To make the best use of every dollar that comes into and leaves your household, you have to know what your values and priorities are. And for me, nothing has clarified that more than pinning stuff on Pinterest!
Pinterest and money clarity
For those not on social media, Pinterest is a virtual inspiration board…you see something you like, you “pin” it to your boards, organized by different topics. I’ve got lots of boards…for outfit ideas, for recipes, for color inspiration, cute animal pictures, for home décor ideas, for landscaping ideas…and one board for things I just think are visually awesome.
I find pinning to be relaxing, because it’s visually stimulating. Only recently did I realize how it was defining my money values.
You see, I am a little obsessed with the concept of a “capsule wardrobe,” (where everything goes with everything else), and was clicking and pinning and somehow found myself at the website where I could actually buy the blouse I admired. When I got there, I realized the blouse cost $495.
Here’s the clarity…I can afford a $500 blouse; I choose NOT to. Pay ten times that for a travel experience? Absolutely. Take a loved one to the best restaurant in Seattle for a memorable event? No problem. A blouse that (knowing me) will have coffee stains on it 45 minutes into wearing it (and then have to pay each time to get it dry cleaned?). Just…no.
If I were standing in the store, would I have that same clarity? Or would I get swept away in thinking I somehow “needed” that blouse to complete an ensemble? I realized that when I am ready to implement my capsule wardrobe, I have no problem hiring a clothing expert/stylist to help me NOT buy a $500 blouse!
Pinterest and aspiration
Pinterest also helps me get clear on things I want to add to my life. As a long-time condo dweller, I had no idea that I yearned for more green space around me…until I realized that I was obsessively adding pictures to my Outside board (I’m still not quite on board with the concept of needing to garden).
And Pinterest helps me narrow down my choices so that I can define the specific elements that I really care about in an object or a topic, and then separate those from a universe of options. With all of the choices around places to see, places to live, kinds of pets to adopt, clothes to wear, cookies to make…what’s the rush in making a decision until I can understand the common elements of the things I pin most? That I tend to pin smaller dogs even though I have always said I love big dogs? Or saying that I love old houses, but pinning mid century modern? Pinterest has made me more careful in what I assume I know about myself—which also tends to save money.
Try Pinterest
Pinterest is awesome to get an entire family on the same page around a topic (think vacations, wedding or party planning). Not only are you getting a visual understanding of another person’s idea, you’re also able to easily see the potential price range as you discuss choices.
Try it for yourself! And feel free to connect with me on Pinterest too!
No spam. No games. Just timely, insanely useful content to help you grow your money.