Try to Be a Little More Zen About Spending Money on Important ThingsS

What good does freaking out over expensive but worthwhile purchases do, especially if you can afford to splurge? Nothing, according to research (from Kipslinger via the New York Times):


So how can you become the Goldilocks of finance and worry the "just right" amount? You can start by paying with a card instead of cash, because research shows that people feel more carefree when they're not literally parting with tangible money. (We're simple animals, really.) (Also, um, there might be a thin line between "feeling carefree" and "major credit card debt.") But according to financial planner Carl Richards, it's more important to try and feel happy when we spend money on things we value that are within our budget:

2. Is this something I value?

Alright, I'm game! Here are the two largest purchases I've made in the past month:

1. Plane ticket to visit my best friends in San Francisco = fits in my budget and I value it! Score.
2. New phone to replace the one I drunkenly left in a cab = ......

Don't Punish Yourself Every Time You Spend [New York Times]

Image via Andy Dean Photography/Shutterstock.