Ask Boo

Lizaboo
  • Home
  • About me
  • Contact me
  • Portfolio
  • Ask Boo
  • Categories
    • Beauty
    • Career
    • Fashion
    • Health & Fitness
    • Life
    • Love
    • Wellbeing
Login
  • Home
  • About me
  • Contact me
  • Portfolio
  • Ask Boo
  • Categories
    • Beauty
    • Career
    • Fashion
    • Health & Fitness
    • Life
    • Love
    • Wellbeing
Lizaboo
Life

Learning to Live with Less

lizaboo 8 Apr 2018 0 comment

I hold my hands up, I used to be the kind of girl that would eagerly await payday just so that I could splurge on a list of lust-worthy items I had stored at the checkout. Yep, before I’d even received any money in my bank account I was already working out the ways I was going to spend it. And then once it was gone, I would be in an anxious state of penny pinching all month because I’d bought stuff that I didn’t need but desperately wanted.

This vicious cycle would repeat itself on and on. Yes I’d save a little, but embarrassingly, not as much as I would spend. But come to the beginning of this year when I was no longer getting a guaranteed payday, everything changed.

Instead of wondering if I was going to be able to buy items bejeweled in sequins, I was left wondering if I was even going to be able to cover my rent.

It was a dramatic change to my lifestyle that I just didn’t see coming, and despite having some savings to get me by, they wouldn’t last forever.

At first I mourned my old lifestyle. I missed seeing something pretty and then being able to just have it instantly.

Once you need less, you will have more.

Suddenly my mindset had to shift. It now became about survival rather than luxury. Or at least that’s how I saw it in my mind.

But three months on from losing the security of a salary, and the way I see money and spending has shifted far beyond my old spend-fast think-last behaviour.

Every penny I earn, I have to think about where it’s going to go. And if it’s not towards the bills then it has to be something that I will get real value from.

It’s funny how you realise what you’d rather spend your money on, and the value of things truly hits home. For X amount I could buy that top, or go and have dinner with a friend I haven’t seen for a few months. What really matters the most to me? – I think we all know the answer to that.

Yes, it’s been bloody hard. I’m not telling everyone to cut up their credit card and go cold turkey. There have been sacrifices, I haven’t been able to do particular things with friends, go to the gym or spoil my family when it’s their birthday. I’ve had to be really resourceful.    

But wow, has it opened my eyes to the value of my time, my money and how I want to spend both of those precious things.

I was certainly no shopaholic, but now I look back on my spending habits and realise just how unhealthy it was to continually feel the need to buy things.

We can be completely ignorant to our spending habits. And not realise exactly what we’re doing. When you breakdown the time you spend at work, and workout your exact day rate, you realise that you might have been working an entire day just to buy something you’re never going to wear, or to go to an event you feel like you have to go to, but deep down don’t want to. Are you spending your time and money on the things you really want to?

Simple pleasures mean more to me now than ever before. I value moments, and I value the time I’m able to spend with my friends and family.

The freelance life isn’t for everyone. It is hard work and there’s no security that your going to get paid. But I’m so happy I got past the fear, because I feel richer in so many more ways.

Care less about what you own, and more about how you live.

I no longer spend time missing text messages and calls and feeling guilty that I’m not ‘there’ for people. I worked beyond my dedicated hours when I had a secure job, and put my health and relationships on the line.

It isn’t for everyone, but I’ve never felt happier, healthier, and I have better relationships with everyone in my life.

Even if you’re in the 9-5, take time to reflect and ask yourself if you’re really spending your time and money on the things that matter.

 

#Tags
mindfulnessminimalismminimalistspending habits

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Plus
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Previous Post

30 Before 30 – 4 Month Update

Next Post

Letting Go Of The Toxic Friendships

Ask Boo

lizaboo administrator

After spending five years being a ‘traditional’ fashion and lifestyle blogger, I came to the realisation that I wanted to write more meaningful articles that would inspire and perhaps give a little food for thought. We are spoilt for choice with the many blogs that are now out there giving us guidance on which beauty products to buy and the looks to wear, but it’s not often we open up and discuss real life issues. The one’s which sometimes we feel too shy to say out loud.

