Vices
We all have our vices when it comes to spending money. Maybe it's the car you drive, the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the wine you drink or the trips you take. Your vices are fine, as long as you are selective and living within your means.
JP and I have our vices too. The thing you have to remember is that as long as you can afford it and budget for it, it's fine. But like Paula Pant says, you can't have everything. Those that "have it all" are usually broke and the price they pay is stress and no money. Live within your means, figure out your priorities and enjoy your vices.
I will be the first to admit that we are wine snobs. The low end of wine that we purchase is $40. In fact, this past weekend we enjoyed a nice bottle of wine. I don't feel bad about the amount of money we spend on wine, because we budget for it and it's delicious. JP is also a Bourbon snob, and thank goodness I have not hopped on the Bourbon train because it would probably be even more expensive. But again, we budget so it's ok that his favorite bottle is $65.
We are also food people. We love to cook at home but you're not going to see us eating hot dogs, Ragu and frozen nuggets. We like to eat crab, steak, oysters, fish, homemade sauces, etc. This is just another vice of ours. We don't mind eating at home for the majority of the month so that we can go drop $150 dinner at Sushi Den, go to a pricy happy hour at The Blue Island Oyster Bar or grab some fancy cocktails at a speakeasy. We don't like to settle when it comes to food and nothing disappoints me more than wasting money on bad food.
Yes, we have our vices but you're not going to see us driving a luxory vehicle, carrying a Louis Vuitton handbag, buying new clothes monthly or showing off diamond bracelets. Maybe one day these items will move up our priority latter but not now. I have been wearing the same work slacks for over 7 years, and I am ok with that because they still fit and look fine.
The hardest part of prioritizing our mortgage payoff is no more fun vacations. Right now we have planned a February Houston trip, April Dallas trip, considering a July LA trip for a Taylor Swift concert and another Houston trip in December. If we didn't care about having a mortgage payment, I would be planning a trip to Seattle, Hawaii, Japan or Philippines. I still like to look online to see the deals that are out there and they are tempting, but we have to focus on our goals. It isn't always easy to stay in your budget lane, and I constantly want to go on a fun vacation, but just because you want to, doesn't mean you should. Just because that shirt is on sale, doesn't mean you can buy it. No one said it would be easy, but it will be worth it.
My philosophy is that if you budget for it, you can buy it. For example, I had been eyeing a nice jacket for over a year and it literally never goes on sale. I saved up for it and this past December I finally purchased it. It has been the best jacket and purchase I have made in a while. And I didn't have buyers remorse because the money was there and all that is left to do is enjoy.
Budget your money, prioritize your desires and live within your means. It may seem basic, but Americans have proven that it is easier said than done. What is your vice? Comment and subscribe.
JP and I have our vices too. The thing you have to remember is that as long as you can afford it and budget for it, it's fine. But like Paula Pant says, you can't have everything. Those that "have it all" are usually broke and the price they pay is stress and no money. Live within your means, figure out your priorities and enjoy your vices.
We are also food people. We love to cook at home but you're not going to see us eating hot dogs, Ragu and frozen nuggets. We like to eat crab, steak, oysters, fish, homemade sauces, etc. This is just another vice of ours. We don't mind eating at home for the majority of the month so that we can go drop $150 dinner at Sushi Den, go to a pricy happy hour at The Blue Island Oyster Bar or grab some fancy cocktails at a speakeasy. We don't like to settle when it comes to food and nothing disappoints me more than wasting money on bad food.
Yes, we have our vices but you're not going to see us driving a luxory vehicle, carrying a Louis Vuitton handbag, buying new clothes monthly or showing off diamond bracelets. Maybe one day these items will move up our priority latter but not now. I have been wearing the same work slacks for over 7 years, and I am ok with that because they still fit and look fine.
The hardest part of prioritizing our mortgage payoff is no more fun vacations. Right now we have planned a February Houston trip, April Dallas trip, considering a July LA trip for a Taylor Swift concert and another Houston trip in December. If we didn't care about having a mortgage payment, I would be planning a trip to Seattle, Hawaii, Japan or Philippines. I still like to look online to see the deals that are out there and they are tempting, but we have to focus on our goals. It isn't always easy to stay in your budget lane, and I constantly want to go on a fun vacation, but just because you want to, doesn't mean you should. Just because that shirt is on sale, doesn't mean you can buy it. No one said it would be easy, but it will be worth it.
My philosophy is that if you budget for it, you can buy it. For example, I had been eyeing a nice jacket for over a year and it literally never goes on sale. I saved up for it and this past December I finally purchased it. It has been the best jacket and purchase I have made in a while. And I didn't have buyers remorse because the money was there and all that is left to do is enjoy.
Budget your money, prioritize your desires and live within your means. It may seem basic, but Americans have proven that it is easier said than done. What is your vice? Comment and subscribe.
Comments
Post a Comment