Things I’ve Grown to Love Spending my Money On

We all know that money can’t buy happiness. But did you know that being conscious about how and where you spend your money can do a lot to boost your happiness. From a young age I’ve always been pretty good with money and not being to frivolous with it. I’ve always tried to live by the notion to not “live beyond your means” and I’m proud that I’ve never really allowed myself to be in debt. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized however there are things that are important to spend your money on and can actually increase your overall happiness over the long-term. Here’s what I’ve found them to be: 

I don’t need to tell you that regular exercise not only keeps your body in good shape, but it does wonders for your mental health, too. However, in order to make exercise part of your life, it’s important that you also enjoy it. So, if the idea of hitting the gym twice a week fills you with dread, take the time to discover the sports you actually like doing. Years ago, I couldn’t find the motivation to work out but knew I desperately wanted to. I knew the only way I could get myself to do so was if I had someone to hold me accountable and got myself a personal trainer. Was it pricey? Yes. But in the end was it worth it? 1000%. After I had the discipline, I wanted the convenience of working out at home on my time – so I invested in a home gym. Fast forward to today – couldn’t be happier. It’s all about finding what works for you and keeps you accountable.

Living in the now is a great way to approach life—but not at the cost of your future happiness. Investing money in your future will give you a sense of security and allow you to explore more opportunities further down the road. And, it can also help you stop living from paycheck to paycheck. This leads me to my next point…

It may seem like a long way off now, but the earlier you start saving for retirement, the better. While it may be hard to set aside a chunk of your income for your older years, you can’t put a price on feeling financially secure. Thanks to the magic of compound interest, starting some solid saving habits now means you won’t have to save as much as you age. I started investing in mutual funds for my retirement and future at about 20 years old and it’s paid of big time. Trust me—you’ll thank yourself for it later! Oh and, it’s never too late.

Spending money on the important people in your life is the gift that keeps on giving. It literally brings me SO much joy. Sure, you could invest your extra cash in some new clothes or gadgets—but seeing the look on a loved one’s face when you present them with something they’ve always wanted is simply priceless. Generosity doesn’t just benefit others, it gives you an endorphin kick, making you happier in a deeper sense. 

Do Home Improvements

No one wants to buy a new roof or new windows until they absolutely have to. However, these investments can increase the value of your home. In some cases, the improvements can even also lower your electricity bills. Spending money on your home can increase the resale value and become more of an investment instead of an expense when all’s said and done.

Buy Time

Spending money on services that buy more free time, such as a house cleaner or repairman is something I’ve seriously grown to appreciate as I’ve gotten older. If we spend our money to open up more ‘free’ hours in the day, we can spend our time enjoying the things in life that make us happy. That time you’re not cleaning or making repairs around the house can give you free time to spend with loved ones, go for a walk or hey even if it frees up some time for you to get some of your much needed work done that means less stress for you in the long run.

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