It’s the choices we repeatedly make that determine our wealth.

It’s the choices we repeatedly make that determine our wealth.

Repeated choices.

If you are like most people, you think I’m talking about overspending. 
You think about the Hulu subscription that seems so little per month, but adds up over time.

You think about the barre class membership that you bought and never use and still haven’t canceled even though they aren’t even open during the pandemic. Because, you know, you really mean to go some day.

You are quick to beat yourself up or look for fault in yourself.

But I want to offer you this: 

You can make choices repeatedly that align with what you value in life.

Repeated choices CAN help you build money.

I repeatedly choose to pay my power bill.

And I am delighted to pay so little for so much.

My power bill pays for lights and air conditioning and running my computer.

I repeatedly choose to save for my retirement.
I delight in seeing my interest compound and multiply.

I get excited seeing the growth.

Repeated choices can drain your wealth 
AND repeated choices can create wealth.

Most people forget the second one.

It’s your choice.
In both cases.

What feeling do you think more stuff is going to give you?
Happiness?
Fulfillment?
Superiority?
Relief?

Think about what you have been desiring.

For me it’s a new car. 

Guys, I want a new car.

If I’m really being truthful with myself, I need a new car but what I really want is the feeling I think I will get when I buy the car.

I think I will feel accepted and admired.
If I buy the car that says, “I’ve made it!” then I think I will admired by other people.

Admired by friends and even people I don’t know.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to feel admired.

But in my case it’s a double-edged sword.

I also feel a little embarrassed about wanting an expensive, posh car.

Which means I can’t win.

I could buy the car and feel admired (maybe… that’s all conjecture on my part) and embarrassment (that’s for sure because I’m already feeling it.)

Or I could not buy it and feel deprived.
“I could have enjoyed the good life, but I’m not (wop, wop).”

But here’s the rub:
It’s not whether I buy it or not that causes pain.
It’s what I am making it mean that feels crappy. 

The only thing standing in my way is what I am thinking about having the car.

Embarrassment and admired vs. deprived.

I could choose to think thoughts that don’t cause embarrassment.

Like, “Everyone will love it for me that I can afford to buy a fancy car.”
Or, “I am an example of what is possible.”

I could choose to think thoughts that make me feel abundant, not deprived.
Like “Abundant people buy what they truly want.”

Or “It’s society that makes a diamond seem valuable or a Rolls Royce mean I’m important. I’m valuable and important without a diamond or a car.

”
So, if I can buy any car… thrifty or posh… and feel awesome about it, which one should I buy? 

(This is where your money baggage starts bubbling up.) 

I’ll let you know what I decide.