I am sure all of us come across many of the same problems every day when it comes to our money.. What do we really need? How much can we really afford? Are we going to regret this item that we are purchasing soon after we have bought it? What most people don't realize is that purchasing things is not only an emotional process, it is also an analytical process. The next time your at the store debating with yourself about whether or not you really need to buy those shoes, or that purse, stop and think about it.
Most of us were programmed as kids to need what we wanted. In reality you must learn to want what you need. Many people complain about the cost of their health care, or their mortgage, or a vast array of other things. I run into those same people everyday spending large sums of money at the mall. I live in an area that is on an economic downslide. People are losing their jobs. Families are being foreclosed upon and are having to find new places to live. Yet I spend an evening out at dinner with my family and the restaurants are packed. The drinks are flowing, the steaks are flying around, medium, medium-rare, well done. I can over hear some of their conversations. “How are we going to survive?” “I hope the bank will give us another month to get caught up.” Usually this is followed by “Hey miss can we have another round of drinks.” Why are these people out to dinner?
If your struggling with your finances I am truly sorry. Ask yourself though, am I the cause of this? I was taught as a child some very basic principles of personal finance. First, the fact the one must pay his or her bills first before anything else. I don't want to hear about your doomed financial situation while your sipping an eight dollar coffee hybrid. Secondly, before making any purchases really stop and think if this is something you really need or if your just trying to impress a coworker or a friend. While it might make you feel great that you were the first person in the office to drive the newest greatest automobile, Frank down the hall probably feels just as euphoric driving his old clunker and knowing his rent is paid. Next make sure your getting the best deal for whatever it is your buying. Most of you who will be reading this are probably over the age of twenty. If your still at the mall buying seventy dollar pants we have a bigger issue than your finances. Last but not least only purchase what you've planned to purchase. My girlfriend thinks I take this last point way to seriously. Often we are at the store and I have gone there with a select number of items I have planned to buy. While there I might come across an item that I could use, but one that I really don't need right now. I have the money in hand, and I rarely make the purchase. Why? I Don't really need it, and I did not plan to buy it. By the time we leave, I have forgotten about the item, and I have a little extra money in my pocket.
Our country is in the midst of an economic downslide. Some of which was caused by overly greedy financial institutions. We are not off the hook on this one though. Much of the blame falls on you and I. We all had to have our huge houses and our fancy cars. The money came cheap and no one thought that someday they would have to pay it all back. The purpose of life is not to obtain as many items as we can. This will never make you happy. How does that designer purse work as a moving container during your relocation to a smaller place?
If your rolling in money and can spend like there is no tomorrow then so be it. I would slow down a little though. Nothing lasts forever. My final advice to everyone is simple. We people of this earth do not need anything in life to be happy other than family and friends. Paying our debts on time will help a little also. Next time your at the store thinking about buying something your really do not need, ask yourself if your positive your not going to need this money at a future date for a more important purpose.
