Check out what I've been reading this month! Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less is about spending your time and energy on the few things that really matter—a narrow but deep focus. “It’s about doing less, but better….”
6 Steps to Setting Better Goals
After a whirlwind holiday month packed with loads of people and activities for which I’m very grateful, I found myself short on time for reading and writing. Who knew applying to public kindergarten in New York City was so complicated?! In this month’s quick-fire Fiscal Therapy, I hope you find the following tips on goal-setting helpful as you set your sights on 2017. Happy New Year!
Save Effortlessly, Not Mindlessly
Can technology help us create better saving habits? I recently read this article reviewing apps that aim “to make saving as effortless as spending.” While these tech tools can be really useful, it’s important that effortless doesn’t become mindless. How and when should you consider integrating a savings or investing app into your financial world? Here are a few reasons why an app might help your savings efforts.
The Line Between Effortless and Mindless
I've been thinking about the line between effortless and mindless spending. Technology has allowed a great deal of our spending to become effortless which is a great convenience. However, these conveniences also enable us to spend mindlessly, reducing awareness of and control over where our money is going. The faster our shopping experiences become, the easier it is to blur the line between needs and wants.
Delayed Gratification
I recently watched (and very much enjoyed) the Oscar-nominated film Brooklyn and was struck by the idea of delayed gratification and the enormous gap between life in 1950s New York and today. Travel, communication, errands - all of it drastically slower than today. Our ability to immediately gratify our needs and wants can’t help but impact the way we view and use our money.
Can the KonMari Method Declutter Your Finances?
I recently read Marie Kondo's book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I highly recommend it. Tidying up your home and managing your finances have a lot in common. Kondo encourages you to keep only what "sparks joy". I believe the same applies to your money. Your saving, spending and giving should be focused on what “sparks joy.”