I’m going to start this blog with a few disclaimers. I am 24 years old and know nothing about money. My parents were constantly in and out of debt growing up, never setting a solid example. I have a job that has constant cash flowing, and sometimes I spend that cash before I even count it. I am the worst person to write on this subject, but I’m honest…to a fault.
My biggest problem with spending is not material possessions. I spend on experiences. Concert tickets, dinners out, trips, you name it. I convince myself that I am making memories, and therefore my dwindling bank account is justified. In fact, I used my stimulus check last year as spending money for my trip to New York. How am I supposed to feel guilty about that?
I’m a woman who is not a huge shopper. I know it sounds like an oxy-moron. I like to think of myself as thrifty (some people say cheap, but I won’t give in to that stereotype). I can spot a clearance rack from a mile away, and won’t pay full price for anything. All of a sudden, I’m walking out with ten items at 50% off instead of the five I really needed. Doesn’t that defeat the purpose? I then go through a mental process that never seems to change. I feel excessively guilty, then convince myself that I work hard and deserve it. I tell myself that I didn’t really need the stuff and could’ve put my money to better use, then remind myself that I don’t do this very often and can go a little crazy every now and then. Whatever happens, I end up feeling empty about the whole situation.
There’s a line from an Everclear song that has stuck in my head for years. “I hate those people who love to tell you money is the root of all that kills. They have never been poor, they have never had the joy of a welfare Christmas.” It sticks out to me because it reminds me of more than one Christmas I have shared with my family. It seems we always say “We did what we could this year, but next year will be so much better.” The next year comes, and it’s pretty similar to the year before.
Paul said that we need to stop “borrowing from the future to pay for today.” I never thought about money in that way. I liked this week’s service because it made me want to set goals. As I get older, I realize that baby steps really are the only way to change. I can’t expect myself to put half of my income into savings each week, but an extra little bit is an easy transition. I can stick to what I need until I’ve reached a few goals, and then reward myself with one thing I want…not ten. This is not a change that I am excited about, but with the recent economic crisis, I don’t really have a choice. I’m young and haven’t figured money out yet. Hopefully, though, God will bless me with the ability to be wiser in my choices. I can then be a great example to my future children and help them to avoid the frivolity I have become so familiar with.
- Tiffany
Now that’s outta the way… to the blog!