Posted on

Real Artists Focus

Saving energy for what is most important

In his book The Icarus Deception, Seth Godin describes artists as “fairly normal” when they are not creating art. He goes as far as to call them “boring” the rest of the time. But wouldn’t you expect an artist to be an artist all the time?

circular-stairs_

First, what is art? Art is what you would do even if no one ever saw it. It is your God-given desire to create and express your unique shade of excellence.

Who is an artist? Anyone who actively creates. Painters, musicians, construction workers, bartenders, teachers, and dentists all start on the same level. Some become artists, while others consume art.

Back to the original question: Should an artist be an artist all the time, in all aspects of life?

Posted on

What is Your Financial Priority?

Attacking your financial goals one at a time

How many financial priorities do you have? Do you spare money in certain facets of your life in order to have a large percentage available for a few important goals? Or do you spread your money everywhere under the sun — thin and sparse?

chandelier_

After I graduated college, wife and I wondered what to do with two incomes. Do we pay extra on a home mortgage? Do we pay off our student loans? Or do we squirrel away money in savings?

Or, should we do all three?

Posted on

People Pleasing is Expensive!

Good luck not going broke while trying to impress others

A friend said with a smirk, “Are you going to buy a brand new car? You should. You should definitely buy a new car.” Even though she knew wife and I were looking to replace our tired old Camry with a nicer used car.

DSC_9363_

Despite knowing my bent away from debt, she was serious. She fully believes it is a good deal to buy a new car. Low payments. No miles, problems, or repairs for many months.

Andrew was not on board.

First, I disagree with how she rationalized the decision. (Note how rationalize is pronounced “rational lies.”) I later learned she was about to buy her own new car and wanted me to do the same to affirm her decision.

Second, I better realized just how expensive people pleasing is.

Cause that’s what was at stake — someone’s approval.

Posted on

When You Can’t Have Any Brownies

The result of wanting what you can't have

It’s fascinating how badly we want what we cannot have. Specifically, let’s apply the concept to food. After that, let’s switch to money.

brownies_

In college, wife was trying to lose a few pounds. She tried to be strict about her food intake. No second helpings, no candy, and no dessert.

But in the stress of the moment, she found herself collapsing under the weight of her desire for brownies she couldn’t have.

And she gave in.

Posted on

How to Simplify Your Decisions

An introduction to opportunity cost

When you don’t have money, everything is appealing. From nice clothes to souvenirs to a newer car — it all screams at you, “You want me! You need me!” The question is: Does it get easier to avoid materialism as you get better at handling money?

DSC_1487_

As you gain financial discipline, the power of “stuff” seems to fade slightly. After flexing your “no” muscle for months and years while you live on a tight budget, you will likely find it easier to resist the temptation to make superfluous purchases.

You no longer see purchases as a way to become happy. Instead, you begin to see purchases as forfeiting hard-earned money for an object. You are no longer blind to opportunity cost — the “cost” of choosing one option instead of another.

Understanding opportunity cost means thinking long term, big picture.