Spending, Target-Style

Financial freedom is my focus right now. It is important to me to feel "out from under" my financial situation, and to feel more free and confident with my debt management, spending, and saving.

That said- I haven't set any concrete plans for this, aside from reducing my grocery budget and keeping it firm (three weeks and going strong!).

"Less debt, more saving" isn't exactly a measurable end goal. It's hard to know what's realistic, and none of it sounds especially promising with my current income.

I do know I don't want a luxury car. I don't want a bigger house. I don't want designer handbags.

I do want a pool membership next summer. I do want play money to take my son to the movies, go grab dinner out on a whim, or get a manicure.

I'm more "Target" spending than "Bloomingdale's" spending, and I'm aiming to stay out of Walmart all together.

Interestingly though,  money habits are directly related to social life and lifestyle. Without living like an ascetic monk who took an oath of solitude, how does not spend? No dinners out, ever? No guests, ever? No to birthday party invites? Weddings? Reunions?

I look at money as one of our precious finite resources. It is important to me that I spend it wisely and in alignment with my values and preferences. I don't want to spend money mindlessly or because I somehow feel obligated to. But I also don't feel like I have enough of it to ....

Be myself?

My true self is generous and spontaneous and free-spirited. I love to invite people over, grill some food, grab a case of beer. Buy gifts for friends just because. Or surprise my son on a low key afternoon and take a couple hours at the arcade. I love to donate. To give. To host and help. To not feel stressed constantly.

And my spending isn't in alignment with that. It IS in alignment with getting me out of debt. Which is important. But feels like such a far-away goal, and in the mean time, my "self" is stifled.

Not to mention my "self" is wearing saggy clothes from before a 20-pound weight loss, and not exactly feeling fierce in them.

This is definitely me in a poverty mindset, in a state of lack.

I'm not accepting it, though. I know there's a solution. Something can be different. The answer isn't "more work." Of that I'm sure.

But I'm working toward spending Target-style, and I'm open to ways to get there.