This might have to do with the fact that I become a little wiser as well as older. I used to celebrate my birthday as a month. Going out every weekend, splurging on a new outfit, buying stuff. These things did not add to my life, instead it would create a stressful November. Meaning I would have to figure out how to pay for all of it. When I found the debt free community, I found that I did not have to live with stress that I created for myself on an annual basis. This is because I lived the month of October as the popular saying goes, “TREAT YO SELF.”
Not exactly a cornerstone of Financial Independence.
So, how did it change the way I celebrate my birthday. I made a little list.`
- No longer viewing it as a month when in reality it is one day. This makes my birthday appear more special
- Treating myself to one nice dinner, which keeps me under budget.
- I also no longer buy a whole new outfit. It used to be that everything I was wearing was new, and then I most likely never wore it again. Which is so far from the more minimalist life-style I live now. I focus on classics and how long an item will last me.
- Focusing and relishing experiences rather than buying material goods. Experiences last longer than material items, which will lose value or fashionable status.
- Become more appreciative of my time.
All this means is that I am no longer accruing more debt to pay for any extravagant birthday gifts to myself. Becoming more appreciative of my time really is a focal point, I am not using my time to buy more stuff. This means I can allocate time for things that I actually enjoy – my hobbies, family, and friends.