Financial Hangover Got Ya?

Did you get your first credit card bill after Christmas yet? It can be quite alarming can’t it? I call it a financial hangover. Many people loose track of what they spend over the Christmas season and when they get the first bill; UGH!

Now may be the time where you reflect back on your purchases and wonder was it all worth it? Did I spend my money wisely? Did I proactively determine how much I was going to spend? If you answer “no” to some of these questions you may be feeling shame, guilt, remorse or regret. It’s normal to feel these emotions and now is the time to make some changes.

Next time you purchase something ask yourself, “Is this purchase moving me closer to my goals and what value does this purchase support? Here’s a quick example: Jane was considering the purchase of a new watch but it was a little more expensive than what she wanted to spend. In her own mind she rationalized how much she deserved the watch and decided she wouldn’t tell her husband how much it really cost.

She bought the watch and a week later we discussed how she wasn’t really enjoying the watch like she thought she would. After asking her the previous two questions Jane realized her values of honesty and integrity were greatly compromised by her purchase. She decided to return the watch and be honest with her husband. Way to go Jane for staying true to yourself!