Mindful Spending in the New Year for Women Who Like Things As Well As Experiences

I spent the last week of 2024 in the Sonoma Wine Country, on the outskirts of the charming town of Healdsburg. I had a wonderful time staying one night at the H2 Hotel, a boutique hotel near the town square, and then two nights in a spacious Airbnb on the Gracianna Winery property. From every window of the BNB was a view of Pinot Noir vineyards, all hibernating for the winter, grapeless, but still beautiful.

During our getaway, my husband and I enjoyed an Italian varietal wine tasting at Idlewild at their tasting room in town and a tasting at Overshine Wine Co, sipping Chardonnay and Zinfandel while listening to the proprietor's collection of soul music. We also took a bike ride on Westside Road—a long and winding wine country road, breezing past vineyards, rustic wineries, and beautiful homes with the winter sun keeping us warm enough while the cold winter breeze refreshed us. An added treat: my nephew and his family came for a homemade roast chicken dinner on New Year's Eve. All of these experiences were delightful and memorable, and it was a magical time.

Healdsburg also has some darn good shopping, including several women's clothing boutiques. My guilty pleasure is style and fashion. My love of clothing started long ago when I was a teenager (and raided my sister's wardrobes because I always wanted something new to wear) and has never waned over all these years. Every New Year's Day, my favorite Healdsburg boutique has a one-day half-off everything sale. This particular boutique carries a carefully curated selection of clothing by designers in Italy, France, Germany, Iceland, Denmark, Japan, and NYC.

Needless to say, I'm like a kid in a candy store when I enter this boutique on sale day. Women line up early to get the best chance at scoring a beautiful piece of clothing, and for the last few years, I have been first in line! I bought several items at excellent prices, including a cream-colored ribbed cotton/wool sweater by Yohji Yamamoto and an open-weave black cashmere Isabel Benenato cropped sweater. I plan to wear both pieces often.

Will I enjoy wearing these new clothes as much as I enjoyed my experiences in the wine country?

Can I afford both the experiences and the things I want?

I’d love to say yes to everything. But life, and finances, don’t work that way. Unless a person has an infinite supply of funds (which I don’t), being a mindful spender becomes essential.

For me, mindful spending is about being intentional and thoughtful with my choices, making sure they align with both my values and my financial reality. The wine country getaway and the boutique shopping spree both brought immense joy, as I knew they would.

If you’re like me—a woman who loves things as much as experiences—you might wonder how to balance it all. This is what I have done:

Clearly define what you truly value and what brings lasting fulfillment. What’s worth spending on, and what isn’t? Equally important: recognize the trade-offs. What are you willing to forgo to say yes to the things you love most?

When I planned the Healdsburg getaway, I decided we’d skip the expensive restaurant meals and enjoy happy hours and simple dinners-in instead. That choice saved dollars for the things and experiences we enjoy more—like that beautiful cream sweater:) Every time I wear it, I’ll remember the laughter, the vineyards, and the wonderful time we had saying farewell to 2024.