I came across this article on The Simple Dollar today, and I really connected with it. The idea is this: each time you spend money, you are allocating some of your hard earned money (and sacrificed time) to purchase that item. Is it really worth your dollar? If you make $20/hour, is the $80 dress really worth 1/2 a day of working? Does it mean that much to you? Did you receive fulfillment in proportion to the amount of life energy spent? I found it fascinating to think about...how over time if you work for 40 years, that's approximately 100,000 working hours. How much of your time could you get back if you cut out a few frivolous things here and there? How much earlier could you retire? These ideas really helped put some things in perspective for me...and helped fuel my motivation to keep up the challenge this year.
I really enjoyed the article, and I'm currently on the waiting list at the library to read the book on which the review was written.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
4 Months
So, I've been working my way through the secondhand challenge, one day at a time, for approximately 129 days now (but who's counting). To be honest, I don't really even think about the challenge every day. Sure, there are times when I'm staring in my closet, trying to figure out what to wear (feeling like there's nothing that will do), when I have a strong urge to say f@#* the challenge and rush out to one of my favorite shops for a little retail therapy.
Most of the time, though, it doesn't cross my mind. Like yesterday, for example, when I was out on town lake, spending an hour kayaking with Marlen, my neighbor. We spent an hour paddling across the water, enjoying the sun, good conversation, and exercise for a mere $12 each. I had an "I love Austin" moment as we paddled back to the rental place, when we turned a corner and heard a beautiful melody played on one of the city's outdoor pianos that is set up on the trail overlooking the water, as part of the Play Me I'm Yours project. It's times like those that I could care less about stuff. I realize that none of it could bring me as much happiness as enjoying my time here.
Most of the time, though, it doesn't cross my mind. Like yesterday, for example, when I was out on town lake, spending an hour kayaking with Marlen, my neighbor. We spent an hour paddling across the water, enjoying the sun, good conversation, and exercise for a mere $12 each. I had an "I love Austin" moment as we paddled back to the rental place, when we turned a corner and heard a beautiful melody played on one of the city's outdoor pianos that is set up on the trail overlooking the water, as part of the Play Me I'm Yours project. It's times like those that I could care less about stuff. I realize that none of it could bring me as much happiness as enjoying my time here.(Photo via We Heart It website).
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