by Joelle Steele

I think it’s important to take a few minutes now and again to see if there are ways that we can improve our thinking and the way we live our lives. I have learned a lot of things this way, and many of those things have formed a very strong basis for my values and beliefs, as well as my work and my lifestyle.

In particular, I have learned a lot about money and things. I grew up in a family-owned business where we had money for a couple years, none for a year, a little more the next, then not as much, then two or three years with money. Yikes! We were never dirt poor or filthy rich. But I learned early on in life to buy only what I need and only what I love and use. I have learned to shop around and wait for sales before I buy. I only buy what is of value and that will last for a long time. I have learned to avoid buying from point-of-purchase displays. I have learned to buy in bulk and on sale those things that I use over and over again, such as toilet paper, soaps, and certain foods. I have learned to buy used whenever possible, because “new” does not always mean “good.” So many new things being made today are expensive yet of the worst quality in materials and workmanship.

And, because I’m the garbageman’s daughter, I have learned to never waste anything. I try whenever possible to avoid buying things that aren’t re-usable or recyclable. For example, I normally buy cat litter in recyclable cardboard boxes, but for awhile I bought it in plastic buckets because I needed and still regularly use those buckets. And if I do end up buying something that I can’t use or used for awhile and no longer use, I either sell it or donate it immediately. I refuse to become a hoarder. As for food, it is truly amazing how much money people waste on food by not thinking about what it is they plan to cook and how many people what they cook will serve. If you aren’t going to eat leftovers, don’t make so much to begin with.

I also learned to take good care of what I own. I maintain everything very well. That includes my computer, my electronic gadgets, my gardening tools, my art supplies, my clothes, and my furniture (exclusive of upholstered stuff which I buy dirt cheap, often used, and replace regularly). I have mechanical pencils that are more than 40 years old and paintbrushes that are even older than that. I’ve met people who throw away a perfectly good knife or scissors when sharpening is all that’s needed. And it certainly doesn’t take a genius to sharpen a knife. I have three different garden clippers that I have had since 1972 and they work perfectly. I just sharpen and oil them once a year, along with my shovels and other garden tools. Since I was 16 years old, I have used my grandmother’s scissors for everything and they are now more than 120 years old. I only need to sharpen them about every five years or so.

My late client, Mark – who had a PhD in economics and owned several apartment buildings in southern California – once told me that when people don’t take care of what they own it’s a reflection of how little respect and value they place on whatever it is they did to earn the money they used to buy their things. And I have learned that he is absolutely correct. When you buy anything you should take care of it, because you went out and worked to make the money you used to buy it, and those hours you worked should not be undervalued and wasted.

 In this same thread, I also learned that there are some things that you should not spend money on regularly, and eating out is at the top of that list. It is the single biggest waste of money and for many people it does nothing but contribute to their credit card debt. And speaking of credit cards, I learned to avoid using them for anything other than an emergency. Credit cards are the single biggest waste of money in the entire world. That interest just grows and grows as you spend and spend. I’ve known people who owed more than $100,000 in credit card debt, all from spending beyond their means and buying things they wanted but didn’t need. I think credit should be used for emergencies only, or the cards should be paid in full monthly. Basically, if you can’t afford to pay for it in full, you can probably live without it. Save a few dollars every month until you can afford to buy it with money, not plastic.