Dec 20

Dec 20 The epic spending spree I won't regret.

The holidays are all about hustle and bustle and credit card swiping for some folks. We spent hundreds of dollars on a recent shopping spree, and it didn't even include gifts for friends and family. Here's why we won't regret it!

Nov 18

Nov 18 Year 1: How a year of more mindful spending changed my life.

Melanie Harding

Meaning, Wellbeing, Money

Mindfully Spent quietly turned 1 year old in September! This belated recap discusses how the year changed the way we live. While we are celebrating some big financial wins, the greatest gains have little to do with money.

Oct 16

Oct 16 When "F*ck You Money" becomes an excuse.

Melanie Harding

Meaning, Wellbeing, Money, Time

Who are we if we show up at the workplace thinking only about our own paycheck? Life is precarious. Show up like it matters.

Sep 7

Sep 7 Do your future self a favor: How changing your habits can help you reach your goals.

Melanie Harding

Money, Wellbeing, Time

During the first six weeks of spending my money more mindfully, I made significant changes that set me up for success. But the power of habit can be harnessed at any time to keep us building a rich and meaningful life.

Aug 1

Aug 1 Wabi-sabi, our bodies, and the constant drive to buy new things.

Melanie Harding

Wellbeing, Money, Meaning

Could an eastern philosophy that help us cut our spending and change the way we view our bodies? The passage of time changes all things, but applying a little Wabi-sabi to our lives can give us a sense of deep and meaningful peace that a new purchase or an age-defying wrinkle cream cannot.

Jul 26

Jul 26 Variations on the path to financial success. Part 2.

Melanie Harding

Wellbeing, Money

Can you find financial success after life falls apart? Are rural, low income kids destined to repeat their parents' fates? This series explores the origins of people who found success by following a non-traditional path. #FirstGen

Jul 13

Jul 13 Variations on the path to financial success. Part 1.

Melanie Harding

Money, Wellbeing

Do you have to be born rich to rack up an admirable net worth? Is it too late to fix things if you've accumulated a bunch of bad debt? If you haven't walked the straight and narrow can you find success? This series explores the origins of people who found success despite starting out behind or taking a winding road.

Jun 27

Jun 27 Hope: The unexpected tool that can create financial success.

Melanie Harding

Money, Wellbeing

We did not pay off our consumer debt by accident. Today, we write in praise of hard work and the four miracles of our financial success. Also... Underemployment in America, and why looking at the world through a lens of hope is some seriously powerful shiznit.

Jun 20

Jun 20 Major Milestone: Our Consumer Debt is Paid in Full!

Melanie Harding

Money, Meaning, Wellbeing

Just ten months ago, we were 5 digits deep in consumer debt. We had a department store card balance, general credit card debt, and a car loan payment. Now we have none. But we're not done! How our financial goals and our relationship with money are changing.

May 1

May 1 No one needs to approve except for you.

Melanie Harding

Meaning, Wellbeing, Time

Each of us comes packaged with highly variable values and priorities. Just like there is no single standard of beauty, there are a multitude of ways to define what it means to live a good life. It's why we all want different things in romantic partners, household budgets, and political candidates. Building a meaningful life (much like setting big financial goals) requires a deeply moving "Why?" Also... a bit about the evils of external validation.

Mar 30

Mar 30 The intimacy of asking for help.

Melanie Harding

Wellbeing

Extreme self-reliance is anything but strength. Revealing our true selves (not just the impressive self-reliant parts), increases the depths of our relationships and can make us a more effective workplace leader.

Mar 23

Mar 23 This eyeshadow isn't empty: 11 ways to save on beauty products & services.

Melanie Harding

Money, Wellbeing

When we challenge the purchases that we make out of habit, we can find significant cost savings. You don't have to wear makeup to appreciate many of the lessons I learned as I took on reducing the cost of personal care and beauty supplies.

Mar 21

Mar 21 Money can't fill a hole.

Melanie Harding

Wellbeing, Money, Meaning, Time

Money can't fill a hole. Neither can distractions. Building a fulfilling life requires us to tackle the hard stuff and seek out more than the quick thrill of shallow experiences. (Also, some crazy interesting stuff on Signalling Theory and how it impacts our shopping habits!)

Feb 23

Feb 23 The fitness challenge that will save us over $800 this year.

Melanie Harding

Wellbeing, Money

We have taken many steps to reduce our expenses, yet we’ve been forking out a whole lotta money every month for a gym membership. Good health can be priceless, but this month we found a better solution.

Feb 21

Feb 21 The vital importance of feeling worthy.

Melanie Harding

Wellbeing

Our worth is in no way determined by our past. Sometimes we have to rewrite our story and reimagine our place in the world in order to reach further and do more.

Feb 7

Feb 7 How to host a Soup Swap (and slow cook your way to extra savings!)

Melanie Harding

Money, Wellbeing

Our bellies and hearts were warmed by good company when we hosted a soup swap recently. Here's what it taught us about managing our grocery budget.

Jan 10

Jan 10 Why are you wasting your money on what you don't love?

Melanie Harding

Meaning, Money, Wellbeing

Some wise words snapped me out of a life where I habitually spent my time and money on unnecessary things that didn't bring me joy or support my long-term goals. In this post, it is an honor to share those words with you.

Jan 5

Jan 5 Dry January: A month of improved health and cost savings.

Melanie Harding

Money, Wellbeing

This month, there will be no delicious IPA with our cilantro Chimichurri quesadillas. What could you give up to save money?

Dec 15

Dec 15 The Process of Purging: Holding Memories and Releasing Possessions

Katie Oaks Weiler Stephens

Meaning, Wellbeing

The post is part of Mindfully Spent's Series "Doing the (Seemingly) Impossible." Guest Contributor Katie Oaks Weiler Stephens writes with grace about her relationship with the material things in her life and why she decided it was time to unburden herself of some very sentimental possessions.

Oct 20

Oct 20 25 Free Dates (because relationships shouldn't be built on money).

Melanie Harding

Money, Wellbeing

Quality time with friends, family, and loves is important. Invest in your relationships without spending a dime with these totally free date ideas. Whether you are ridiculous or serious, an author or an outdoorsman, this list has something for you!

Welcome.