Are You Materialistic?

Sometimes I feel as though I'm way too materialistic. Yet upon watching shows like "You're Cut Off!", I know I'm not as bad as I could be. My parents aren't millionaires and I was never given everything I wanted when I wanted it. I was taught to say "thank you" for everything and I still really believe in the power of gratitude. I don't have designer and brand name clothing and shoes. I love finding deals and always search for the best deal on things that I buy.

But still, I sometimes think I love "stuff" way too much. I guess most of Americans are this way, though. I can't say I'm the only one who gets that itch to go shopping when I get some money in my hands. I'm not the only one who sometimes engages in "retail therapy". I'm not the only one who feels attached to material goods and just wants the latest and greatest thing and feels like I have to have it.

But I still just wish I could be the kind of person that is happy with all the things I already have and absolutely loves saving money. I was always the kid who had to rip open the box of my new toy in the car on the way home even though my mom said, "Just wait, we'll be home in two minutes...".

Isn't it crazy all the things we buy to keep ourselves entertained, looking beautiful, and happy? Every kid has multiple gaming systems, TVs in their bedrooms, books and games galore, yet they're STILL bored. Even as adults, we always want the newest cell phone, all our favorite shows on DVD, and the latest and greatest technologies. Is this really making us happy or is it just draining our wallets and leaving us wanted the NEXT big thing?

It is hard to say. I will probably always love shopping and the feeling of a great new purchase. I also think it is a good idea to step back sometimes and think "Do I really need this? Will this be something I use and love or will I forget about it in a month or two? Should I really be spending this amount of money on this thing?" I need to do this to not only save money for my future but to control the feeling of buying happiness and freeing myself from boredom.

What do you think? Do you feel too materialistic sometimes? Are you a spender or a saver?

Saving up!

I've admitted here before that I am not that great of a saver. My greatest weaknesses are probably new beauty products. I love shopping for clothes, but a lot of times they don't fit, I'm not in the mood to try things on, etc. But makeup, shower gel, face wash, anything like that....the newer and cooler, the better. It is terrible but I've thrown out half-used shampoo or something because I am itching to try something new. I don't even want to think of how much money I've wasted on these types of girly products. So here's a test for myself. I've decided I want to save up and buy a new (used) car. The one I have now is over 10 years old and is basically falling apart.

You get to help me. Here's the deal. Starting now, I will not buy any new beauty products I do not need. I will use my face wash until the last drop is gone and same goes for shampoo, makeup, etc. I will use what I own right now until I absolutely need to go buy something new because I ran out. Here's where you keep me on track. If I buy something, I have to post what I did and you get to yell at me! Haha! So wish me luck with my saving adventures!

Money Obsessed Culture.

Yes, it is time for another one of my rants on things I would love to change about our culture as well as myself. You may think I am a hypocrite for ranting on something I do myself, but that's the beauty of writing. I hope to inspire or invoke a change in myself as I write...and if anyone else is inspired, that is just a bonus and would make me very happy.

So, have you noticed that our lives revolve around money? More couples fight about money than most things. We stay in crappy jobs just so we can survive and eat. We want the newest and shiniest toys because we think spending loads of money will make us the happiest. We marvel at those with lots of it and aspire to be one of those people who has millions and can sit around all day.

I wish this wasn't so. I wish everything didn't come at a cost. I wish we didn't have to think about money every day, some people every minute. I wish I didn't feel like all our lives revolve around stupid little pieces of paper that get us what we want, what we need.

So, I am hoping for myself to save more and spend less. I think that every time I get the shopping bug, I will try to distract myself by doing something that costs nothing but makes me happy. I'll try to do something that makes someone else happy. I'll make sure the ones I love know they are loved.

Feeling Shopping Squashed

A funny thing has been happening to me lately. My urge to shop is *gasp* dwindling. I've written before on my not-quite-but-semi-close-to-"Confessions of a Shopaholic" addiction to shopping. I think I started to realize this love was dying on my birthday this year. My mom set it up so we could go to a shopping mall called Barefoot Landing.

Once we were there, it just felt... slightly boring. Maybe it was the fact my boyfriend was with me and I hate to make him wait around while I shop for girly things (I did buy a divine purse though!) or the fact I just felt like most of the stores were the same. I never thought I would be bored of shopping... it's what I do when I am bored for God's sake!

