back in early 2021, I shared with you the story of how much I love to declutter stuff. This hasn’t changed. All of the reasons that I loved it then are still true. I enjoy regularly getting rid of things to make room for other things.
However, what I was realizing at the time that I wrote that was that I also tend to spend a lot of money on decluttering/ letting go/ getting rid of things. More specifically, I tend to spend a lot of money on junk removal services to quickly and efficiently declutter things that I no longer want in my home.
And, more specifically than that, I tend to do so when I’m decluttering because of overwhelm. My mental health has always been deeply tied to my material life and financial health. When I’m not well, I declutter, and I want to do it quickly, so I just pay what I have to in order to make it happen.
I find myself tempted to do that again right now. I have a lot of stuff overwhelming my space that I’m ready to release. However, I’m in a better mental health space. Moreover, I’m aware of my tendencies. Therefore, I’m pausing. I’m reviewing how to declutter without spending any money.
What is something that you do financially because of stress or overwhelm that you can do differently when you have a clear mind?
10 Ways Depression Impacted My Finances
I have always been very honest with you about my recurring depression challenges. They are deeply tied up with my finances. When finances are too stressful, it creates a tipping point that can trigger or exacerbate depression. When depression is present for other reasons, it impacts my finances in varied ways. This all remains true today. Knowing it, accepting it and working with it are key to making sure it doesn’t ruin me.
What is the relationship between your health and your money?
My Top Financial Fears and Hopes About Moving in With My Partner
In early 2022, my partner and I began talking about moving in together. It brought up a whole variety of different financial fears for me. However, I refocused and allowed myself to also explore the hopes and possibilities of the experience as it relates to finances. We haven’t quite put this to the test, yet. We are ready to move in together but we are very picky about the exact things we want in our home. Since we live in San Francisco, which is not inexpensive, our options are limited in terms of the things we want (which include a private yard for the pups). So, we’re taking our time. And this has really been the best thing. He’s much more patient than me with decisions, and I am learning from this patience, and it’s allowed us to have many conversations about money and homes, which I think have benefitted our relationship in countless ways.
What’s a big next step you’re taking and what are the financial hopes and fears you have around it?
Ethical Spending: 10 Areas Where I Want to Invest
I found it so helpful to review this post recently. We know ourselves. Then we forget ourselves. Writing down our truths helps us return to them again and again. This article is an example of that. Our expenses reflect our values and priorities. This is a roundup of where I want my money to go, and a reminder to make that happen.
It includes a desire to spend my money on independent makers, artists and creatives, as well as small and local businesses especially minority-owned businesses. This remains a primary focus for me. In fact, I practice artistic tithing, in which I commit at least ten percent of all earned income to go directly towards artists and other creatives. Right now, a lot of that is going into supporting writers on Substack.
In this post, I also discussed investing in charities, peer-to-peer lending, fair trade companies, and eco-minded businesses. These remain important to me but I find that it’s hard to research and really know the “truth” about any of these businesses so I’m very cautious about it.
In what ways does your spending align with your deepest core values? Where could it be better?
5 Monthly Habits That Are a Key Part of My Money Routine
At the beginning of a new year, it’s always good for me to review my routines to make sure that they’re still right for me. These five monthly habits continue to be key. They’re related to spending, budgeting, debt repayment, invoicing, financial education and money conversations. In 2024, my keyword to focus on is wellness. By this I mean holistic wellness – physical, mental, financial, creative, relational – and these habits remain a prat of what wellness looks like for me.
Read More:
- When Stress Causes Poor Financial Decisions
- Learning How to Talk About Money When You’ve Always Lived Alone
- 2024 Books About Money I’m Excited to Read Soon
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