What are you working for?

– 8 October , 2010Posted in: Other

I’m not sure when this popped into my head: “What am I really working for, here?”, but it helps to go over the exercise once a year at least.

At the start….

…it was to get rid of my debt. It’s all I could think about, that $60,000 monster on my back, cramping my style and sucking the life force out of me.

It made me a slave to my job, a slave to my manager, and basically ignore anything in my life because I was so intense on keeping my job to get out of debt.

Now…

…it is to be financially secure so that I will never have to feel like I am a slave to my job or the whims of my manager.

I also want to feel that if anything happens, I am prepared.

So what are you working for?

To get rid of your debt?

Pay for all of your furniture?

To be able to go out and eat fast food or at restaurants?

To drive a car that you use to sit in traffic in for 2 hours a day?

To be able to buy nice clothes and things, so you feel great about yourself?

Whatever it is, think about it, and from doing so, your priorities will emerge — the good and the bad.

Then from there, you can make the change.

If you are spending too much time and a large percentage of your net pay, paying for things you don’t really think should be your priorities, then change it.

Tags: Future, Life, Productivity, Working

About everydayminimalist

I'm a 20-something year old girl who lived out of a single suitcase in 2007, and now I'm living with less, but only with the best. You don't have to get rid of everything to become a minimalist! Minimalism can help simplify and organize your life, career, & physical surroundings. You can read more about me as a minimalist. Or come and visit my other blog Fabulously Broke in the City where I got out of $60,000 of debt in 18 months, earning $65,000 gross/year.

http://lunamatic.net Sandra Davis

Right now I'm working for two things:
a. Freedom, so I can move out of the family home and up to the city, where I'll be able to walk to work, instead of spending 3-4 hours at a bus stop, or on a bus, listening to the buzz from other peoples headphones and getting bumped around.
b. Experience, in this particular field, web design/development.

If I could just free up some time, I'll be so happy. I should have made the move to Dublin within a month or two
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  That sounds lovely. I think freedom for me, is very much tied to making sure that I have enough money in the bank and I can live on the bare minimum (plus a little luxury) without feeling deprived.
  
  I too, am working for experience, which leads to freedom because I can then choose what I want to do.
http://www.itsahero.com/ Rachel

I read this post and decided I need to re-read this post when I have an hour or so to really reflect on what I'm working for (both during and after I get out of debt).
My recent post
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  Come back when you have it
  
  I think getting out of debt means you're working towards freedom from being a debt slave (been there, done that)… but after you're out of debt, I felt like I was working towards freedom to be financially secure.
Concojones

I can honestly say my spending perfectly reflects my priorities.
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  Ditto. I just reviewed my expenses and I've only spent on Shelter and Food this month.
  
  It's not that I don't want things (hello, Roland GX 700 piano), but I seem to have lost the need to want to shop for clothes and shoes. In fact, I'm putting up more things for consignment by doing another purge.
Concojones

- to pay the bills — which aren't that high, so what other reasons are there for me:
- to have fun / something to do (just like Allison)
- to become financially secure and make sure that if I work a job, it's because I want to, not need to
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  I forgot about having fun!
  
  I guess blogging for me is having fun, so I have that covered.
eemusings

I work for freedom?

So I can save for a) travel b) a house of my own and beyond that, to live the life I want, which includes lots of trips, good food, and eventually a family of my own.
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  Travel is another one that I'm really into, although I think after this trip to Asia in 2011, I am done traveling until the future unborn kids are raised and in college.
  
  We've pretty much seen the world together, or at least, the places we want to see together like Japan
  My recent post Money really doesn’t make you happy
http://wannabeminimalist.blogspot.com/ tabatha

I have pictures of the cookies, The pizza didn't "look" as good as it tasted b/c the cheese was a little burned. But I do have a picture of it. I might wait till I get a better one to put it up though. I will definitely be taking picture when I learn to make bread.

Thanks for the comment, I totally love your blog.
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  Well I do like a little burned cheese… or at least dry and crusty. Gives a good bite
  
  If you want to learn how to make pizza bread, we've found that a simple recipe for Pita Bread works the best for pizzas!
  My recent post Money really doesn’t make you happy
emmy

I work to get out of student loan debt ($52k!) and save for retirement. The debt is a huge weight on my back that I think about every single day. I would love to someday only work part time and continue to live simply so I can enjoy so many more things in life and volunteer more.
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  $52k is not an easy road out. I feel your pain, I used to have $60k in debt (FabulouslyBroke.com)
  
  I think working part time is a great idea. I work semi-part time although not by choice as I am on contracts
Kristin @ SYL

This is a really good post. I'm constantly working on my budget and trying to control my impulse spending. I'd love to be able to save most of my money and just live comfortably.
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  Thank you! I love hearing how people try to control impulse spending. I\’m such an impulse shopper that I can relate.
alliston

I work here (yes, I'm at work right now) for two things: to get money to buy my things (car, home, furnitures for home, 'cause I intend to marry as soon as I can), and to have fun! I love my profession, it's the right choice for me. Of course, sometimes the things aren't as we like, but in most of the time, I love to work here Congrats for the post, and thanks to make me think about my job!
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com evrydaymnmalist
  
  I think that being able to enjoy your job most of the time is the most important. You're at your job for most of your waking hours during the week!

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In a Nutshell

other blog: fabulously broke in the city
minimalist since: 2007 -- why minimalism?
talk to me: contact me here!
current location: canada/usa
home: hotel room
owns: 3 suitcases 2 carryons of stuff
# of items: more than 100!
furniture: 1 japanese futon
works: business consultant
gadgets: macbook pro, ipod touch (pda)
drinks: earl grey cream tea
practices: rebel yoga and de-cluttering
loves: minimalism, $$ management, traveling
quirk: must prep my food before eating
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What are you working for?

At the start….

Now…

So what are you working for?

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