Weekly Recap: MoneyMasterClass - Lesson Nine
In a quest for self-improvement, the writer has embarked on a transformative journey aimed at cultivating gratitude and reducing clutter. Losing track of notebooks and other supplies was a clear sign that it was time for a change.
The writer's financial status was assessed, and a net worth statement was made. This was followed by taking inventory of all possessions, listing their number and approximate value. The goal was to gain a better understanding of what was truly necessary and what could be let go.
Gail, a trusted source of inspiration, shared several insightful resources. An article about gratitude titled "Skeptic's Guide to Gratitude Article" and a video about minimizing possessions called "Death and Minimalism Video" were among the recommendations. These resources provided practical tips for maintaining a gratitude journal, such as anchoring one gratitude for every micro-win and journaling as if your future self is already living the life you desire.
The writer also discovered the importance of distinguishing between decluttering and simply organizing. The recommended approach involved recognizing one's personal "clutter threshold" and following a simple 5-step decluttering process. This process helps improve mental health by lowering cognitive load and creating a calming, controlled environment.
Gail's wisdom extended to practical tips like filling a box with items to donate repeatedly and placing items with original tags or packaging in a "gift closet" or giving them away. The center of the Me & My Money notebook was labelled My Shopping List, where the writer listed all the things they wanted and needed to purchase.
The writer also listed the tasks that have been tackled so far this year, including organizing the living room, decluttering the garage, deep cleaning the kitchen, purging the pantry, and sorting through old clothes. The writer also implemented strategies like putting a moratorium on shopping for something until they had used up 40% of what they had of that item, and creating a credit card condom to practice safe shopping.
However, the journey was not without its challenges. The tasks for the current week felt like repeats of previous weeks, and the writer struggled to maintain a daily commitment to a gratitude journal. Nonetheless, the writer remains committed to this path of self-improvement, finding inspiration in Gail's words, "It is the discomfort, the failure, the uphill battles that teach us new skills and new perspectives."
The writer also created a visible representation of their debt, such as a paper chain of links or a tree with leaves with each link/leaf equaling $100 owing. On the flip side of Notebook #1, a Savings Journal was created to record all food-related savings. The flip side of the Me & My Money notebook was the Gratitude Journal, where the writer committed time at least once per week to write down things they were grateful for. Lastly, a Found Money jar was created, where any money from selling unwanted items was put, and not spent.
This journey towards a more mindful, clutter-free life is an ongoing process, but the writer is determined to continue embracing the lessons learned and the practices adopted. The goal is to cultivate a life of abundance, gratitude, and simplicity.
In the midst of this transformation, the writer started delving into the realm of personal finance and education-and-self-development. They discovered strategies like implementing a credit card condom for safe shopping and creating a visible representation of their debt, such as a paper chain, to encourage mindful spending.
Embarking on this journey, the writer also realized the importance of minimalism in their lifestyle. Guided by a video called "Death and Minimalism" and an article titled "Skeptic's Guide to Gratitude," they learned to maintain a gratitude journal and declutter their possessions, aiming to live a life of simplicity and abundance.
