The Power of Purposeful Purchases
It's not how much you spend, but the way that you spend your money that matters
When I first moved to New York City, I got takeout or food delivery at least once per day, often twice. I always justified it by saying things like “I’m super busy in the office” or “If I pick it up, I’m saving money on delivery fees, so it’s worth it.”
And then I moved to a new neighborhood, sixty blocks from where I used to live. I wasn’t near all the same restaurants, and I started traveling a lot more for work, so I cut down on takeout and food delivery. I was already eating out often when traveling, and I hadn’t bothered to find all the best takeout spots in my new neighborhood yet.
At the same time, I decided to prioritize working out, no matter the cost. Previously, I had never justified the cost of a gym membership, thinking that I could work out outside and that it wasn’t worth the cost. But I always liked group classes, and I hardly ever bothered to go for a run outside. My company offered a gym stipend of $100/month, and I would spend that, hardly going over, scared of spending too much money (and that’s like three workout classes, it’s New York City!).
These two changes, of course, caused me to feel—and be—healthier. Physically, of course, but also mentally—workout classes gave me guided time away from my phone, alone with my thoughts. Cooking more at home inspired me to look up recipes and try new things.
These changes also caused me to have more gratitude and enjoyment when I did get takeout, and enjoy working out outside occasionally, knowing I also had the option of my favorite spin class. And that is the key to intentional spending.
Try It For Yourself
Take a sheet of paper and make three columns.
In the first column, make a list—what are some things you spend money on that, whatever the cost, are the most important things to you right now? Maybe it’s getting your nails done at a salon, having a nice apartment with updated appliances, or only buying organic produce. Don’t think about the cost, or comments people have made—“I can’t believe you spend that much on that!”
Now, in the second column, make a list of things that you buy that don’t bring you joy—things that might even make you feel sluggish, upset, or sad. These could also be things you’ve gotten in the habit of buying, but now that you reflect, you realize these aren’t things you want or need. This might be clothing you buy online a size too small that you don’t fit into, fruit you don’t really like but buy at the store because you think you should eat it that goes bad, or subscriptions to streaming services.
Finally, in the third column, make a list of things that you don’t buy right now, but wish they fit into your budget. These might be things where you’ve said “If I had a million dollars, I would buy this.” Some of these might be crazy things that you probably can’t afford no matter how much you cut from your budget - a private jet, for example. Write those down anyway, but also write down the ones that might fall into a more reasonable budget—that expensive dress you’ve been eyeing from your favorite brand, a vacation to somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, or treating your partner to dinner twice a month.
Take a look between columns two and three. Jot some numbers down next to how expensive each item is. Are there some things you can swap, like I did with takeout and workout classes? Think about how your life might be different if you swapped these items.
Let me know in the comments what items you might swap going forward! For me, I think next I’ll swap fast fashion clothes for fewer clothes that are more expensive but will last longer and fit great.
loved this read :)
Disposable income shouldn't be disposal income.