The 7 Personal Finance Articles We Loved This Week
I’ve been spending a lot of money this summer. I think that’s something a lot of people can relate to — it’s not as out of control as the spending I was doing when I first moved into my apartment back in May, but still. We’ve had a lot of (super fun!) things going on, and over the next few months and beginning of fall, I should probably reign it in.
For example, I was out of town three out of the four weekends in August, visiting friends, family, and amusement parks. The fourth weekend, we were hosting a family member. And for some reason, I didn’t think to budget any differently for the month. I have a certain amount that I save each month to use towards trips, but it wasn’t enough to cover all of my extraneous spending. The biggest problem, though, was that all of my extra spending felt like it was beyond my control — and it wasn’t. I could have worked harder to not spend as much during my non-vacationing, “normal” days, but I didn’t. I chose to splurge on a few things that any other month would have fit in completely fine — a pricey Lyft ride, dinner out with a friend, meeting the free-shipping minimum during a Loft sale (#noregrets, though). But because I was already spending a little extra, those “everyday” splurges were a little too much this past month.
I need to change my money mindset. I loved J. Money‘s sixth pick this week, because it offers some actionable steps to do so. For example:
Every time you feel like complaining, ask yourself if it’s something you can change. If not, let it go. If you can, ask yourself how you can solve the problem.
Train your mind to solve problems. For example, you want to retire in 5 years. Figure out a solution (or multiple) on how to make this happen. Although it’s better to start small, say finding substitutions to ingredients in a recipe.
Be sure to check out the full post, as well as the rest of this week’s great picks!
1. The Big Book of Everything – Erik Dewey
“It is a notebook filled with all of the information anyone could possibly need to know about you.”
2. Why The Term “Starter Home” Should Bother You – Lauren Greutman
“Am I merely starting with this house? And later on I will upgrade a bigger, better, and more expensive home? Does the term insinuate that the house isn’t quite good enough? There are better things to come, right?”
3. Is the Stuff You Buy Over 20 Years Worth 40,000 Hours of Time? – The New York Times
“If I’m going to spend another 40,000 hours of my life over the next 20 years, what should I spend it on? How can I make sure that the micro-trades I’m making with each minute, add up to a macro-trade that will make me proud?”
4. 14 Money Goals Worth Working Toward – White Coat Investor
“The greatest reward in becoming a millionaire is not the amount of money you have. It is the kind of person you have to become.”
5. Are You The Biggest Stumbling Block In Your Life?? – Life and My Finances
“Wanting a lot of things just a little bit splinters your focus into too many paths, and in the end you probably won’t reach any of your goals. Instead, try this…”
6. The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Your Money Mindset – High Fiving Dollars
“If nobody else has already told you this, I will: if your emotions are all over the place, you will never get rich. Period.”
7. What Is One Thing You Can Do This Weekend To Cut Expenses? – Nest Egg Ninjas
“You don’t really need more financial advice. You need to get motivated, and get started…What are you still paying for that isn’t bringing you any happiness?”
Image via Unsplash
