Money's Tight (Another Fun Fallacy to Consider)

Fallacy (noun): a mistaken belief, especially one based on an unsound argument; a failure in reasoning which renders an argument invalid; faulty reasoning; misleading or unsound argument. 

Remember when I wrote the post about the fact that claiming you have no time for things was a common fallacy that many of us are ready to believe? I've been pondering this quite a bit over the last few weeks, and I believe I have another one: "Money's really tight right now." Before you get your knickers in a knot, let me explain. 

Yes, there are times when money just cannot stretch as far. Everything has gone up in price (I mean, seriously...groceries, gas, even the cost of used books is making me roll my eyes!). And there are definitely situations when you are wondering if it's time to look under your couch cushions and on the floorboards of the car to see if you can scrape together enough to pay the electric bill. We've all experienced lean times, and some of us are still there. And based on the shape of the country at the moment, I suspect it's going to get worse before it gets better. If it does. But I digress. 

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Whatever the future holds, this idea of "Money's tight right now" is also a prime example of faulty reasoning. Why do I say this? Because I've heard people say it, but their choices would indicate otherwise. Does any of this sound familiar?

• Money's tight? Nice beach vacation photos on Facebook. 
• Money's tight? I see you got your nails (or hair) done last week. 
• Money's tight? I don't see you giving up your $6 cups of specialty coffee. 
• Money's tight? Interesting since we ran into you while eating out. 

Lest you think I'm self-righteously pointing fingers, I'll be the first to point back at myself. 

• Money's tight. Let's grab pizzas at Little Caesar's tonight, because I don't feel like cooking. 
• Money's tight. If I stop at McDonald's their Diet Cokes are cheaper than a stop at Starbucks. 
• Money's tight. I need a few more books for school and I couldn't find them at my local used bookshop, so I'll just click that "buy now" button on Amazon. 

These are actual examples of things I've said, thought, or acted on in the last few weeks. Yes, we are all guilty of being hypocrites from time to time, so what's my point?

Just like it was with our time, it's all about choices. 

We have time for what we make time for (vegging out on YouTube or reading a book; snacking on the couch or walking on the treadmill), and for most of us who are reading this, we also have money for what we want to have money for. Oh, maybe not everything we want (or want to do), but how and where we spend our money is still a choice for most Americans. I choose to shop discount stores and grocery clearance sales, use coupons, and eat from my freezer and I save a lot of money that way. But I also chose to eat out more often than I'm comfortable admitting - even if it's "just" $7 pizzas.

Take a look at the list below and see if anything here hits home for you (some of these I do, some of them people in my life would consider "common" and "necessary" expenditures).

• Streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBOMax, Spotify, etc.)
• Amazon Prime (and Prime Channels, like Britbox, Acorn TV, or PBS Masterpiece)
• Auto-refill on apps like Starbucks, Dunkin', or McDonalds
• Pricey monthly phone plans and regular phone upgrades to the latest iPhone
• Movie tickets (plus popcorn, candy, or drinks)
• More clothes (honestly, our closets are bulging!)
• Fast-food stops or ordering "To Go"
• Expensive birthday parties for kids and over-the-top Christmas mornings
• Yearly vacations to the beach, Disney, a cruise, flying somewhere, etc.
• Food that you'll never actually eat (grocery shopping when you're hungry gets you every time!)

All of which takes me back to my original statement: We have money for what we chose to have money for. And I suspect I'm not the only one who does, so let's chose our words wisely. We need to normalize saying and thinking things like: 

• If I don't have $20 for groceries, then I don't have $20 for my streaming choices.
• If I want to take a trip next year, I don't have money for [XYZ] now. 
• I can't afford lunch out, but I can invite people in for coffee or a bowl of soup. 
• I'm choosing to save for [a car, a trip, retirement, kid's college, etc.] which means I have to say "no" to other things.
• I have a lifetime supply of books I haven't read, so I don't need to buy one more. {ahem}
• Or how about getting into the habit of saying these three things, daily...

I have enough. I am blessed. I am thankful.