Everyone has issues around money. Gambling, credit card debting, hoarding, big-shot-ism. To one degree or another, our idiosyncrasies play themselves out, once in a while or chronically, through the medium of money. Like food, another commodity that can take on enormous meaning, we reward ourselves, deprive ourselves, binge, purge or starve.
Ah, there are so many ways to act out.
My personal favorite is something I’ve heard labeled ‘anorexic spending.’ Lovely, right? That means that I don’t like to spend one dollar until I have a hundred or a thousand to back it up. I like to hold onto what I have and fear spending. This is not a viable formula for life.
Which brings me to exciting news – I’m in the process of furnishing a new apartment which I just bought. Clearly, I’ve overcome my condition (one day at a time). I move on Thursday. I’m investing in a piece of NYC property, and I want to add to what I already own to make it beautiful. I have money in my apartment account which I’ve earmarked for this occasion. It’s still hard for me to pull the trigger as I check out at Pottery Barn, West Elm and Restoration Hardware making purchases. My gremlins are forming a chorus and singing, “You can get it cheaper!” and “Do you really need that?” Familiar?
Fortunately, I’ve been working for years to reverse the old messages I picked up as a child. Those deeply etched beliefs arise as I’m getting ready to make a decision and ebb once I’ve clicked SUBMIT ORDER. I don’t suffer from buyer’s remorse. It’s more paralysis leading up to the spending.
I’m excited not only about moving and having these lovely new accessories to beautify my space, but also that I am offering a course starting on March 7 for others who would similarly like to improve their relationships with money. Whatever your financial issue, I can help you become more comfortable, optimistic and joyful around money.
Please watch my video talk about where I came from and where I’ve arrived at. I’ve been helping others improve their financial lives for nearly 20 years as I’ve continued to improve mine. This is not accounting or investing, but help for the dailiness of living where money is a constant. My 8-week workshop is called The $oul Proprietor’s Roadmap to Abundant Living. Please join me on this happy highway.
Oh, and jot down my new address: 66 Overlook Terrace, Apartment 6P, NY, NY 10040. It’s in the Hudson Heights neighborhood of upper Manhattan.
What a wonderful talk!! Even though I was there when you presented, I still listened to it all over again!!