How Do You Spend Money? (And What Does That Say About You?)

"Our money gives us insight into who we are and what is important to us, where we struggle, and what we need to work on." Lori Radun

Sometimes we go along in the world, and we think we are living authentic lives. Then we wake up one day and realize that we are a little off target. We recognize that maybe we are working toward the wrong goals entirely.

And if we have veered off course, it's always easier to get back on course if we can catch overselves while the necessary corrections are still minor.

There are tools that we can look at from time to time to determine whether the way we are really living is in alignment with the way we feel we ought to be living.

An article from life coach Lori Radun appeared in my email inbox this morning and it pointed out an important one of these tools, which we can use to discover our true intentions, even in the hubbub of everyday life.

It is this: How do you spend money?

If your family is anything like mine, money gets spent pretty easily. Over the course of a day or a week, money goes to various things just to keep our lifestyle what it is. As hard as we try to watch our budget, there are things that we simply need to pay for without thinking too much about them: the mortgage, the car, the pizza that you grab in between soccer practices.

Turning a close eye on the actual flow of money through your life can offer a significant clue as to what is truly most important to you. The way you control and direct the flow of money in your life can give you real insights into the things your life is all about right now.

Today, take a look. Try to have an open mind and consider what your checkbook register and credit card statements say about you.

What are your biggest expenses each month? How much are you spending and how much are you saving? What does that say about you and your family and the things that you value most?

For some people, the most important thing is safety and security, and so they keep expenses low and they save a lot (maybe at the expense of fun and adventure.)

For some, the most important thing is freedom, so they keep their expenses low so that they are always ready to invest in something new or to launch on a new adventure, whether it's a new business or a trip overseas.

For some, the most important thing is family, and much of their money goes to make sure that their loved ones are well taken care of and that they have every available opportunity.

For some people, it might show that impressing other people wins out (at the expense, perhaps, of peace of mind.)

Compare the way you are actually spending your money to the way that you wish you were spending it. How are those two notions different? Does this give you any insight into the ways you wish you were living your life versus the way you are actually living it?

Now make a list of your ideal values. What can you change in your spending habits to make sure your actual daily life reflects these same goals? You can ask yourself this question before you make any purchase at all. Does this purchase align with your ultimate goals for your life and your family?

While you're at it, ask yourself: What is the vision of your ideal life? What does your ideal self spend money on? Now use these answers to make sure you are on course, with your spending and your other daily life choices.