Less money, more meaning

Cutting back made room for the moments that matter.

Photo by Matt Aylward on Unsplash

After blowing through the first half of the year like I was on a shopping spree, July hit like a reality check.

I wasn’t trying to starve my wallet. I was just long overdue for a reset. And wouldn’t you know, it ended up being my lowest spending month of the year. Funny how tightening the belt can actually make life feel richer.

Take golf with my daughter Parker, for example. It’s our summer ritual. At least once a year, we hit the course. With three weeks left before she starts sixth grade, we squeezed it in on the last day of the month. And to my surprise, she’s turning into a little beast out there. Smooth, effortless swing. Solid contact. Straight shots with real distance. Plus, that fearless “bring-it-on” attitude.

That time on the green wasn’t just leisure. It was a reconnection, a moment to pause, smile and appreciate the quality time that makes life lighter.

Total cost: $32. Return on investment: priceless.

I carried that same mindset through the rest of the month, spending on substance as opposed to quick thrills.

My spending finally felt purposeful in July, and my memories grew richer because of it.

It showed up in little ways.

An Instagram ad sent me down a pleasant rabbit hole that hipped me to Demola, an extraordinary Nigerian violinist.

By now, you know my lil mama Triest loves concerts. And I was happy to surprise her with something a little different.

For an unforgettable night, I spent just $95.06.

Before the show, we kicked things off with a lively tequila tasting. It cost $39.67 and was worth every sip — great pours, good people and just the right kind of buzz to start the evening.

The light but timely bites we grabbed before tossing back shots came to $27.34.

I spent another $154.40 ordering out last month. The pizza and chicken cravings hit hard, and I didn’t fight them.

Not everything I bought was for pleasure. I spent $85.99 on an annual Audible membership, half off the regular price. It came with 12 credits, which I’m using to work through a growing list of books about money. I’ve been choosing content that feeds my curiosity instead of just filling my time.

If you’re curious about the past, present and future of money, I highly recommend “Broken Money” by Lyn Alden. It’s a thoughtful, eye-opening read that’s worth your time.

Of course, not everything was a good memory.

A $120 parking ticket — plus a $2.36 fee — was a frustrating reminder that even a low-spend month comes with annoyances.

I paid $311 to renew my business address, spent $271 on a hardware wallet to self-custody my Bitcoin and got hit with a $149 annual credit card membership fee.

Still, I beat January by 14 bucks.

I didn’t stay home or stop living. I chose to spend with intention. I scaled back but prioritized people and moments.

I said no to mindless purchases and yes to meaningful experiences.

July reminded me that responsibility doesn’t have to mean deprivation. It can mean choosing better.

And sometimes, that means a round of golf, a concert or tequila shots with someone who matters.