Wealth Checklist - Day 3 - Mend Something
Each evening this week will be a little task for you to complete to refresh your finances and feel a bit more put together. This is day three, find day one here and day two here.
That’s got to be worth a try!
Day Three - Mend Something
At the heart of personal finance is one simple truth, to grow wealth you must:
Spend Less Than You Earn
It just is what it is.
There are two basic factors you need to think about to do that - earn more or spend less - or both!
Over time we’ll discuss them both from lots of different angles but a particularly modern factor is this throwaway culture that’s developed.
Throwaway Culture
It’s easier and often cheaper, to buy new stuff.
Stuff isn’t made as well so it wears out quicker.
We’re more likely to be photographed and therefore seen.
We’re bombarded with sales messaging even when sat quietly in our homes. And the sales is less ‘salesy’ than it was, not celebrities off in Cannes necessarily, but more like a friend who’s just a step ahead of us.
Adolescence is extended because either we can’t take the necessary steps into adulthood if we can’t get on the career ladder or buy a house, or because our options are so fantastically wide that who would settle into drudgery?
Smaller things like clothes and makeup are accessible in ways that the bigger things are not.
Shopping happens from the sofa.
We’re not heading into town to specific shops for specific things anymore, but maybe ASDA where you can get your outfit, your makeup, your dinner and your TV.
All of this - and more - encourages the churn. New stuff to soothe the soul or reach the perceived next level.
The antidote is to:
Fix Your Things.
Cultivate a true personal connection with your chosen items. Everything in your home, or your life, was chosen by you at some point (even if it was a gift - you might not feel like it but I promise you have a choice whether to keep it or to send it to its next and proper home).
It might have been a choice out of necessity. Your tin opener might not be something to spark joy for you, but if it does its job and sits quietly waiting for the next time fancy some baked beans when it can have its time in the sun - well - that deserves celebrating.
Take The Time To Love On The Things You Already Have
And see if that helps you bring less stuff in.
Love Eleanor. xxx
P.s. If you enjoyed this and want to explore more about frugal living and intentional spending - join up to the free newsletter - every week there’s a question, task and quest to help you align your finances with your values.
