We all enjoy new things. At some point though, we need to realize the new shiny object is just adding to our cluttered home. My mother loved her things. She loved buying new clothes and books.

Unfortunately, she didn’t prioritize the thing she loved the most, which was to travel. It was heartbreaking watching her come to the realization she would never fulfill those dreams. There is a real cost to shopping. What are you giving up? What is the benefit? Do you have a big dream, such as a trip to Hawaii? How could you better use your money? Do you want to save for retirement, a new car, a new home, or a trip to Peru? A few dollars here and ten more over there can add up to lost dreams over twenty years.

Super Hero

Often, we go about our daily work and responsibilities without considering exactly what the big picture looks like. How do you spend your time? Do you consider the cost in terms of time and energy? How many hours are spent on your feet? How many hours are dedicated to the wants, needs, and benefits of others? Unless you have super-human abilities, something is going to give. Use the My Weekly Responsibilities Worksheet to calculate the number of hours worked each week for each category. You can also write out the headings and hours on a sheet of paper.