Chief Spending Officer is the newest term I’ve come up with in our household.
I was trying to figure out what to spend some of my Playcheck on and struggling as usual with the task (sadly). My wife offered to help and she said “I have things I want to buy.” How is it that she has no problem coming up with things she wants to buy?
I have mentioned our christmas list. I think that’s a great idea for always tracking things that you want for yourself (and others) with the holiday gift mentality in mind.
I also have my “Don’t Forget List” that has tasks, things to learn, and things to buy, but it’s more geared toward everyday stuff.
Here’s the strange part. I often lay in bed at night, or first thing in the morning, and think, if I could do anything, or buy anything, what would it be? I can’t really answer that question. Not realistically at least.
It seems as if I feel like I have much more than I ever wanted–full-time, free time—being by far the best possession.
I find the idea of buying smaller neat things to be easy on my mind/stress. We could buy $50 items all week long. We can buy $500 items every week, or $1000 items every month without hitting our MoJo ceiling.
I think about how the splurge Peloton bike at $800 had no impact. I think about a $500 guitar or a $500 edelbrock carb. No impact. A $2000 scooter or motorcycle purchase, had no impact (motorcycle since sold-no impact either). I could even buy a $2000 ebike or 84” TV or a new laptop. I find I don’t really want many more things, at least not very often.
It kind of comes back around to when I wanted some thin, light-colored, stretch jeans a few months ago. I went to the outlet mall for hours and bought a $10 pair that was close but not perfect. It was my 3rd purchase and none are perfect. I should have just bought the right jeans brand new for $30-40. What is wrong with me? I didn’t even start talking about the 6 pairs of exercise socks for $8 or $10 dilemma.
It’s the large items that hit the accounts hard, but the small item purchase deferring are still ingrained in my being.
When I lay in bed I think, I could have a C2 corvette if I wanted. A bad-ass ’67, 427. I could have a new mid-engine vette if I wanted. What the hell would that help? Kathy already has a fleet of muscle cars and I don’t drive them, ever. (Note: I did drive the 69 Mach1 with the new edelbrock cars and 2nd gear was awesome when the tires broke loose-on accident of course).
The carb, the new hurst shifter, the peloton, the new flooring at the beach…all Kathy’s activities fully implementing her role as the CSO. (Insert: her first class 2A seat)
And, I will be very clear here. She deserves every single bit (dollar) of those items if they make her life awesome.
I love my life the way it is. I do have “things” on my Don’t Forget list. In many ways, that’s almost as good as getting some of those new things.
Final note: I’ve been good at giving away money and helping those around me who I think deserve something, and could use something, and for some reason, I’d rather they have some of my money than me. But, I am not as good at that as my friend Mark. When I think I’ve given well, he’s given better. He’s always better. I’m always trying to do/be better.
*** Nothing in this article is to be construed as financial advice. I am not a financial planner, nor do I pretend to be. You should always consult your own professional when seeking advice. This post is not a piece of literary mastery, just a random thought I had.