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rebeccmeisterLast year, I made two New Year's Resolutions. First, I resolved to send out more packages, and thanks to an agreement with ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sytharin, I was able to do just that. We had a lot of fun sending packages to each other, and I think we'll continue to do so for the forseeable future. [Aside: When I was in Australia, I also picked up some phenomenal writing paper that has pictures of dung beetles on it. Now why oh why is it impossible to find writing tablets in the United States? They are so awesome, and they let me continue to use my custom-made envelopes created out of old calendar pictures.]
I also resolved to keep better track of my finances, and to start saving more money to pay off my student loans. As an incentive to save money, I decided to devote 1/4 of the money saved towards buying something expensive that I have wanted for a while--things like laser eye surgery and a road bike. I haven't saved up enough yet to buy any of the things I want, but I can tell you that it's incredibly satisfying to send off those checks to pay off my student loans. I also like getting my monthy bank statements and seeing how much interest my money is earning.
Interestingly, when I was in Australia, both T and R made fun of me for keeping track of every single penny that I spent (why yes, it *is* an anal-retentive habit, I'll agree). I'm not sure I was really able to get across how big of a change that has been for me, for if I am not mindful of every dollar that I spend, I end up spending all of my available money on things that I later regret (or so I assume; if I don't keep track, I don't know exactly where the money has gone, now do I?). I have never previously been able to consistently save up money, or figure out how to change my spending habits, but I feel like I have been able to make some good, positive changes over the past year. Now I have a new place to start--I have information about where my money has been going over the course of a year. So I can start to ask, did I spend it on worthwhile things--things that reflect my values and contribute to my quality of living? Did those trips to coffeeshops and bars make me happier? Have I put that new bike gear to good use? Do I regret my move to a more expensive living situation? Was it worthwhile to buy food at the local food co-op instead of going to cheaper grocery stores located further away (this is actually a really big question--a lot of the people I talk to complain about how expensive food is, but I disagree about where the expense occurs)?
I found R's mockery to be particularly amusing because he clearly pays very careful attention to certain aspects of his spending behavior (how much tobacco or certain food items cost, for example), even though he doesn't have to employ the same methods that I have found necessary. One of the most important things I learned from reading Your Money or Your Life (one of the few truly helpful self-help books I've ever come across) was the importance of feeling confident about making good spending decisions. And personally, I can't do that unless I know where all of my money is going. So I'll just keep smiling and shrug my shoulders because personally I'm pretty happy with how things have worked out.
Overall, with respect to New Year's resolutions, last year was hugely successful. But I haven't felt motivated to make similar huge resolutions this year. Perhaps I'm frightened by my own success. Perhaps I still need to figure out which aspects of my life I'm unhappy with and would like to change. I don't know yet.
sytharin, I was able to do just that. We had a lot of fun sending packages to each other, and I think we'll continue to do so for the forseeable future. [Aside: When I was in Australia, I also picked up some phenomenal writing paper that has pictures of dung beetles on it. Now why oh why is it impossible to find writing tablets in the United States? They are so awesome, and they let me continue to use my custom-made envelopes created out of old calendar pictures.]I also resolved to keep better track of my finances, and to start saving more money to pay off my student loans. As an incentive to save money, I decided to devote 1/4 of the money saved towards buying something expensive that I have wanted for a while--things like laser eye surgery and a road bike. I haven't saved up enough yet to buy any of the things I want, but I can tell you that it's incredibly satisfying to send off those checks to pay off my student loans. I also like getting my monthy bank statements and seeing how much interest my money is earning.
Interestingly, when I was in Australia, both T and R made fun of me for keeping track of every single penny that I spent (why yes, it *is* an anal-retentive habit, I'll agree). I'm not sure I was really able to get across how big of a change that has been for me, for if I am not mindful of every dollar that I spend, I end up spending all of my available money on things that I later regret (or so I assume; if I don't keep track, I don't know exactly where the money has gone, now do I?). I have never previously been able to consistently save up money, or figure out how to change my spending habits, but I feel like I have been able to make some good, positive changes over the past year. Now I have a new place to start--I have information about where my money has been going over the course of a year. So I can start to ask, did I spend it on worthwhile things--things that reflect my values and contribute to my quality of living? Did those trips to coffeeshops and bars make me happier? Have I put that new bike gear to good use? Do I regret my move to a more expensive living situation? Was it worthwhile to buy food at the local food co-op instead of going to cheaper grocery stores located further away (this is actually a really big question--a lot of the people I talk to complain about how expensive food is, but I disagree about where the expense occurs)?
I found R's mockery to be particularly amusing because he clearly pays very careful attention to certain aspects of his spending behavior (how much tobacco or certain food items cost, for example), even though he doesn't have to employ the same methods that I have found necessary. One of the most important things I learned from reading Your Money or Your Life (one of the few truly helpful self-help books I've ever come across) was the importance of feeling confident about making good spending decisions. And personally, I can't do that unless I know where all of my money is going. So I'll just keep smiling and shrug my shoulders because personally I'm pretty happy with how things have worked out.
Overall, with respect to New Year's resolutions, last year was hugely successful. But I haven't felt motivated to make similar huge resolutions this year. Perhaps I'm frightened by my own success. Perhaps I still need to figure out which aspects of my life I'm unhappy with and would like to change. I don't know yet.
