Emotional Attachment to "Things"

Let's take a moment to think about our emotional attachment to "things." And their impact on your wallet...

Have you ever considered downsizing your home? How about downsizing your wardrobe, cars, and toys?

It's hard. Hard to think about. Hard to do.

We're emotionally attached to each and every item. The emotions are usually historical - children grew up in the house, you always dreamed of owning a BMW. But they may also be your perceptions of society - everyone has the new iPhone, I don't want to appear too poor to own a television.

Your emotions not only impact your investing, your daily stresses, and your relationships, they also impact your current "stuff."

And how often do you use everything stored in your garage? Keeping it in the packing box, just in case you run into that one specific, special situation, where you may need it...for ten minutes.

This is not to say that you should sell everything you own and live like a hermit. But rather consider the possibilities of owning less, making fewer purchases, and de-cluttering your current life.

Challenge the status quo, challenge group-think, challenge the advertisers, and the media.

Have you considered your emotional attachment to "things?"

Would you make changes?

The Excuse of Not Enough Time

Do you tell yourself that you don't have enough time to worry about your finances?

You make enough money to pay your bills, you don't have debt collectors calling you up, and the future is a long ways off.

Excuses!!

Your finances may not be your current priority, or possibly you don't want to deal with money/math/budgets, but these are excuses.

You need to "know" your money. You need to take control of your money. You need to make a plan.

Today!

The benefit will be impactful and will pay dividends for years to come.

You'll be able to plan ahead. Put your money to work for you.

So find the time.

You don't need to miss your favorite t.v. show, but maybe add your accounts to Mint.com during the commercials.

You don't have to give up Facebook, but take a few minutes to see if your prior month's spending went where you thought it did.

And you don't have to give up meeting your friends for drinks, but make sure your 401(k) contribution was matched by your employer.

You don't have to stress over your finances...just care about them.

Do you use the excuse of not enough time to avoid your finances?

Those Times it Feels Amazing to be Debt Free

Being debt-free makes me smile, every single time I think about it.

But I'm particularly happy about being debt-free when I surprise someone.

My wife and I are dipping our toes into the real estate market (this would mean debt and we're careful to use "planned debt" rather than "frivolous debt"), interviewing a few mortgage brokers and determining our next steps.

The hard work we put in paying off our debts will definitely help us on this journey, but the most satisfying part was when we were asked about our current debt during the interviews.

"And what debt do you currently have?"

"None."

"You don't have any debt?"

"Nope. We use our credit cards, but pay them off at the end of every month. That's it though."

"Really? How about education loans? Or auto loans?"

"Nope. No debt. We paid it all off almost two years ago."

"Wow! Congratulations. How much did you pay off?"

"About $70,000."

"That's impressive and will definitely help with your debt-to-income ratio."

Me smiling...

Yours in exploiting life!
Quinn

The Disease of Credit Card Debt

Spreading like wildfire. Weaving its way through our society. Infecting the young, the old, the healthy, and the sick. No one is safe.

Credit card debt is viral, it's taking over.

Signs of the sickness include frivolous spending and large, impulse purchases. Regret. A lifetime of interest payments and depression.

Some of those infected don’t even know they have a disease. They fail to recognize the signs. To admit they’re in trouble and seek out the nearest doctor.

Proponents and spreaders of the vicious malady include credit card companies, banks, retailers, marketers, television, and the government. Making purchases as easy as possible, the Devil's spawn have now made buying on credit as easy as holding your phone.


Caught between missing the next big thing and being trendy, consumers are choosing to live with the ever-growing symptoms to feel cool. To look cool.

A few survive unscathed among the growing apocalypse. Rather than succumbing to the inevitable, they stand alone but strong. Using only money already earned, earmarked, and saved to fund their lifestyle – they've managed to live healthy and stress free.

Offering help and education to those with the sickness, but overshadowed by the latest tech gadget, these few outliers can only wait, watch, and enjoy life - while the sick are ravaged by the credit card pandemic.

Don’t believe credit card debt is an issue? Check out the 2104 Credit Card Debt survey from CardHub.

Several articles have already been written about this survey and sound upbeat.

“The economy must be good, consumers are purchasing more. See look at the credit card usage.”

