Money Where Your Mouth Is - All Behind A Smile

If you have heard the phrase “put your money where your mouth is”, you aren’t alone… in fact, there are even songs quoting that saying. And yet, how many times have we thrown money at something (so to speak) because it fits our perception of who we are, or who we want to become, only to find that the money was wasted?

This could be a fancy or expensive purchase that sits unused, classes that go unattended, even relationships that are never nurtured. The possibilities are practically endless.

Humans simply tend to have an idea of who they are/want to be, and spend their money on that image, without necessarily spending the time to become that image.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Does it actually do any good to throw money at ideals? You know, the fancy appliance (when you hate to cook). The expensive piece of exercise equipment (you are mostly sedentary). The “goal” clothes (you despise eating healthy).

Is it really so radical to learn the habit/practice/ideal BEFORE investing the money?

Please keep in mind, I am just as guilty. It is so easy to make a purchase to “help” with the habit or “inspire” or “encourage” or any number of other words that sound promising.

Psst! If you are feeling like a failure over those expensive purchases/splurges that are sitting and collecting dust, you might want to head on over to Taking Back the Power from Failure after finishing this article. Don’t worry, if you click the link it will open a new tab.

It’s Not About the Money

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links, so if you were to make a purchase using the link I may make a small commission, but your price does not change. Thanks for helping support All Behind A Smile!

Okay, okay, we’ve established that there have been poor purchasing decisions made… what now? Let us continue with a quick mantra… “money doesn’t make you who you are”. Whether that means you don’t need riches, or that throwing money at goals doesn’t turn them into habits, or both, it’s important to remember that phrase.

You can (often) become who you want to be WITHOUT throwing around wads of cash. (Preaching to the choir again).

Although it might be helpful to start by reading my favorite book on habits (so far), you could borrow it from the library (or get it free through an Audible trial at the moment), so no need to throw money around yet.

Maybe it’s time to normalize DEVELOPING the habit BEFORE INVESTING in the habit/ideal/goal.

Due to increasing length, this may be a two-parter… but as it stands, how do you tend to develop (or attempt to develop) habits? Do you throw money at ALL THE THINGS to “help”, or do you learn how to do _ (fill in the blank) first, BEFORE investing? Let me know in the comments below.