Celebrating the Small Stuff

celebrating the small stuffMonday night, I went to Target to do some Christmas shopping. My husband wanted me to find myself some sort of Christmas present so that I would have something under the tree. I know, why am I picking out my own present? Shouldn’t my husband get it so that I’m actually surprised? I honestly never really want anything for Christmas, and I definitely never “need” anything. So he has me look around and find my own gifts, that way he knows that I will actually keep it. I am the worst person to shop for—ever!

I figured I’d be able to find something we might need for the house at Target and I’d be killing 2 birds with 1 stone. This is where it gets exciting. :-) I walked around Target for over an hour and a half with an empty cart.

There wasn’t anything I really wanted (that we could afford anyway) and nothing we really needed either. Near the end of my visit to Target, I found a blu-ray for my honey…and it was only 5 bucks. It’s a good one too, but I can’t tell you just in case he decides to read this post.

Five years ago, I would have had no problem whatsoever finding tons of stuff to get myself. I also wouldn’t have been at Target, it would be Nordstrom. I’d start with the designer purses, move on to accessories and then look through skin care.

I could easily spend a few thousand dollars without batting an eyelash, I was good (but in a bad way). Before, if I wanted something, I would buy it. It didn’t matter if we had the money or not, there were always credit cards if my debit card was declined. I had so much crap, and I didn’t really appreciate any of it.

I suck at getting to the point. My point is that I’m finally realizing and celebrating how far I’ve come with my spending habits. I might not be perfect, but who is? I’ve worked hard to get to where I am and it feels great.

I’ve gotten rid of so much stuff and now the things I have actually have some sort of value to me. I know whether or not I need something and can summon the power to resist (most of the time) the temptation to spend because we have the money.

I think it’s important that we are able to recognize and celebrate our progress. Not just with our finances, but anything we’re working on. Putting in hard work to accomplish something is amazing, and seeing the changes is paramount to continued success and motivation.

 

Have you noticed any changes with whatever you’ve been working on?
How do you celebrate?

Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/armadillo444/3928430750/sizes/m/in/photostream/

About Jen Perkins

Likes: saving money, being debt free (aside from our house), zombies, travel, getting money, blogging and dogs. Dislikes: debt, being broke, bunnies, wasting money, not having enough money to travel the world and paying interest. Facebook  ♥  Twitter  ♥  Google+  ♥  RSS

Comments

Celebrating the Small Stuff — 12 Comments

  1. Good for you! I’m downsizing some of my possessions, too. I just have way too much stuff and it’s all too much to clean and take care of.

    I did, however, find an alternate antique for my husband to give me for Christmas this year. Yeah, I pick out my own gifts, too.

    • I knew I wasn’t the only one. :-) When I had tons of stuff, it was difficult to keep it dusted and not looking all cluttered.

  2. “I suck at getting to the point”. LOL that part made me smile, but I don’t think it’s true. Sharing your story helps me relate to you in every way. It’s nice to see yourself make such great progress. Good job and keep it up!

    • Thanks Carrie. :-) I never thought of it that way, I always thought people were waiting for me to ‘get to the point.’ I guess my blah,blah,blah’s aren’t all bad.

    • No, for a blu-ray movie. If they were selling blu-ray players for 5 bucks, I’d buy them all up and do a bad-@ss giveaway for you guys. 😉

  3. Yep, though I do stumble and occasionally fall.. but that’s okay. right now i’m struggling with trying not to give in to house-decorating-stuff-buying urges, though I’m so much better than i was. Big change for you too, a GOOD change though me thinks!

  4. You know we dont do that enough. The little things that should be appreciated are always ignored, as if they don’t matter.

    • You are so right, Marissa. We shouldn’t just wait for ‘big’ stuff, we should appreciate the small things and the journey as well. :-)