When I was getting rid of my clutter, I photographed a lot of the things I gave away (I also gave a lot of them away via my blog, so I needed visuals).

http://blog.timesunion.com/simplerliving/category/take-my-stuff-please/

I’m glad I did because it helped me track my progress and gave me a visual diary of my efforts. Taking photographs is also something professionals recommend as a way to let go of things you don’t need but want to remember. Mindful decluttering, maybe?

Naomi

But from a Law of Attraction standpoint, I’m not sure about the wisdom of doing this. Those of us who practice the LOA principles use vision boards to help us to focus on what we want, thus attracting more OF it into our lives.

I think becoming aware of one’s actions and the consequences thereof is fine; but feel caution is necessary lest the documentation backfire and cause the opposite result.

It might be all right to document the purchase of something you really want–say, you finally bought that jet ski you always wanted. That’s fine. Document the purchase, draw it, and maybe it will promote the energy needed to continue to attract more good stuff your way. But I’d be leery about drawing my credit card statements or bills, lest I inadvertently attract MORE bills and credit statements into my life!

It has been an interesting project and one that will be wrapping soon (at least the credit card part…I will be debt free by 2010!)

The daily drawing part is something I don’t think I can give up, however. The four years worth of drawings has really taken on a nice life of their own – an odd diary of sorts through consumed objects. People ask me if I buy something everyday and there are many days that I don’t (though, I am still consuming non-tangibles – heat, electricity, internet etc – I have drawn these, too, actually). On the days that I don’t purchase anything I will draw an item that was consumed around the same general time frame. Yes, there are times when I have purchased something so I could draw it (fake mustaches, an interesting looking mug from the thrift store), but nothing usually over a dollar or two.

Thanks again for your comments! I appreciate it!

That way you will be able to look at those words and separate your emotions from them and look at yourself objectively.

Money management is not hard, we just to make it so.

Best,
Tomas

Maybe that is the point

We can become in control of our life by becoming conscious in everything we do.

When we’re aware of what we buy each time we make a purchase, we’ll think twice about what value it really brings us, whether we need it, and how it impacts our personal finance. We gain control of not only our money this way, but also the clutter in our life, our health and diet, and anything else related to that item.

I like how you said that mindless spending is what leads to no money. We can spend as long as we’re thinking. It doesn’t even have to be over-budgeting or anything, but by simply noticing and thinking about each thing that we bring into our lives (via a purchase), we gain a firm grasp on our wallets and don’t let the spending get out of control.

Dig Kate’s drawings, and nice reminder to never stop being conscious of our spending (and our lives),
Oleg