Hi beautiful soul! I hope you’ve been taking good care of you.

 

Speaking of self-care, this is such an important part of our self-love practice.

 

But there’s a fine line (and a big difference) between taking care of ourselves and over-indulging.

 

I’ve found that giving ourselves the gift of feeling financially secure, and being free of money-related stress, is one of the biggest acts of self-love we could ever give ourselves.

 

Truly, it’s right on up there with being free from toxic relationships, having healthy boundaries, and prioritizing our happiness.

 

Actually, it may even fall under the umbrella of “prioritizing our happiness” because, well…how can we truly feel happy, on a regular basis, with ongoing financial insecurity and stress?

 

But I get it, it can be difficult to even imagine building a financial nest egg when there are so many things we have to pay for, right?

 

Of course there’s the basics like: food, housing, car, children, etc…

 

But what about the daily $5 Starbucks latte, and the $10 – $16 glasses of wine with dinner, the $16 movie tickets + popcorn & candy, shopping at Whole Foods, eating out instead of preparing meals at home, the $185/month workouts, etc.

 

And when that holiday or extra bonus $$ comes in, where does that go? Perhaps it goes to a well-deserved vacation, buying the fancy this and fancy that.

 

Please don’t get me wrong; I’m all for enjoying life and treating ourselves from time to time.

 

However, I’ve come to realize that true self-love goes beyond these momentary indulgences. It involves making choices that are truly in our best interests, and one of the most fundamental aspects of that is having a healthy savings account.

 

Here’s why I believe that spending money on vacations and non-essentials, when we don’t have a healthy savings, isn’t practicing self-love:

 

1) Financial Security: Having savings provides us with a sense of financial security and peace of mind. It means we have a safety net in case unexpected expenses or emergencies arise. Without it, we may find ourselves stressed and anxious about the future.

 

2) Long-Term Goals: True self-love includes nurturing our long-term goals and aspirations. Whether it’s buying a house, starting a family, pursuing further education, or retiring comfortably, these goals often require a significant financial commitment. Neglecting savings can hinder our ability to achieve these dreams.

 

3) Reducing Stress: Financial stress can take a significant toll on our mental and emotional well-being as well as our romantic relationships. Overspending on vacations and non-essentials can lead to financial strain, which ultimately counteracts any short-term happiness these purchases might bring.

 

4) Building a Secure Future: Self-love is also about taking care of our future selves. By saving responsibly now, we ensure that our future selves will be able to enjoy a comfortable and fulfilling life. It’s a way of showing love and respect for the person we will become.

 

5) Responsible Choices: Making responsible financial choices is an act of self-love. It shows that we care enough about ourselves to make decisions that benefit us in the long run, rather than succumbing to short-term impulses.

 

I want to emphasize that this isn’t about denying ourselves all enjoyment or never taking a vacation.

 

It’s about finding a balance between enjoying the present and securing our future. Setting aside a portion of our income for savings can coexist with treating ourselves occasionally.

 

Remember, self-love is about prioritizing your happiness and well-being. Being under financial stress can have a seriously negative effect on our well-being.

 

And there’s nothing like having that warm and safe feeling that comes with knowing that you won’t ever have to worry about money.

 

You deserve that, and I want that for you.

 

With so much love,

Jenna