The Jesse Mecham Show

Am I Spendy or Spendful?

Mar 27, 2025

Jesse shares a relatable story about a couple's dilemma over a pricey piece of gym equipment. Their initial reaction was that it felt 'spendy,' but with further reflection, they questioned if it could be considered 'spendful.' The discussion highlights the importance of having a financial plan to navigate spending decisions. Jesse introduces five key questions to help listeners align their purchases with their values and goals, encouraging more intentional and mindful spending.

06:11

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Quick takeaways

Evaluating spending decisions through purposeful alignment with personal goals is crucial for making confident financial choices.

Utilizing the five-question framework can help clarify financial priorities and reduce anxiety around spending, fostering smarter decision-making.

Deep dives

Evaluating Spending Decisions

The episode emphasizes the importance of evaluating spending decisions through the lens of purpose rather than merely focusing on price. A writer named Emily encounters a scenario at the gym where a used piece of equipment is available for purchase, leading her to reflect on whether to buy it. Initially, her gut reaction was to dismiss the expense as 'spendy,' but she chose to engage in a discussion that centered around her financial priorities instead. This process illustrates the concept of being 'spend full,' which involves understanding the value of spending in alignment with personal goals and making informed decisions instead of automatic judgments based solely on cost.

Navigating Spending Decisions: Spendy vs. Spend Full

2min

Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Spending

4min

Jesse relates a story of a couple looking at a piece of gym equipment posted for sale at their local gym. It was expensive, and Emily's gut reaction was "no, it seems spendy." After some reflection she told her husband they should talk about it more, because maybe it was really a spendful purchase.

We are faced with decisions like these all the time. Without a plan, anything can seem spendy, even good things we want to spend our money on. Likewise, we can end up spending on things we don't really care about. Then there's the question "can I afford it?" that plagues us. These swirling, anxiety inducing questions can be answered by giving our dollars a job and working the 5 Questions (see episode #724 for more on the questions).

Next time you catch yourself thinking something is too spendy, ask yourself instead, could this be spendful?

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