Okay – you can admit it. We love to shop. I do not care from what corner of the world you hail; women have an insuppressible urge to purchase things. It is somewhat of an athletic event for us, and we prepare for it as such. In preparation for a serious shopping excursion, I don my sneakers and yoga pants (I’m not the only one!). As exhilarating as this pastime (re: life sustaining action) may be, it does come with certain drawbacks - like, say, a serious hole in your bank account. Despite our innate urge to go bat shit crazy during this time of year, it is important to remember that financial responsibility is integral to the survival of today’s independent woman (cue catchy pop song).
Financial conservatism is not a dirty or depressing concept. In fact, it should inspire you. The common trend that I see amongst a lot of young women today is frivolous spending on the latest trend. It seems that with all of the images that the media feeds us, it has become essential for us to have the latest bag, the latest shoes, the latest clothes, but at what cost? Enjoying shopping is one thing; however, crippling your livelihood for this sake is an entirely different matter. When did we become so consumed by consumerism?
When we took this turn doesn’t really matter, what matters is that we become more conscious of our spending habits, particularly during holiday season. I believe that the holidays become an excuse for us to satisfy our shopping desires. It’s like second hand smoke to a former chain smoker. Holiday shopping should not be an excuse to go into debt. It is important to understand that the lavish gift is not always the best gift; it’s high time we got creative.
Sometimes, you may not have the money to give, and if that is the case, think of alternative gift ideas. Why not bake cookies or make holiday candy, wrapped in pretty boxes or paper? You might also take a nice photograph in black and white, print it and frame it in an economical black or white cardboard frame. You could even do a teacup filled with specialty teas. These are just a few suggestions. But my point is, when holiday shopping, pick a gift tailored to suit your loved one and stay within your budget. Your budget may accommodate a Louis Vuitton hand bag or it may accommodate a free movie pass. Either way, you should purchase with a mind for what your expenditures will mean for your future saving or investment plans.
The most important thing that a woman can do for herself is to ensure her independent security. Trust me - wealthy husbands are not being handed out like Christmas cards. And even if they were, a woman should always have the option of self determination. The most integral part of establishing freedom is economic sustainability. Financial dependence has historically been used to bind women, people and nations alike; do not allow it to bind you.
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