Nov 18

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

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.

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.

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 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 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 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 6

Oct 6 The geography of mindful thought.

Jennifer Ellen Haydon

Wellbeing

Our first guest contributor discusses how being more mindful of our thoughts can help us break patterns of worry and negativity and cultivate greater wellbeing.

Welcome.