Comments on: Be (Financially) Eccentric

By: ManishaThakor

ManishaThakor — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:21:00 +0000

One theme I’m hearing over and over from readers (and seeing in my own life!) is the degree to which feeling good is really the end goal —> thus altering our money behaviors and attitudes / engaging in mindful spending is a serious way to maximize that joy… and then the follow on of increased financial peace. Thanks so much for sharing, Barbara!

By: Barbara Friedberg

Barbara Friedberg — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:32:00 +0000

Attitude and perspective are huge. I can feel wealthy when I’m in a great mood and lots of money anxiety when I’m tired. Mindful spending ups one’s life pleasure.

By: Ariane Benefit

Ariane Benefit — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 00:53:00 +0000

Exactly! The pressure is both societal and internal..it’s a loop : ) My answer to this was to shift my whole being into looking for and defining “enough” as a range – the bare minumum became my “foundation of enough”- everything over and above that is my luxury. The more I do this, the more my luxury has expanded. In an odd way, the more secure I became that I will always have , do and be enough, and anything above that is “extra” juiciness, my financial stability grew and grew – even during this rough economy.

I just have this inner calm that comes from feeling that enough is easy to have – it’s as inevitable as breathing. It will always be there. I can relax. Everything over and above is done for the pure enjoyment of it. I do charge people for my work but how much I make is no longer a measure my self-worth or accomplishment, etc., it’s a means to have the funds available to reinvest in my ability to be of greater service.

I’m getting too deep now…suffice to say that the power of focusing on defining my enough line instead of my “goals” was a key ingredient in my personal MoneyZen soup : ) The word Goals always made me feel like my present situation wasn’t good enough if that makes sense.

I’m so enjoying your sharing your journey toward a framework for guiding women to their MoneyZen. We really need an alternative to the overkill of Suze Orman…i VOTE FOR YOU!!!! : )

By: ManishaThakor

ManishaThakor — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:57:00 +0000

Oooh, Sharon, you used a phrase that really resonated with me, “I always feel happier after…”
This might be an interesting exercise –> at the start of each day ask ourselves: ” I always feel happier after…” and let THAT guide us, especially when financial decisions or dilemmas present themselves.

By: ManishaThakor

ManishaThakor — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:54:00 +0000

This line really struck me – “I fully believe that financial success has more to do with using scarce resources wisely than how many expensive things we have.” I’m having trouble articulating it but I’ve got this visual of us all walking through life on these tight ropes anchored between “there” and “here”… and there’s a point in between where each of us can stand centered. Finding the right mix (scarce resources!) for your personal rope perhaps is the journey we are intended to make in this life.

By: ManishaThakor

ManishaThakor — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:44:00 +0000

Oh my, now you’ve given me the goosebumps – what you wrote here, powerful words, Arianne: “Ahhh…I can breathe…I don’t need ‘more’ to be happy…more by definition is never NOW. Enough is something I can achieve…and keep redefining as needed.”
Today I saw a stat in Michelle Singletary’s newsletter (fab personal finance columnist for The Washington Post) that a new Fidelity study reveals “42 percent of millionaires say they won’t feel wealthy until they have at least $7.5 million.” As crazy as it sounds… I so get that. It feels like our heads are hardwired to zoom right past wherever we are and want More, More, More. No matter what it is… nope, it feels like its not enough.
In the face of that relentless societal pressure (is it societal?), having some sort of rhythm or ritual to relish the “Enough” of the moment would be amazing indeed.

By: ManishaThakor

ManishaThakor — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:32:00 +0000

Love this – see Janet’s comment. You two are on to something

By: ManishaThakor

ManishaThakor — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:29:00 +0000

I wonder if there is some sort of mental “money joy” exercise that we can each undertake. Sort of a mantra or a meditation that becomes part of our daily ritual. Reading your (wonderful) interpretation of Todd’s book I felt the warm surge of “hope” that might come from that type of financially nurturing practice… Here’s to exploring this more. Thanks, Janet!

By: ManishaThakor

ManishaThakor — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:21:00 +0000

As I was reading your comment, suddenly “Be Here Now” by Ram Dass ran through my head. So I went to Wikipedia (for better or worse and found this notation from a doctoral student who referenced that book in his work: “[people] thinking about something other than what they’re doing [...] doesn’t take them to a happy place”. Seems like so much of modern society is focused on something other than what we are doing. Your comment captures that essence as it relates to money spot on. Thanks for sharing, Mindy!

By: Mindy Crary

Mindy Crary — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0000

What a great post . . . it makes me think of the concept of joy and peace regardless of your financial contraction or expansion. Money can play as large or as small a role in your day-to-day thinking (worrying) as you want it to, and by focusing on your joy in the moment, you have a greater likelihood of achieving ongoing financial peace.