When you leave the security of a full-time job, you lose financial stability.
Some leave by choice.
Others do not.
The result is the same.
There is no check arriving in the mail.
As a result, you pull back to the basics.
Quickly calculating a “financial floor” where we understand and ensure the necessities are paid.
Depending on your prior salary and lifestyle, there may be drastic changes.
No more spending on the unessential items that had become part of day-to-day life.
A cup of coffee from the local coffee shop. A new sweater as the weather gets chilly (or just because you want one). Or a fun date night out.
As I’ve been reflecting on three years outside corporate life, I wanted to share a story.
Discovering My “Socks”
My story starts with all the challenges of stepping away from a regular paycheck.
As you might imagine, life was full of extra spending cuts.
Through the early days, I remembered a story from a friend years ago.
She said that when she started her first job money was extremely tight.
To reward herself every now and then, she would buy fun socks. They didn’t cost much, and they made her happy.
Early on in my journey, I started finding my “socks”.
I gave a $15 allowance each month for a little reward.
A token to celebrate the successes of the month….no matter how small they were.
I quickly figured out my category – mugs! I love my morning mugs.
This journey has created a collection of both monthly and holiday themes.
They make me smile every day.
Each time I pull one out, I remember when they were purchased.
And the celebrations they represent.
Your Turn
Have you been in the position where money was tight, and you found your “socks”?
If so, what did you buy? If not, what might be your inexpensive treat?
Is there someone in your network you could share this story with to make a positive impact on their current situation?