Hey there!
I spent around $1,000 and made $985 a few hours later!
Let me give you a bit of a backstory: Just over a year ago, I was running a successful couponing blog. I was dubbed the “Queen of Coupons” and the “Queen of Frugal”. Everything I did revolved around saving money. Need new shoes? Where can I get the best deal? Need more toothpaste? Where can I get it for free with sales and coupons?
It was exciting for the first few years I was this way, but eventually, I just got really tired of it. Tired of always scrimping and saving, tired of NEVER having enough money for the things and experiences I wanted, tired of spending all my waking hours clipping coupons and deal hunting, just to save a bit of cash.
So, I just stopped. Stopped with the coupons. Stopped looking for deals. I just stopped. Everything. Around that time, I was working in a group program with a business coach that was helping me to get my coaching business off the ground, and she taught me about manifesting and “living as if”. As if I was already making the money I wanted to make. As if I was already my idea of successful. As if I was already happy with my work.
And so I jumped right in with both feet. I started living my life as if I already had all the things I wanted. I was way more grateful. For my health, my family, a bill that just got paid in full, a new fan on my Facebook page. Grateful for everything. And I truly lived like I was already wealthy and loving my job - I treated myself to small splurges at the grocery store (without using coupons!), I bought myself a new book, I allowed myself to stay in the hot shower to relax for as long as I wanted to.
I did all of this stuff, just to “live as if”. And guess what - once I started doing that, my entire life changed. I now make WAY more money (over $200K in 6 months this year), I’m more calm, I’m not worried about money, I travel more (4 times so far this year), I can spoil my friends and family a lot more often than before, and best of all - I AM HAPPY. I’m finally living the life I’ve been dreaming of.
Now, let me get back to the story about my shopping spree at the mall: Last week, I decided to take Monday off from work and go to the mall with my daughter (the one day she isn’t in daycare). I had planned to go there to buy shoes that I needed, but on the drive over, I said to myself “I’m going to splurge today and buy whatever I want to buy”. It was exciting to say out loud, but I have to admit - I was nervous. What if I spent “too much”? What if I got a bit carried away?
But I brushed those thoughts aside and walked into the mall. I bought something at the first store I walked into - 3 kid’s shirts from Roots. Then I moved on to the next store and bought a pair of shoes for myself. At the next store, 2 brand new pairs of pants (at over $100 a piece). I was no longer worried about spending too much money or getting carried away. I just went with it because I knew this is what I needed to do for myself. I don’t know why, but I knew I had to allow myself to have this fun.
After 3 hours at the mall, I’d spent around $1,000, and made clothing purchases I’d been wanting to make (but felt guilty about because of the cost) for months. I even treated my daughter to a smoothie from the food court and she was so excited!
When I got home later that day, I checked my email and saw that I’d had 5 people sign up for my new program, totaling $985 - covering all of my mall purchases. The Universe was rewarding me for taking care of myself.
This is not the first time that something like this has happened to me. I find that any time I invest in myself (either personally or in my business), I’m rewarded in some way (financially or otherwise) - and also, the more FUN I have in my personal life, the more money I make in my business.
So today I want to ask you this: When is the last time you gave yourself permission to invest in yourself? When is the last time you allowed yourself to just have fun and enjoy your life? If you can’t remember, I invite you to give both a try today. I can promise you it will be SO good for your soul.
xx,
Cassie