Every year is filled with ebbs and flows of spending. While I've accepted and plan accordingly for this rather obvious reality, one thing I still struggle with is finding a balance between saving and living. It's such an important part of executing against your financial goals both near and longer term.
Splurge outside of your sweet spot on that Valentine's Day yolo experience, and you could have set yourself up to uncomfortably buckle down for a very tough recovery...or even single handedly dealt that kill shot to the heart of your budgetary goal for the year (with more birthdays, holidays, etc. on the horizon). Elect to bypass any spending on this special day...and you might be without your better half and all of the joy they've brought into your life as a result.
I'm not the person to proclaim in this essay where the line between the two for all people lies. It's different for everyone. It depends entirely on your unique financial goals as well as personal expenditure allowances, which are both driven by your values. J Lo absolutely put it best, "love don't cost a thing." To be clear - that's not said to absolve anyone of putting the time and energy into those special effects and celebrations of your loved ones. If your life is filled with love from any source, that alone is something to celebrate every day. However, you deserve to do it in a way that honors your financial goals, your personal relationships, your values.
Finding this balance and respecting it through actions will make the difference between struggling through the ebbs and flows of special events and riding these waves with confidence throughout the year.
At Optimist Living, we are here to help you find this balance together, and work towards it to pursue progress every step of the way in the year ahead. This year might not look as different from 2020 as we would like, but the end result can be miles apart with a bit of energy targeted towards meaningful growth and perspective turned towards longer-term dreams.
If you would like to arrange an initial session to build out your career or financial goals together, please reach out to us at optimistlivingwithemily@gmail.com and we will find time to connect!
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