If you’re like me and you place a lot of self-value on achievement and how much you’re making, pay attention. If you’re not, then share your magic wisdom with me, please.

Don’t get me wrong, I value the immaterial and I value non-monetary achievement…in others. I have trouble because of my personality + my backstory to assess myself in the same way. So here are a few tools.

1. Think about the money you save. Saving is more important than making money. Making money means you go to work and spend that time doing so. If you save money, then you save the time as well. You can spend it doing something else or doing a money-saving task with a loved one, therefore, bonding and building a relationship. I know, it seems obvious, but it kind of blew my mind when I heard it.

2. Keep a money journal. Seriously, keep a journal of the money you would’ve spent had you outsourced that thing. For example, the money I ‘save’ by tutoring my girl instead of outsourcing that help. The money I ‘save’ by repairing clothing and items instead of buying new ones or outsourcing the repairs. Also, don’t forget to include the income tax: as in, if you would spend $25 to do something you’d have to actually make more than that to factor in income tax.

3. Enlist your partner. I don’t appreciate those things in myself. But I asked Andrew to help me pay attention and point out those things. It brings awareness to me, but also (hopefully) makes me realize that those things are appreciated by my partner. External validation from a loved one is no small matter.

Dresses – Spell Designs and Abercrombie & Fitch
Necklace – bought in Poland