I asked the below question not because I have that money but just because I often think about how I would spend extra money if I did.
For example, I would certainly love, even adore, to drop a couple hundred dollars at the nursery. But this afternoon when I went, I couldn’t get myself to buy a single thing. I really want a couple bleeding hearts for the side of the house, and I was overwhelmed by the beauty and artistry of the new colors of corabell now available (Have you ever seen the Marmalade ones?!!!) I would love to lay a think layer of top soil over my flowerbeds, but the price always sends me home empty handed.
The question actually arised while I was organizing my cabinets in the kitchen. I would love to spend some time and money at The Container Store and buy some containers that fit my shelves perfectly and woul allow me to store larger quantities of flour, sugar, oats, etc. I have a few right now, that I love, but I would love to have one for rice, beans, nuts, qinoa you name it! I just love opening my cupboard and being able to see everything in there, all organized- in perfect balance. Okay dorky but true.
But then maybe I want to finally get rid of the cat smelling free couch I picked up. The one I always slightly crinch when guests sit on, because I’m worried they’ll leave my house, and wonder why they smell so weird- and then make the connection. Yet the rational side of me says that I should use the money for the many cans of paint we’ll be buying over the months.
I’m learning that money comes with a timeline. I like that, I love the wait. There is nothing more satisfactory than searching for months at thrift stores to find a certain item and finally finding it! When it comes to material things, I like to think I’m pretty patient, but that doesn’t stop me from at least thinking about what I would spend my money on- if I felt like I truly had it!
4 responses to “Clarification”
Um. Furniture? I’d probably want a new couch for the living room and put the old one in the basement. Do you suddenly have $500 to spend on your house?!?
Um, do you mean if I had nothing yet, or in my house as it is now? Right now I would buy a memory foam mattress. Ummmmm. Sweet dreams.
You could compile it with some other money from somewhere to purchase a solid piece of furniture ie..couch, entertainment center, that will last forever and anchor your room, or you could let loose and buy a number of accessories (lamp, art, knicknacks) that you might not otherwise buy. Or maybe you could buy lots of shrubs and perennials. This time of year I’m so torn between spending my extra money out or in. Have fun. Sometimes I make a list of needs and wants and then just prioritize. For me it is rare to get a big chunk of money together, so maybe you should go for a bigger ticket item (maybe a chair) that you wouldn’t just pick up on a whim.
Let me return some old school petersen (or shall I say harrison) to this conversation. The answer is: don’t ask the question. Never ask what would I do if I had $500. If you let yourself ask the question, chances are, you’ll answer it. And that’s where your problems begin. You’ll never regret having spent money you do not spend. The secret to happiness (or at least mellowness) is always lowered expectations. I recommend making a serious commitment to decreased attention to detail.