I am wasteful of my income. I blow it on impulsive purchases, piddle it away on eating out at restaurants, and generally deny myself very little. I have the objects of recent technology, I drive a newer car, and I have cable, Netflix, wifi high speed internet and a smart phone.
I have nothing in savings. I'm worth more dead than alive, due to life insurance policies I have.
What kind of irresponsible nutjob am I? I've been this way whether my income was below or above the poverty level.
I think it must be greed, pure and simple. It's embarrassing, actually. I've known this about myself for long enough to change the behavior but I haven't altered how I do things. I like lots of things about myself but not this particular character trait.
Monetary Profligacy. It's not for the faint of heart.
Do you think your overspending might have roots in your being poor as a child? (Obviously various people who were poor as children have grown up to be spendthrifts, and misers, and yet others seemingly normal; but all that doesn't mean it isn't affecting the people who do react.) Looking into that as a cause beyond just deciding you're greedy and that's that might help you figure out strategies to deal with spending so much.
ReplyDeleteIs the spending being used to try to fill a hole in your life? That maybe if you just had that one item your life would be better? Or maybe having the shiniest thing on the block is a way to try to prove you're worthy to the world? Some things to meditate on, at least.