Happy TGIF!

I'm excited to introduce you to friend and colleague of mine - Dr. Sally Palaian. Sally and I are speaking together in Chicago this weekend and I'm so grateful for the work she does. 

Sally is licensed psychologist in private practice for 24 years.  She specializes in the treatment of trauma and addictive behaviors, as well as marriage counseling.  She is the author of Spent: Break the Buying Obsession and Discover Your True Worth (Hazelden, 2009).

She also speaks on all things related to money:  compulsive spending, shopping addiction, paying off debts, developing budgets, and financial underachievement. 

Sally's book, Spent, is a wonderful guidebook on two topics that most of us don't like thinking about: money and spending. As a shame researcher I know what a tender topic this is. I also know that we either control our money or our money controls us.

I asked Sally who might benefit from reading her book and she said that Spent would be a great book for you if:

• You can’t understand why you spend money without thinking
• You wish someone would rescue you from your money problems
• No matter how much money you make, you always seem to live on the edge

I also asked her for some holiday TGIF advice and here's what she had to share:

"It’s up to you to create experiences, moments, connections.  Too many of us rely on material objects to create these memories.

For example, I have four things that have to happen for me to have splendid holidays:

1.Christmas caroling has to happen in my home with both friends and family.  (I host two parties.) 

2. I have to be outside in nature on Christmas day.  It can be a hike, or it might be shoveling, but I want/need to be outside breathing fresh air and moving my body.

3. One festive entertainment outside my home – a concert, play – usually it’s a free community event.

4. My family shares goals for the New Year every year.  These are public proclamations that someone types up…and we giggle about next year.  

These are gracious gifts - gifts that are all about trust, inspiration, and gratitude - no money needs to be spent."

I'm giving away two signed copies of Sally's book, Spent. Just leave a comment letting us know:

1. who/what you're trusting

2. who/what you're grateful for

3. who/what is inspiring you

I'll pick two winners on Monday.

Here's mine:

Today, I'm trusting that I can be away and still be near.

I'm grateful for people like Sally who are willing to take on tough topics so the rest of us can grow.

I'm inspired by spending less money and making more time.

My dear friend Amanda sent me a link to this Advent Conspiracy video and I found it to be very powerful. It certainly speaks to my family's commitment to rachet down the gift giving. The video is from a Christian perspective, but even if that's not your faith, I think it's inspiring on a human level.

Happy TGIF.  Don't forget to leave a comment for the giveaway!