Most of this blog focuses on what I am doing to save and invest our money to reach financial freedom. However, complete financial prudence is not the answer and represents an extreme end of the spectrum that is as well avoided as complete financial neglect and YOLO spending. So I think it is important to share the times that we spend money, why we spent it, and the value it brought us. With that in mind, here is our latest intentional spend update.

Setting the stage

As many of you know, I am a huge New York Jets football fan despite being raised and currently living in Buffalo, NY. The football season started about a month ago and the Jets actually played a great first game despite losing in a heartbreaking fashion. The team actually looked exciting and, forgive me for thinking, competent.

In the excitement of this hope, I really wanted to plan for our family to go see a game in New York at their home stadium, which would be a first for both of my older kids.

Our intentional spend update

So, what did we do?

Selenid and I looked at tickets for the next game, which was a home game for the Jets in New York against, who else, the Buffalo Bills.

We bought 4 VIP tickets (Selenid, me, and our two older kids) which included:

• Seats at the 50 yard line
• Lounge access with included food
• Field level access pre game and during the game
• On the field access after the game

Then we reserved a hotel for 2 nights in New Jersey (near the stadium) and our plan was set!

The cost of our latest intentional spend

Tickets: $3,100
Hotel: $750
Gas (for car ride): $200
Gear from the team store: $200

Total: $4,250

Not cheap by any means, so was it worth it?

The experience

It was amazing!

Let me start by saying that the Jets played terrible and were blown out. Their starting quarterback got hurt. The game was over in the 1st quarter. And this is where mindset comes into play. I went into this experience telling myself that the outcome of the game would not impact my experience. It would be silly to spend this money and have this family experience and only deem it a success if the underdog Jets won the game.

With that said, the experience was incredible! Our seats were perfect to see the whole game. The lounge was filled with food like hot dogs, lobster rolls, a prime rib station, and candy for the kids. It even had an ice chest filled with ice cream bars. What more could you ask for.

Pre game, we got to go to the official Jets tailgate and see a retired Jets player. Before the game, we watched warm ups at field level. My 6 year old got tired in the middle and was able to sit and watch from inside in air conditioning.

And the cherry on top is that, after the game, we got to go out and have the kids run around on the actual field.

Above that, staying at a hotel is always an exciting experience for our kids.

The verdict: was it worth it?

100%.

We all left feeling so blessed to have had this experience. To be able to decide last minute and go create this memory for all of us almost created a surreal feeling.

And how were we able to do this? Because we created cash producing assets as well as savings that permit us to cover these expenses when they come up at our discretion.

Remember, this is what money is for…to bring joy to yourself, your loved ones, and the world at large. When it accomplishes that goal, you are spending it intentionally. And this spend definitely met that criteria!

I encourage you all to evaluate your spending on both sides of the coin:

1. Is your spending impeding your ability to save and invest enough o reach financial freedom on your terms?
2. After you create a save savings rate and are on the path to financial freedom, does your spending align intentionally with your values?

You want to feel good about the answers to both of these questions. These tools can help!

• How Much Do You Need to Save for a $5 Million Nest Egg?
• 3 Easy Ways Doctors Can Convert Earned Income into Passive Income
• The 7 Step Basic Formula for Wealth as a Physician
• An Updated Formula to Practice Intentional Spending for Doctors

What do you think? What is your latest intentional spend update? Is there anything that would make you make purchase like this? Do you prioritize items or experiences? Let me know in the comments below!