I was recently listening to one of my favorite podcasts, I Will Teach You To Be Rich, and in one of the episodes the people he was interviewing (not first responders) reportedly spent over $1k per month just through Amazon!
Now, I can't think of a time โ when we EVER spent that much money in a month through Amazon ๐ฆ, BUT it got me thinking about how we, as first responder ๐๐๐ families, could find ourselves in this territory if we're not careful.
Because it's not just about how much you spend on Amazon.
It's how much you spend in all other areas of your life and whether or not those purchasing decisions were made in an effort to decompress from the job ๐ฎ๐ผ (if you're the first responder) or to decompress from the pressure of keeping the household ๐๏ธ in tact (if you're the first responder spouse).
Quick question...
Have you ever justified a purchase because you worked "x" amount of overtime so you "deserve it" or have "earned it"?
Or, if you're the spouse, have you ever treated yourself because "these kids are driving me nuts" or because you're feeling lonely trying to navigate what it means to love someone who seems to work around the clock?
If you're a first responder family, it's extremely hard NOT to have these thought processes at least once in a while.
For many this thought process can happen weekly or even daily ๐๏ธ.
So what can you do about it? Because the stressors of the job aren't going away anytime soon.
First, you need to get clear on what your priorities are. What do you want your life to look like? How do you want your day/week/month to reflect what you find important?
This way, when you're faced with a spending decisions (especially high-ticket spending like new vehicles ๐) you're able to determine if that purchase is going to take away from the things you truly value most.
For example, if health & wellness ๐ช๐ผ are one of the things that's on your list of priorities, that would probably mean that spending money on gym memberships, workout equipment, athleisure, supplements ๐ and healthy food ๐ฅ are on the list of things you feel good spending money on.
Now what happens if you make a bigger financial choice (like buying a home ๐ก) how does this spending choice impact what you currently enjoy spending on your health and wellness?
This is where the decision making comes into play.
Can you have both and still maintain a lifestyle you enjoy?
Second, you need to come up with a list of other ways you can decompress from the job, that don't necessarily require you to spend money each time.
Decompression Ideas
- Workout
- Take a Walk
- Read a Book
- Disconnect from Social Media
- Take a Bath
- Take a Hot/Cold Shower
- Practice Various Breathing Exercises
- Journal
- Spend Time as a Family
- Play a Board/Card Game
- Take a Drive
- Listen to Music
What other decompression ideas can you add to this list?
Third, you need to be aware of when you're being triggered by stress. Pay attention to how your mind and body feels/reacts after a stressful shift.
What thoughts are you having? (This is where journaling comes in handy.)
What is your body feeling? (This is where physical activity can be good for bodily regulation).
Is there something in particular your mind/body is urging you to do?
Fourth, when you are facing the urge to spend money as a way to decompress, take the 48 hour challenge. Pause your spending for 48 hours and see if that purchase is still a good idea. The 48 hour pause gives your brain time to switch from operating in the right side of the brain where we lean into our emotional side, to making the decision using the left side of the brain which is responsible for more rational thought processes.
From there you have the ability to make a more educated spending decision based on your rational and emotional thoughts around the choice.
As always, if you'd like more help navigating to world of managing money stress, schedule a FREE 30-minute consultation below to see how working with a financial coach can help.
Click Below to Schedule
Until next week! Stay Safe!
Coach Rebecca
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