Although, I like to call it being economic.
I don’t like to spend money, and for the most part, I find the majority
of money spent by the “typical” American to be almost compulsive. Yet, I’ve
never had a problem with it as the spending helps our economy, which we all know, needs as
much help as it can get in these times.
I'm
able to spend on things of need, but on things of want, it is some sort
of restrictive guilt and/or mindset that doesn't allow me to do so.
Expensive
clothes, gadgets, heck, even a smartphone, I don't find to be a very
wise or efficient purchase. Unless of course, found at a discounted rate.
But
hey, that's just me. Once again, we all have different financial
philosophies. Mine, is on the far end of the spectrum that is tightly
wound.
When putting together the list for the 2011 Bucket List, I wanted to have a list that was eccentric to my personality, one that kept me grounded on things I have forgotten, and one that did not require being stretched too far (that's for the 2012 list). I simply wanted a list that continued to force me to expand and grow beyond myself, while re-experiencing on things I’ve forgotten, all in a year which has limits due to wedding plans, apartment hunting, moving, and all the wonderful things that goes into starting a new life with someone else.
When putting together the list for the 2011 Bucket List, I wanted to have a list that was eccentric to my personality, one that kept me grounded on things I have forgotten, and one that did not require being stretched too far (that's for the 2012 list). I simply wanted a list that continued to force me to expand and grow beyond myself, while re-experiencing on things I’ve forgotten, all in a year which has limits due to wedding plans, apartment hunting, moving, and all the wonderful things that goes into starting a new life with someone else.
One
of the simpler, yet, very difficult tasks on my list was to purchase something
without financial worry. Some of you might be saying, “Oh pshh, that is simple.
Pass me my credit card!”. I on the other hand, cringe every time I looked at
that task.
What
do I buy?
How
can I make it at efficient as possible?
Can
I purchase something that I need?
All
of these were questions that came to mind while looking at how to accomplish
this for 2011. Then I realized, “Hey, these questions are due to being
apprehensive, which is not the goal in this task”.
So
I decided to let it all go, and purchase something I’ve always wanted – a big screen TV.
The
thought of watching the Yankees, Knicks, Jets, UFC, Pro Wrestling, and the
occasional HGTV with my tag team partner in high-definition always intrigued
me, and lets be honest, excites me.
And
today, I bit the bullet and purchased a 40” Toshiba HDTV Flat Screen.
Was
I apprehensive?
Sure
was! I always hate buying something new, especially when the old one is still perfectly
fine. However, I’ll admit, I’m sure it wouldn’t have been long before I gave in
watching a 19” tube television.
Or
maybe, not long before I “accidently” broke it.
But
yes, purchasing such an item was one I hated to do, but at the end of the night,
watching Rockies/Cardinals in HDTV, was well worth it.
It
wasn’t as much or of course, as important of an investment as my car or my
apartment, but for probably the first time in my life I splurged.
I
did it. I was financially irresponsible.
I’m
proud of myself, and am glad I did it.
Now,
I will eat packed lunches for the next 6 weeks in order to refill the damage
done to my bank account – seriously.