Today I decided I needed to get rid of some of my old clothes that were sitting in my basement collecting dust. I headed over to Plato's Closet to see if I could get some money back for some... and looked at all the clothes while I waited. I must say I found some cute things and some for just $5! But as I looked through them... I thought, well I'd have to try it on, I don't want to, $5 is $5 and I could be spending it elsewhere or saving it... yes, saving it. Perhaps this also has to do with the fact I saw my savings accounts dwindle from having to pay my looovely college summer bill.

Regardless, I am happy to have seemingly turned over a new leaf. Perhaps now I won't be buying useless things and enjoy what I do have. Perhaps I can save money. We'll see.

Summer Saving Fun Tips

$$$. Money. Bucks. Bills. Cash. However you name it... you need it. Finding myself spending too much and not saving enough I am here to write down ways to have fun without spending a lot of dough. Summer is right around the corner which makes it easier than ever to have fun with your friends and also save a little more.

1. Bike Ride. Walk. Run. Play tennis at the park. Play basketball. Whatever sport gets you moving, head outside and do it... you can do all of it for free if you have the equipment needed. Even if you don't, chances are you can borrow it from someone you know.

2. Find out where you can take a free class. Most exercise or art classes cost money but some offer the first week for free. I started taking classes at a local yoga studio and you could go no strings attached for free for your first week, trying out as many classes as you want.

3. As the weather gets warmer and you start sweating... hit the pool! I bet you know someone with a pool that would love to invite you over or know someone with a local pool membership. Even if you can't go swimming, fill some balloons or squirt guns with water or turn on the sprinkler. You'll have fun and feel cooler at the same time.

4. Love feeling girly and pampered but feeling the downside of the recession? Instead of getting a mani/pedi, grab a friend and do each other's nails instead. Love the feeling of tanning? It is going to get warmer, so sit outside for a while with a magazine. If your muscles are aching and you need a massage, grab a loved one and ask them to rub you down.

5. Pack a lunch from your house and head to the park. Not only will you have a nice picnic, but you can walk around and enjoy nature. Bring your camera and make a photo shoot out of it.

6. Feeling tired and lazy? Watch a movie with a friend or play some video games. You or your friend already owns these. If you feel like watching a new movie, call around and see who just bought the latest movie.

7. Dying to shop? If you have enough self control, head to a new city nearby and window shop. Afraid you'll buy something? Find a friend who is a similar size to you and grab some clothes you no longer wear. Swap it up! You both will have smiles finding some new clothes for free.

8. Go play with your pet! If you don't have one, head to a pet store and play with the pets for a while. It doesn't cost anything to look.

9. Trying to save money on your car? Wash it yourself. Instead of driving everywhere, ride your bike a save a few dollars on gas money.

10. Watch a local sports game. I enjoy watching my boyfriend play hockey and softball right now and it doesn't cost anything to head over to the park or the ice arena and watch a game. Who cares if you don't know anyone playing? It's still a fun way to relax.

Now, what are your ideas to save money this summer and still have a blast?

A New Goal Begins

Upon hearing that I didn't get the internship I applied for for the summer a few thoughts immediately rushed into my head.

Wow, a really generic rejection e-mail? Really?

My aunt works there... what a smack.

I was banking on making all that money for the summer to save up for the fall! What am I going to do now?

Thank God those feelings passed quickly. I am definitely glad to be feeling upbeat for the most part on this whole situation and I guess that tells me I didn't want it badly enough in the first place. I began thinking of more time spent with friends, summer classes to be taken, and just in general not working my butt off all summer. I am definitely not into working at Organize-It much longer (Sorry guys!) so I am going to start applying at places and this leads me to this entry.

I am officially starting my goal of only shopping for things I need and not buying things frivolously and managing my money better. It starts at a good time as my credit union is changing and I have to activate a new debit card tomorrow. New card, fresh start. 

To keep track, I'm gonna write on here all the things I spend. Having to write it all down for people to read will definitely help me. I still have to buy food and I definitely don't want to give up going to the movies with friends and what not... I still will have to buy certain things (shampoo, vitamins... you get the idea) but I will definitely try not to just go out and buy that new purse I am eyeing or anything like that.

Wish me luck! (And don't invite me to go shopping ;)