Just Make It Better

In this post I am going to dive deeper into differentiating between a need and want and how to start the experience of a Crap Detox.

Dealbreakers

Everybody has the things they believe they need, which really have nothing to do with survival (stilettos, video games, liquor, fancy cell phones). That’s what makes them a want and not a need, right?

Depending on your current financials, the flexibility of this need/want line can differ. But the idea of CD is to remove yourself from feeling like any want is a need, and we will do that by temporarily taking away all but a few, regardless of your income.

To Start:

1. Get a pen, some paper and on one side start writing down EVERYTHING you purchase that if you couldn’t tomorrow you would still be healthy and alive. If you’re not sure, add it anyway, it probably counts; break it down to the bare minimum – you get the point.

(Don’t forget to include: beauty regimes, entertainment, coffee, clothes, expensive food, your expensive car payment, domestic services, bottled water, gum, weed, cigarettes, music, books, apartment in a high cost area, etc etc.)

When you have exhausted your energy and can’t think of anything else, step back and take a look at your list. (If you’ve been honest with yourself then it is probably long.) If you do not believe it is complete, go hunt down your last few months of credit/debit card statements and riffle through them. Add charges that you did not think of.

Ask yourself if each cash withdrawal went to a worthy purchase. Do you even remember where you spent it all?

2. Next flip the sheet over and start writing down all the things that truly mean a lot to you. All the things you dream about but don’t do because of the two most popular reasons: Time and Money.

(If you have other reasons, bring it up in the comments, so I might address them later!)

For me it was: travel Europe, start a writing career, get a puppy, see friends more, take dance lessons, get a masters degree, learn piano, have a backyard, learn karate, sleep late.

Look back at your list of crap. (Because that’s what it is!)

That list is what is keeping you from the time and money to get to those things that really matter to you.

It’s not your job, kids or other responsibilities; you can acquire the wants you really need!

3. Start deciding the easiest things to scratch off your crap list. The small things you could stop buying tomorrow (we’ll deal with big things like a car later). Run a big line through them. During this detox you are not going to purchase any of them and if you have a partner, share this with them.

Better yet, have them do it with you.

Now calculate what is 10% of your monthly salary (after taxes), consider what on your list is most important for you to have, then accomodate your wants into that monthly allowance. You can spend it how you want, but don’t reach beyond it.

This is a test to show you your relationship with things. For me it was bi-monthly haircuts, fresh fruit and eyebrow threading. This process starts to make your really get the effect of perceived importance, and how to eliminate it.

The next few days, watch how often you instinctually whip out your wallet to spend. Refer to the list as a reminder. Let the experience of this all simmer and soak in. The first few months can be the hardest, but also the most enlightening. Become conscious of your urge to spend, how quickly the dollars will dissipate. Resist, desist and maintain self control. In the end you’ll be so incredibly thankful.

When you feel weak, refer back to your list for what really matters; your dreams will get you through it.

Part 3: Falling Off The Wagon

If you want to go through a Crap Detox with the rest of us, subscribe here for updates and next steps. Hey at least try it; you’ve gotten nothing to lose but lotsa crap.

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