Yep, you read the title correctly. I'm going shopping today. I've been so focused on saving money the past few months, I haven't taken the time to enjoy the fruits of my labor. I don't have anything in particular that I want but I'll be spending some time with my sister. Her first request was to go to the mall. Knowing her, she probably end up finding a lot more things to splurge on and the day may end up being about me spending money on her. I must be crazy for taking a 15 year old to the mall!!
I know alot of personal finance bloggers will disagree with me but I think it is okay to splurge (within reason) every now and then. Looking back at my financial records, I've been able to save over $1000 each month. To be more exact, since I paid off my car in May, after all expenses have been paid, I've had the following amounts left over:
- June - $1,236.31
- July - $2,853.30 (I had an extra paycheck this month)
- August - $964.67
- September - $1,152.82
- October - $1,570.67
- November - $1,100.00 (Projected)
This will not be a normal splurge though. I'm only planning to spend $200. I will be leaving my credit card at home and I plan to go to the ATM and withdraw $200 in cash. Once my $200 is gone, I'm heading back to the house. Once I get back, I'll report how much I've spent and what we purchased.
I would agree that splurging is a good thing. Splurge just enough to get rid of the craving, but don't go all out. If you hold it all in all the time, it's going to come bursting out at some point. And instead of a $200 splurge, it's going to be a $2,000 splurge. My wife and I actually have a category in our monthly budget. Right now together we get $50/mo in the "$Blow" category. Money we can just blow into the wind and feel good about it ;-).
You're also very smart for pulling it out in cash and leaving the CC at home. Makes it easier to shut it off at a predetermined amount. For that reason we do cash for all the spending except gas (to much of a pain, and how are you going to splurge on gas right??) and bills. Works really well to keep all spending in check.
sounds fun to me! i just recently added a "fun money" account to our budget. any money i make by blogging/surveys/paid advertising gets split 50/50 towards fun money and extra debt payments :)
can't wait to see how your day went!
Nothing wrong with spending your hard earned surplus cash on something you want or need but, dude, walking around a mall until an impulse hits you? That sounds like shopping therapy, not splurging. At least have something you want/need in mind ahead of time. (Also, tHink of the impulse buying lesson you will be teaching your sister.) Anyway, have fun.
I think everyone should have balance if not you will go crazy and not know how to spend or give money to charities
Everything should be in balance