Comments on: Are You Spending Intentionally?

By: marci357

marci357 — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:31:27 +0000

Aimee – I agree with you to a point – and we all have “something” that we will gladly spend the time on. Once you are debt free, there is a guilt-free feeling to splurging more often… but until the mortgage was paid off, I couldn’t feel good about paying someone to do the lawn when I could do it myself… I just looked at what I was spending on lawn mowing (say $50/month? average year round?)… and said, hey – what if I put the $50 on my mortgage every month? (USe any number $10 to $100/month)… How many years can I cut off my mortgage by cutting the lawn myself and putting that $$ towards the mortgage…. when I figured out the lessening of the mortgage years,(on line amortization schedules) (and how much less I would spend on interest), I was happy to mow my own lawn

By: Aimee

Aimee — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:40:42 +0000

Wow – this post absolutely hit the nail on the head. I love reading “money” blogs and getting all the great ideas about how to be frugal. One thing I’ve struggled with, though, is that it often seems that people are worshipping at the alter of frugality rather than just simply being good stewards of whatever it is they have. My husband and I very blessed to have well paying jobs and frankly the time and energy many dedicate to squeezing that last red cent out of every single situation just doesn’t make sense for us. There are a lot of things that are worth the money to me (like having our lawn mowed so the kids and I get those 2 – 3 hours with my husband).

By: heaps!

heaps! — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:46:43 +0000

I think too much of my money is spent unintentionally. Sometimes I get caught up in a moment; Like, spending $300 shopping when I really only needed a pair of shoes. Or, buying a round of drinks for friends when our team scores. Sometimes these moments really get the best of me and after it’s done, it’s done.

Your post is brilliant and really opened my eyes to the mistakes I have been making with my money. These moments of spending are completely unintentional, I’m quite controlled when it comes to money in most cases. I’m not sure how to “solve” my problem, but your post has inspired me to take more initiative. Thanks!

Cheers,

Janelle

By: Anna B

Anna B — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:07:40 +0000

Thank you so much for this article! I get so discouraged when I read many of the frugal articles on blogs… it’s all about how to combine 3 coupons and a sale to get something for free, or how you should only spend $50/mo per person on groceries, and it really IS a contest! I end up feeling discouraged and inadequate.

The idea of making sure my spending is intentional and reflects my values really resonates with me. As a person with strong faith, I do a lot of donating to individuals and organizations, which takes up a good chunk of my budget. But, that reflects my values!! I don’t have to feel bad about the fact that I spend more than another person, if I spend intentionally according to what I believe God is leading.

Thank you again for your encouragement in this area!!

By: Donna Freedman

Donna Freedman — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 23:39:37 +0000

@MakesRealMoneyOnline: I disagree that nobody “feels good cutting back to the bare minimum.” Even discounting the obvious nuns and monks — and there IS joy in service, no matter what you may perceive about the lacks in such lives — there are people for whom minimal living feels pretty darned good. A few examples:
Those who practice voluntary simplicity
People working their way out of debt
Artists who live on little but who remain true to their visions
At-home parents who cut costs in order to be full-time moms or dads
I lived very close to the bone myself, after leaving an awful marriage. Now I make my living writing about frugality and money management, both for MSN Money and on my own site. Believe me when I say that it’s possible to have material goods and still be miserable enough to die, and to find that rice and beans and a library book can make you feel very happy indeed.
Besides, spending intentionally does not necessarily mean the same as bare minimum. It simply means making sure that your money is going where you want it to go.

By: MakeRealMoneyonline

MakeRealMoneyonline — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 17:44:57 +0000

I am not saying people shouldn’t watch their spending but who feels good cutting back to the bare mininum, nobody. One thing I learnt from Robert Kiyosaki is for you to plan on increasing your means of making more money. Educate yourself on how wealthy people think, find a mentor & learn from them

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