One of the best things about this Spending Fast process has been the possibility of getting to a point of being autonomous and not owing anything to anyone. How great would it be to not owe money to credit card companies, school loan companies, banks or parents?
Oh. It. Would. Be. Amazing.
For me, autonomy is about being personally independent. The reality is if you’re accepting money from someone they get a say in how things happen. Or, at least they’ll think they get a say in how things happen which can sometimes render more grief than if they actually had their way. Really, I’m finding that I can’t be all that independent if I’m financially dependent on someone or some bank or some line of credit.
That line of credit, that “bail out” is just a big fat white collared anchor attached to your leg; a ball and chain that has good grammer and has been looked over 20 thousand times by a lawyer charging $300 bucks an hour; it’s someone jumping out of a plane with no parachute and asking you to hold their hand on the way down. Geez. that’s more depressing then I intended it to be.
If you need to borrow anyone’s money, have ever borrowed anyone’s money or currently owe anyone money the people/businesses probably have a say (or want) a say in how things go down. Who doesn’t know a father that gave money to a daughter for her wedding but put stipulations on that money? They want a say in who can and can’t be on the invite list, if you are allowed to live “in sin” before marriage or not and even if alcohol is served at the reception or not. Or what about the gift that is given with strings attached? If you haven’t ever been given money or a gift with strings attached than you are probably in denial to the whole situation while everyone talks about it behind your back or you are a lucky chap who also just so happens to be a leprechaun with a pot of gold at your beck and call.
Really, money brings up all sorts of feelings and expectations for people and how people spend money shows where a persons priorities lie in life. So, then that brings up feelings and emotions and deep down things that we thought we had already talked to death about but turns out, we hadn’t dealt with it like we had thought.
This Spending Fast is helping me get to a place of autonomy in the long run. It’s hard to remember all this when I’m in the moment and want to buy something that would make my life easier for the moment.
My motto has always been “You either spend time or money” and now, I’m spending the time to get my stuff in order and paid off and develop a life being autonomous.
Anna – thanks for this post and your dedication to this spending fast. It is inspiring. I enjoy keeping up with your progress! Thank you for being so transparent with your readers.
Owe no man anything but love. Some pretty age old wisdom your following. An awesome goal! One to aspire to.
Love the letters. Thank you.
Ha I meant owe no man Nothing but love! One little word makes a big difference :)
Or whatever… You know what I mean
This is very inspiring Anna. I am glad I found your blog and will be following your progress. Just think of the wonderful habits you will have attained by the end of the year. My feeling is that once your year is over, you may go have a heyday at the mall and/or starbucks for a minute, but you’ll have a new sense of how you want to spend your money in the future.
I’m considering following in your footsteps, well sort of- maybe not so hardcore, but the thought of being out of debt is so awesome, I really want to figure out ways to save $ and put it towards my debt.
Thanks for the inspiration and keep it up!
P.S. have you thought of adding an email subscription to your posts via Feedburner?