Regarding my Impending Monkhood
So, as I’m becoming more and more an actual adult, I’m starting to think a lot about money. Specifically, about how ridiculously irresponsible I am with it. I have a sizeable disposable income right now, which is awesome. I get to buy fancy organic veggies at whole foods, shiny new gadgets, expensive beer, all kinds of things that make me happy. But that’s really all bullshit, since all they really do is fill a need that I created in myself purely by knowledge of the possibility it could exist. I see a cool gadget online and I create a need for that gadget that did not exist before.
The interesting thing is that I only do this with things that I can afford. I don’t create a need in my brain for a new BMW, at least not one that lasts more than the amount of time it takes to slap some sense into myself. Unfortunately, I can afford these things, and my very knowledge of that is what makes it so easy for me to buy them.
Now, I’ve never worried about this much before, as I pay all my bills, maintain 3 months’ expense in a savings account, and even put 10% of my income into a 401k. But lately, I’ve been thinking that’s not really enough. If I have this extra money, instead of spending it I could save even more. I could then do things with that money that will turn it into more money, and use that more money to do all kinds of awesome things like start a business or buy some really great land.
These ideas sound awesome, but first I’ve got to get myself to stop spending, and I’ve come accross a solution. Much like the person who sets their watch ahead and pretends it’s right, I’m going to start hiding my income from myself and pretending I’m poor. I’m giving myself about $100 a week to buy groceries, alcohol, all those epenses. To do this, I’ll be setting up a brand new checking account for these things, seperate from the one that pays my bills, and putting my check books and atm card for that account in a safe.
I guess the big question is whether or not I can live practically on $100/week? I’ll need to start shopping at thrift stores and stop going to whole foods (except maybe to dumpster dive). I may end up putting business expenses, like gas to visit clients, on a seperate account so my work doesn’t suffer, though. I’ll probably also seperate anything structural for my house, but I’m undecided about furniture.
I’ll keep my progress posted here, detailing my new life as a monk.
