I haven't been posting much -- and yes, it is probably related to the fact that I haven't been focused much on saving.
I seem to have undergone a sea change when I entered my sixties. Now I am more interested in enjoying my life, I guess because getting into this decade makes you focus on your mortality. How many good years do I have left? Not even if I live a really, really long time will I have as much time left as I have already spent. So I want to make the most of it.
Ironically, as I get older, I am feeling more beautiful. Not that I AM more beautiful, but I think I am much more accepting of what I am and I am enjoying it. (When I was young, and had a lot more going for me physically, I spoiled it for myself by being self-critical, never satisfied with how I looked. What a waste!)
So I have been spending more on nicer clothes, better haircuts, better skincare. The other day I bought myself a necklace and earring set just to finish off an outfit. It was on sale, only $30, but not too long ago I never would have spent that on myself just for the pleasure of it. And I felt great wearing it!
I am enjoying other people and experiences more, too. Yesterday I treated a friend to lunch at a trendy deli and didn't worry too much about the bill -- which was $22 -- again, not bad, but a little more extravagant that I have been for so long. Instead I focused on what a beautiful day it was, how good the food was, what a pleasure it was to walk in the sunshine and sit outside and chat.
All this is to say that I seem to be entering a period where I am spending more, and I like it. I know that I still must be committed to saving, however. I think when this month ends (my month ends on the 15th, when I get paid) I will still have $300 to put into savings. I would be unhappy if I could not meet that goal. I am also automatically saving $100 into my money market account, so really, I am saving $400 on a pretty modest salary. I will try to make that my bottom line, and anything I save above it is gravy. But I'm not going to pass on the little pleasures any more.
Checking in
May 6th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
May 6th, 2010 at 12:42 pm 1273149751
May 6th, 2010 at 03:24 pm 1273159463
May 6th, 2010 at 04:33 pm 1273163618
May 6th, 2010 at 06:45 pm 1273171512