But this is a problem!

The issue - consumers are spending more, but they don’t have the money!

So credit cards are used, they’re not being paid off, and ridiculous interest rates are being applied.

Help stop the spread of the disease!

Understand how money, cash flow, and debt work. Understand how they can work for you and provide a healthy lifestyle. Or they can work against you, providing a life of worry and financial issues.

Educate yourself!

Our Individual Reaction to Personal Finances

I'm fascinated by others' reactions to personal finance.

An individual's behaviors, emotions, and actions are so unique, so personally them.

Many of us have these preconceived notions about money or how we should be treating money, and we lack real financial education - the basics - without the scare or sales.

We all get excited by the thrill of potentially winning the lottery, quick riches. We all get nervous about discussing the results of a family death (or even our own end).

But we don't talk about it.  We don't share, we don't learn.

We want the problems to go away or solve themselves - but alas, that won't happen. And this ignorance of the issue, results in terrible tragedy.

I believe we're all working our way to financial independence - whether it's a traditional retirement at 65 or a non-traditional "early-retirement"  - and each of our journeys are just as unique as we are.

We're given similar (if not the same) tools to help guide us on our quest. Our use of those tools (plus behaviors, emotions, lack of action) dictate how far (or how quickly) our journey will go.

Our relationship with our money is key.

Focus on this relationship. Learn about it, learn tools to help mold it, and then act.

Nothing gets done without action!

A life-long student of behavioral economics/finance, I'm constantly viewing the world through a lens of curiosity.

Why did she act this way? What impact will that news have on others? Why did he decide to purchase that?

Please, feed my hunger of understanding!

Feel free to share your own stories, experiences, and quests - I'm very interested in hearing!

A Relationship With Money?

Money Matters

We wish money didn't matter. No stress of paying bills, no worry of planning for the future, and no more money problems.

But that's not reality!

Money does matter! You need money, even to pay for the most basic of needs.

Money can make your life easy, or make your life hard.

If you treat money with respect and love, then it may just work for you.  Giving you great benefits of wealth, travel, and financial freedom!

If you treat money like crap, well...it will reciprocate.  Providing you stress, overwhelming debt, and no escape from the rat race!

The difference...your personal relationship with money...your darling money.

A Relationship With Money?

Yes, this is a relationship.

Though thick and thin, forever...one that you can never divorce.

If it's good, you'll reap the results.  Strong together, you'll be able to tackle any of life's obstacles.

But, if it's bad, you're stuck with the outcome. No amount of yelling, swearing, or storming out of the room will sway the fact that you've mistreated money. You will pay the price.

So don't let the relationship sour!  Work hard to keep the connection. Spend some quality time together.

And if your relationship is already on the rocks, start repairing the damage today. Stop sleeping in the doghouse!

In a healthy relationship, you'll build a foundation of trust, understanding, mutual respect, communication, and passion.

No relationship is easy! And your relationship with money is no different.

This will take a lot of work. There will be great days and a few difficult ones. There may be some sacrifices along the way for the good of the team. You may even need to visit an advisor.

Just know that the results will be magnificent! There will be more good days than bad! Compounding happiness and receiving enormous life dividends!

So How's Your Relationship?

Are you in a loving, supporting relationship with your money? Or a tumultuous, negative one?

How do you know?

Follow Unexploited Finances and explore.

If You're Not Living, Then You're Dying!

Take advantage of this one life you have.

Spend your time around the people you like.  Spend your time doing the things you like.

Make sure you're happy!

And if you're not, then make the necessary changes.

Do you feel bored, frustrated, or unhappy?  Do something about it!

Find new activities - hiking, sports, hobbies, social events.

Reach out to friends and see if they want to get together.

Plan some weekday evening activities or dates.

Make the changes in your life.  Only you can do this!

Take up salsa dancing.  Start a side hobby (or business).

Find a trip to the coast.  Call some friends and build a raised garden bed.

Seek out ways to stay happy, healthy, and inspired!

When you hear of a new activity, write it down.  Pull out your list the next time you're itching for a change.

Time stops for no one.

Live the life you want.

Live the life you won't regret.

If you're not living, then you're dying!

Yours in exploiting life!
Quinn