Feng Shui Your Finances
Feng shui is the practice of placing objects within a space in order to optimize the flow of positive energy. I first began considering feng shui after a two-week visit to China last year. Its principals are commonly drawn upon in modern Chinese architecture and interior design, and I found myself drawn to the simple, uncluttered look that often characterizes spaces with good fung shui.
Prior to my trip, I had lumped feng shui into the same category as voodoo and Wicca - interesting, but not necessarily applicable to my life or belief system. Lately, however, the idea of a simpler, more harmonious existence has become very appealing to me. In the past few months I have been making a few changes in my home and office - primarily to declutter and downsize. I’m having a difficult time keeping up with all of the cleaning and organization that is required for a truly feng shui life. The whole process has got me thinking about how having a simple, uncluttered physical house is a lot like having a clean and tidy financial house: Great in theory, difficult in practice.
I work with a woman who seems to be very centered and very feng shui - and I admire immensely. She always knows exactly what to say, her clothes are perfect for whatever occasion it happens to be, and I’ve never seen her with a hair out of place. She and her husband keep an immaculate home, have great kids, and are in remarkable physical shape (they are triathletes, for goodness sake!). I know that her life is not perfect - no one’s is - but it’s her sheer discipline that astounds me. I think it’s this discipline that I’m missing.
The only way I manage to keep it together is that I’m highly organized in my work life - my home (and checkbook) is another story. Only my partner and my nearest and dearest know that I am a walking catastrophe and a horrible housekeeper. I am the kind of woman who is frantically flying around the house with a vacuum cleaner in one hand and a garbage bag in the other whenever my future mother-in-law calls to say she’s going to stop by on her way through town. I only do laundry when I’m out of clean underwear and there was a day last week when my pants were being held up by nothing more than a tiny safety pin and sheer willpower because the button came off somewhere between my car and my office on my way into work. Common themes in my inner monologue include: “there must be a better way ” and “I’ll take care of that tomorrow.”
Normal people - people with healthy balance sheets and clean refrigerators - don’t live this way. Normal people not only find the time to do the dishes in the sink every day, but train for triathlons. Normal people epitomize feng shui without even trying. I desperately want to be one of these people. I know that it’s too much to ask that I (and my finance, for that matter) change overnight and become one of “them” and have it all together. When it comes down to it - we just haven’t been very disciplined in any area of my life - spending included.
I am hopeful that as I continue to feng shui my house and my body the trickledown effect with also impact my finances - and then I will finally have the simple, uncluttered life that I dream of.
Stumble it!
December 9th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
While I certainly agree that having a healthy balance sheet and a clean refrigerator are something to strive for (I’m better with the balance sheet than the fridge…), I would place these qualities these in the category of excellence as opposed to normalcy. Thinking this level of life organization is “normal” might lead to being hard on yourself and your SO. Though minimizing possessions and debt certainly make organization more attainable.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:36 am
I’m so glad you wrote this. I feel the exact same way…like I have NOTHING together! The big difference is that I do have my financial house in order…but I don’t consistently work out, cook, clean, do laundry, get car maintenance, go to the dentist, etc., and I always feel so guilty about it. I’m a procrastinator for sure…argh! Can my New Years resolution be to become your coworker?
In all seriousness, this comment you left on a couple posts ago raised a red flag in my mind:
“My beloved isn’t much of a saver or a planner. I have a sinking feeling that if we (I) don’t make the honeymoon a priority - we may never take that big trip.”
I hope you go to premarital counseling AND financial counseling…the experts say this is the kind of thing that can tear two people apart…and I would hate to see you start your life as newlyweds not on the same page financially. If you’re determined to get out of debt and he doesn’t care, you could be climbing an uphill battle for a very long time. I just hope you’re going in with your eyes open.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Hey Heidi, it’s Heidi -
I would say that no matter what your structure or lack of structure, ,you and your partner need to know that you balance each other. You each have strenths and weaknesses that you bring to the relationship. Neither one of you has to be perfect or strive to be.
Just be happy! Don’t be afraid to take risks!
Discuss your goals and plans together and meet in the middle - I believe the best you do in life is when you agree to compromise. When anything is to one sided, that causes stress and coflict.
I think being open and honest about everything, and setting goals (in writing) will help you to become your best.
Keep it up and don’t forget, “What’s Going On”
December 10th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
@AC - thanks for the concern. I have been with my partner for nealry five years and I know what we’re getting into. I mentioned our ‘come to jesus’ meeting in a previous post and I’m hopeful that will be a turning point when it comes to our finances. We are going to be doing some premarital counciling and I’m also considering a prenup - certainly a subject for a future post (not very romantic, for sure, but you’re right about going into a marriage with open eyes).
@Heidi - I agree that compromise is the key to any great relationship. I am trying to let go of my fierce independent streak and work on that a little more. As I’m sure you can tell - I can get to be pretty bossy.
December 12th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
I’m happy to have found your blog! I too am in my 30s, just learning about personal finance and the importance of paying off my credit card debt (am motivated by so many wonderful personal finance bloggers), and am engaged and getting married in October 2008. Please share your wedding plans if you can - I’m sure you, like me, are looking for ways to save money and still have a fun wedding.
December 12th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
@Colleen - congrats on your pending nuptuals!
I have been trying to refrain from discussing the wedding too much (I don’t want this to become Heidi’s wedding blog - and besides, I’m not a very “bridey” bride).
I will be doing a post about our budget. We’re trying to do something really simple and casual, but we’re spending A LOT to get there. I’m sure my readers will be shocked to see where we are spending and where we are scrimping.
July 24th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Just a bug in your ear, check out Messies Anonymous, the books are really helpful in de-mystifying the “cleanies” and the “normal” people.