Money Musings 💭 Feeling extra grateful this year
I want to talk about gratitude. 🙏
Gratitude is a powerful practice to cultivate abundance and really enjoy all that you have.
As a very goal oriented person, it can be really easy for me to focus on what I’m out to accomplish. I used to believe that I’d finally be able to relax and enjoy once I achieved X, Y, & Z.
I’m really lucky that I’ve been able to achieve some of my big goals. And what I have found is that while I did feel a sense of accomplishment (for a bit), nothing really changed after I hit the goal. It was life as usual, on to the next thing.
At first I thought, "oh, that goal must not have been big enough. I’ll feel different after I hit a bigger milestone." ⛰️
But even after achieving bigger goals, nothing ever changed. And now I know it never will.
I realized that for me there is no arriving. It's about enjoying the journey - enjoying the messy process.
While this was a rude awakening at first, it’s actually been extremely liberating.
It’s up to me to enjoy and be grateful now. As Jennifer Anniston says in The Switch, "Life is in session!" 🤣 (an obscure movie reference).
Now don’t get me wrong, I still have big goals. I just have different expectations. I’m focused on the growth and learning goals bring, rather than expect a grand life changing outcome from achieving them.
Enjoying the now is definitely a process for me. I wrote about it here.
One strategy that works well for me is to practice gratitude. Each night we go around the table and talk about what are grateful for that day. I also write down what I’m feeling most grateful for at the end of each week.
Do you have a gratitude practice? If so, I’d love to hear about it!
MONEY MOVE OF THE WEEK
MAXIMIZE YOUR RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS.
ICYMI, we did a comprehensive retirement check in here (steps #1, #2, #3 and #4).
The deadline to contribute to your company sponsored plans, like 401(k)s and 403(b)s is December 31st. 💸
If you have more you can contribute, is there a way you can up your contributions as we approach year-end?
If not, and you’d like to contribute more, plan ahead for next year.
Retirement accounts are an amazing way to invest for retirement because they are tax-advantaged AND may save you money on your current tax bill. Get the details on that here.
P.S. For IRA contributions, the deadline isn’t until April 15th, 2023 BUT if you’d like to max out your contributions, the earlier you start, the easier it is!
YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
YOUR HOLIDAY TIPPING GUIDE.
During the holidays I always have multiple exchanges with friends about holiday tipping and gifts. What’s generous? What’s typical? How much is this going to cost? 💰
It can be difficult to know how much to give. This holiday tipping guide from Emily Post is filled with really helpful guidelines. You know I love how she talks about making it all work within our budgets.
I also loved this one that's specific to NYC. Reading through it reminded me of people I might have forgotten to include in my holiday budget.
I know tipping has changed a lot over the past couple of years. See how others are tipping on everything else in our tipping etiquette survey.