Shopping for Happiness
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Shopping for Happiness
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Shopping for Happiness

My mom's dying wish was that I'd spend money on myself – so that's what I'm doing

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My mom's dying wish was that I spend money on myself – so I'm doing it! Join me as I spend $1,000 per month for a year and see what I discover about women, shopping and self-worth.

Shopping for Happiness
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December 02, 2015

The misfortunes of women of fortune

December 02, 2015/ Susan Catto
The misfortunes of women of fortune

You'd think it would be great to be an heiress. So why do so many famous authors make rich women pay?

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December 02, 2015/ Susan Catto/ 1 Comment
November 26, 2015

On backsliding

November 26, 2015/ Susan Catto
On backsliding

After my October binge at the outlet mall, a friend asked: "Is rummaging through end of the line clothes the spirit of your mum's wish? I know it is early days, but I cannot but feel that you should be a bit more daring."  She's right, though it turns out to be harder than I thought to shed the (sale-seeking) habits of a lifetime. 

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November 26, 2015/ Susan Catto/ Comment
November 16, 2015

Tormenting myself in Mexico City

November 16, 2015/ Susan Catto
Tormenting myself in Mexico City

As guilt over spending an extra $40 intrudes on an otherwise-fantastic trip to Mexico City, I realize I have a lot of work to do before I can l silence the voice that says “you’re not worth it.”

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November 16, 2015/ Susan Catto/ Comment
psychology of spending, mom
travel, guilt
October 29, 2015

I'm putting my faith in Mr. Darcy

October 29, 2015/ Susan Catto
I'm putting my faith in Mr. Darcy

I've read that personifying money can help you see trouble spots in your relationship to wealth. I've decided to think of money as a very specific person: Mr. Darcy. 

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October 29, 2015/ Susan Catto/ 1 Comment
psychology of spending, Books
psychology, Jane Austen, Mr. Darcy
October 22, 2015

Kinky boots and new high heels

October 22, 2015/ Susan Catto
Kinky boots and new high heels

File my theatre tickets under the category of "Money Well Spent." Mary Jo – my mom's best friend of 50 years – and I had a really fantastic time together and unlike the first two times we met up after my mom died, neither of us burst into tears.

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October 22, 2015/ Susan Catto/ 5 Comments
mom, I bought this!
Theatre, Mom, Ron White, BCBGenerations
October 18, 2015

Out and about at the outlet mall

October 18, 2015/ Susan Catto
Out and about at the outlet mall

Can I just say that even with the angst I mentioned in my previous post, I’m finding this shopping business pretty fun? 

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October 18, 2015/ Susan Catto/ Comment
I bought this!
Saks, Barbour, Outlet
October 11, 2015

Ever suffer from buyer's remorse?

October 11, 2015/ Susan Catto
Ever suffer from buyer's remorse?

Wouldn't it be nice if we always felt as happy about our purchases as we did when we carried them triumphantly from the change room to the checkout? Unfortunately, many of us have an inner critic who's only too willing to second-guess our choices. 

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October 11, 2015/ Susan Catto/ Comment
October 05, 2015

Experts weigh in: Buy experiences, not things

October 05, 2015/ Susan Catto
Experts weigh in: Buy experiences, not things

Studies have shown that spending money does boost happiness levels, albeit under rather specific circumstances.

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October 05, 2015/ Susan Catto/ 6 Comments
research
research
September 26, 2015

Two hours, five purchases, a whole lot of money...

September 26, 2015/ Susan Catto
Two hours, five purchases, a whole lot of money...

No sooner had I posted my blog entry about not shopping with two thirds of the month gone then I went shopping — in a big way.

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September 26, 2015/ Susan Catto/ 4 Comments
September 19, 2015

Why aren't I shopping?

September 19, 2015/ Susan Catto
Why aren't I shopping?

I’ve got my spending plan. I’ve put the money aside. But the month is two-thirds over and I haven’t bought anything. 

What’s going on here? 

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September 19, 2015/ Susan Catto/ Comment
I bought this!, psychology of spending
purchases, sale
September 14, 2015

What would Suze Orman say?

September 14, 2015/ Susan Catto
What would Suze Orman say?

Suze Orman admits it: shopping can bring happiness! But what would she make of my plan?

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September 14, 2015/ Susan Catto/ Comment
psychology of spending
Suze Orman, Oprah, splurge, psychology, research
September 13, 2015

My magic spending number

September 13, 2015/ Susan Catto
My magic spending number

I thought I knew what people would say when I told them I was going to spend $1,000 a month on myself. What they actually said surprised me.

 

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    September 13, 2015/ Susan Catto/ Comment
    psychology of spending
    $1000, howmuchtospend
    August 30, 2015

    The folly of frugality

    August 30, 2015/ Susan Catto
    The folly of frugality

    I really tried to do it – I tried to embark on a major year-long writing project without owning a computer. It was yet another example of how I've let (misguided) frugality stand in my way.

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    August 30, 2015/ Susan Catto/ 3 Comments
    psychology of spending
    frugal, cheap, shopping, mybuy
    August 27, 2015

    Why I'm spending $1,000/month on myself

    August 27, 2015/ Susan Catto
    Why I'm spending $1,000/month on myself

    It was my mom's dying wish that I spend money on myself. Now, I'm going to honour her wish by spending $1,000 a month on myself for a year – and writing about it here.

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    August 27, 2015/ Susan Catto/ 1 Comment
    mom, psychology of spending
    mom
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    Shopping for Happiness

    Finding out what money buys. 

    What and Why

    It was my mother’s dying wish that I spend money on myself – so I'm going to do it. For the next year, using money she left me, I'm going to spend $1,000 per month on fun things – clothes, travel, who knows?  – and see if it changes my life.  

    As I honour my mom's wish — and write about it — I hope to start a conversation about how women feel about money, spending and self-worth.  

    Help start that conversation by telling me what you would buy with $1,000 and why. Click here! 

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