As I wrote at the end of the year, one of my resolutions for 2019 was to get a better grasp on my finances by tracking in a detailed way all of my discretionary spending for the month of January. It was a little tricky to do because of the way my husband and I separate our accounts and divide our expenses, but I analyzed the data as best I could. It was an eye-opening experiment.
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New Year’s Eve/Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. It’s an occasion to reflect on what has been and look forward to what will be, to process the past and leave it behind before making a fresh start. I love the hope that January 1 brings. Now that the winter solstice is behind us, I find myself getting exited about the days growing longer, the weather getting warmer, and all the adventures that lie ahead.
2018 was a year of transition for me, and also a year of joy. I spent most of the year settling into parenthood and finding a new normal, so until very recently, I haven’t been setting many goals or tackling new challenges (aside from the big and obvious challenges of caring for an infant and managing to keep the machinery of life chugging along). I now feel ready to reprioritize some of my former goals and begin moving forward again.
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Over the past few months (years?), a thought has occurred to me with increasing frequency: I spend a LOT of time, mental energy, and money on what I wear. From reading fashion blogs, to planning the next day’s outfit, to trying to find the perfect companion for that unique item I bought, to online shopping, to trying on and returning purchases, clothes and accessories have claimed too much of my life. So I’m ready to say enough. It’s time to refocus all that energy and money on more important things.
A couple of months ago, I heard an interview of Cait Flanders talking about her year-long shopping ban and her book The Year of Less. I was intrigued by the concept of giving up shopping for a year, so when I saw that the book was Audible’s Daily Deal last week, I decided to check it out. I’m so glad I did, because it is a fantastic read.
If you’re really on top of things and heed the identity theft-prevention advice to file your tax returns as early as possible, you may have already received and spent your tax refund. Good for you! We’re still waiting for our refund, because newborn (and, let’s be honest, because of the same procrastination that hits every tax season). Of course, not everyone gets a refund. Last year, we were in that camp and had to pay the IRS — not a fun surprise. But the average federal tax refund is $2,895, and for many Americans who don’t get annual or quarterly bonuses from their employers, it’s their only unbudgeted monetary windfall.
No matter your current situation, a couple thousand dollars can go pretty far in helping you to achieve your financial goals. As I mentioned last month, I’m making an effort to buy fewer things, and I don’t want to watch my tax refund dollars evaporate in a shopping spree, spent on things that will just further fill my house, only to be discarded in a future decluttering effort. If you’re in the same boat and are looking for some more intentional uses for your hard-earned money, here are a few ideas. Read more