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How To Overcome Buyer’s Remorse

October 1, 2012

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I will never forget the day I left my house. My home, so perfect in every way. The beautiful kitchen we designed ourselves. The large yard where we’d sit on a warm summer’s eve. The recroom I turned into a studio. My eyes are watering… how I miss my home.

Rewind three years earlier to the day my husband and I first moved in. I put the key in the lock, turned and knob, and … oh my! I was silent for a long moment.

“What have we done!?!?” I finally exclaimed.

It was ugly. The walls were stained with nicotine. The carpets resembled an outdoor rug. And the smell… I hated it and everything about it. How could we have put an offer on this house??

We painted the walls. Changed the carpets. Ripped out the kitchen. Rearranged the furniture. Got to know the neighborhood. Bit by bit… I fell in love with that house.

Almost a month ago, I said goodbye to my home, and moved thousands of miles away.

I walked up the stairs to our new apartment full of excitement and anticipation. I put the key in the lock, turned the knob, and…. I hated it! This is Southern California… why can’t I see any mountains from my window? Why is there a gargling sound coming out of the bathroom? And where am I going to put my piano?!?

There is was again. Buyer’s remorse.

This time, I knew what was happening, and I wasn’t going to let it last.

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By on October 1, 2012 in happiness, money

Three Signs to Help You Identify Your Financial Sinkholes

September 24, 2012

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My family is moving halfway across the continent. So instead of paying ridiculous shipping fees, my husband and I decided to de-clutter our house — we’re getting rid of everything that we don’t use on a regular basis.

We put together huge boxes of books we don’t re-read, toys our son doesn’t play with, and clothes we don’t wear. Then, a crazy idea occurred to me: “Why don’t I estimate how much money we spent on all this stuff?”

I did a quick estimate: about 200 books, each at approximately $15, gives $3000.Three thousand dollars! I was stunned. That’s just for books!

Now, I consider myself very good with finances. I am very careful with large purchases, and I stopped living paycheck-to-paycheck years ago. But here were piles upon pile of small things that nobody uses, and it all adds up fast.

Then I noticed one other thing. My piles of junk had little variety. Books. Dresses. Toys.

That’s when I knew I was onto something. I had discovered my financial sinkholes.

Read the rest of my guest blog article.

By on September 24, 2012 in money

The Smart Way To Spend Money

September 13, 2012

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“Money doesn’t buy happiness.” Who among us hasn’t heard this phrase?

Well, most of us disagree, at least a little. This is because money can seem to make us happy.

But it can also drain our life of all meaning, as we work long hours at a job we don’t like only to come home too tired to enjoy our few remaining waking hours.

Several years ago, my husband and I found a way to approach money that had a positive effect on our happiness. Now, three years later, we have become quite good at it – so I would like to share with you what has worked for us.

Read the rest of my guest blog article at Think Simple Now.

By on September 13, 2012 in happiness, money