Like Burroughs Said...
I have had a desire to post about some peculiar side effects I have had as a result of a budget I am currently on. My reasons for not posting anything about it up until now have been part time issues* and part "data collection" issues (I have not been on my budget for very long). Since the muse gave me a bit of a nudge earlier today (and I have a bit of time) I thought I would at least write down a few thoughts about my new "experiment."
Before I list my observations I would like to describe my "experiment." My muse did such a wonderful job of describing it (not to mention a wonderful job of transforming a mundane "budget" into an exciting occult "experiment") that I thought I would just quote my muse verbatim:
"If you are a shopper, don't buy anything (except food and medicine and the like) for a period of one month or until you notice a strong impulse to shop. See how long you can go without buying anything. Last year's clothes will still be usable this year. If you really really really think that this will cause you trouble at work ('Oh, look she or he is wearing last year's styles!') then buy as little as is possible (and I mean it - don't use style as an excuse; it must be truly needed to not cause stares or gossip at work)."
I never considered myself to be a "shopper," but after observing the matter more closely it did appear that I was indeed a "shopper." In the past when I needed to relax or have some fun, I would go purchase something for myself. If I was bored, I would go to a store and browse. Basically, I had developed a "retail therapy" habit. This was made more clear to me when I went on my budget.
I have noticed some interesting thoughts pop into my head during the time I have spent on this budget. Some of them follow a sort of logic that states that not having any "fun money" will eventually drive me insane. After this "mental tape" plays, I feel disgusted with myself for assimilating the idea that to have "fun" one must spend money. I also feel disgusted because my efforts to prevent myself from becoming yet another slave to the "corpratocracy" have been unsuccessful.
To further my disgust I attempted a small experiment. I used an extra forty dollars that I forgot I had to purchase something "fun." When I walked into my store of choice I felt conflicted. In a way I felt relieved to be in there searching for my next purchase, yet I also felt that I should be using my extra forty dollars* for something practical like food or gas. I found the item that I was looking for and spent a few extra minutes browsing. Once I had payed for my item and walked out of the store I noticed a sense of well-being. All was well now that I had more shit.
I could find a better paying job and then I would have no need for a budget, but why should I do that? So I can buy more shit? So I can keep buying until I spread my paycheck so thin that I have to find another job that pays more? No, dear reader. I will leave this sort of logic to the Hungry Ghosts of this realm.
(NOTE: I have refrained from explaining why I am on my budget, my favorite items to purchase, and how often I shop for a reason. My appologies for the "choppy" nature of this post as a result of my editing.)
* Which I would say effect the vast majority of my postings in Live Journal.
* I ended up spending about fifteen dollars, so I have some money for a purchasing frill next month.
Before I list my observations I would like to describe my "experiment." My muse did such a wonderful job of describing it (not to mention a wonderful job of transforming a mundane "budget" into an exciting occult "experiment") that I thought I would just quote my muse verbatim:
"If you are a shopper, don't buy anything (except food and medicine and the like) for a period of one month or until you notice a strong impulse to shop. See how long you can go without buying anything. Last year's clothes will still be usable this year. If you really really really think that this will cause you trouble at work ('Oh, look she or he is wearing last year's styles!') then buy as little as is possible (and I mean it - don't use style as an excuse; it must be truly needed to not cause stares or gossip at work)."
I never considered myself to be a "shopper," but after observing the matter more closely it did appear that I was indeed a "shopper." In the past when I needed to relax or have some fun, I would go purchase something for myself. If I was bored, I would go to a store and browse. Basically, I had developed a "retail therapy" habit. This was made more clear to me when I went on my budget.
I have noticed some interesting thoughts pop into my head during the time I have spent on this budget. Some of them follow a sort of logic that states that not having any "fun money" will eventually drive me insane. After this "mental tape" plays, I feel disgusted with myself for assimilating the idea that to have "fun" one must spend money. I also feel disgusted because my efforts to prevent myself from becoming yet another slave to the "corpratocracy" have been unsuccessful.
To further my disgust I attempted a small experiment. I used an extra forty dollars that I forgot I had to purchase something "fun." When I walked into my store of choice I felt conflicted. In a way I felt relieved to be in there searching for my next purchase, yet I also felt that I should be using my extra forty dollars* for something practical like food or gas. I found the item that I was looking for and spent a few extra minutes browsing. Once I had payed for my item and walked out of the store I noticed a sense of well-being. All was well now that I had more shit.
I could find a better paying job and then I would have no need for a budget, but why should I do that? So I can buy more shit? So I can keep buying until I spread my paycheck so thin that I have to find another job that pays more? No, dear reader. I will leave this sort of logic to the Hungry Ghosts of this realm.
(NOTE: I have refrained from explaining why I am on my budget, my favorite items to purchase, and how often I shop for a reason. My appologies for the "choppy" nature of this post as a result of my editing.)
* Which I would say effect the vast majority of my postings in Live Journal.
* I ended up spending about fifteen dollars, so I have some money for a purchasing frill next month.