You may also like

///////////////
Life

30 Before 30 – 4 Month Update

lizaboo 10 Apr 2018 0 comment
Life

Letting Go Of The Toxic Friendships

lizaboo 29 Mar 2018 0 comment
Life

My 2017 Reading List

lizaboo 23 Mar 2018 0 comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me

“ Great things never came from comfort zones"...

Popular Post

What’s Her Problem?
1

What’s Her Problem?

2 Feb, 2016
2474 0
The Joy of Living Solo…
2

The Joy of Living Solo…

28 Oct, 2016
1336 0
Secret Feminist Ninja Warrior
3

Secret Feminist Ninja Warrior

19 Sep, 2016
1210 0

Follow Me

Instagram

Follow me

Ask Boo

Archives

Popular Posts : Life

///////////////
What’s Her Problem?
Life

What’s Her Problem?

2 Feb 2016 0 comment

Myself and a friend were recently the victim to a derogatory indirect tweet. You know the kind that is quite blatantly a sly dig at…

Read more
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Plus
  • Pinterest
  • Email
Secret Feminist Ninja Warrior
Life

Secret Feminist Ninja Warrior

19 Sep 2016 0 comment

*A Guest Post by Nicole Brooker* My first experience of someone who actively waved the bright pink flag for women in the world of work…

Read more
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Plus
  • Pinterest
  • Email
The Joy of Living Solo…
Life

The Joy of Living Solo…

28 Oct 2016 0 comment

I am mine before I am anyone else’s – anonymous   When people hear that you’re a woman living on your own, they give you…

Read more
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Plus
  • Pinterest
  • Email
The Future of Blogging
Life

The Future of Blogging

1 Jul 2015 0 comment

According to Technorati the number of blogs on the world wide web has gone from a mere handful in 1999 to an estimated 100 million…

Read more
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Plus
  • Pinterest
  • Email
And So It Begins…
Life

And So It Begins…

27 Jan 2016 1 comment

For months now I’ve been battling this niggling feeling that my blog was lacking a little sparkle, or Je nes seqoui as they say. At…

Read more
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Plus
  • Pinterest
  • Email
My Choices….Not Yours
Life

My Choices….Not Yours

30 May 2016 0 comment

At the beginning of this year I made a dramatic life choice. One that not only turned my own world upside down, but others too.…

Read more
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Plus
  • Pinterest
  • Email

It’s true what they say..

Lunar hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary adventure.

Latest Tweets

  • Tweet Avatar
    Lizaboo_Ponders
    @Lizaboo_Ponders
    Trying to think of fun things me and the boy can to do to celebrate 2 years together... any suggestions as I’m struggling 😬

    22h ago
  • Tweet Avatar
    Lizaboo_Ponders
    @Lizaboo_Ponders
    RT @rgladstone91: Just overheard a little boy call rhinos ‘warrior unicorns’ and my mind is blown

    3d ago
  • Tweet Avatar
    Lizaboo_Ponders
    @Lizaboo_Ponders
    RT @KafaeOn: Great Supper Club launch. Thanks to all involved for making it a great evening :-). https://t.co/1EVPj9sE5C

    4d ago

Recent Comments

  • Renate@www.renatesreiser.com
    Renate

    Thanks 4 the chapter!...

    March 10, 2018

  • emil180@o2.pl
    Emily

    You look like you are glowing :) Great review. I'm looking to become FM represe...

    November 1, 2017

  • Mrscakeymccakeface@gmail.com
    Cakey Mccakeface

    I always try to view the start of the year as a nice clean slate. An opportunity...

    January 20, 2017

  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
Follow me
2017 @Lizaboo. All right reserved