What do you tell yourself when you "can't afford" something?

What do you say when there’s something you’d like to do but maybe you don’t have the extra money to do it? The typical response is “I can’t afford it”, but anyone who studies the power of intention, the law of attraction or any similar way of thinking, knows that saying you “can’t afford it” is really just affirming that you can’t, and won’t, have the money for the things you want or need.

So what do you say instead of “I can’t afford it?” Surely there are times when all of us are faced with an opportunity to spend money on something, and it would be a lie to say we don’t want it or aren’t interested, but the reality is that there simply isn’t the extra money, RIGHT NOW, available for spending.
So how do you respond?

I’ve started saying, “it’s not in my budget.” It feels good to me to say that, instead of the more negative alte
ative. I feel it’s a fair explanation for the salesman who wants me to drop money on a product I don’t need (but might like to have some day), or that last minute vacation that comes up and I have to make a choice. Do I pay my rent this month so I have a safe place to live, or do I spend the money on a trip to meet up with friends in Vegas for the weekend? Using the words “I can’t afford it” is both debilitating, and really, not 100% true. I DO have the money to go to Vegas, IF that is my #1 priority. If I don’t mind being behind on the rent or having to couch surf for a few months so I can spend the money on a trip, then I could, technically, afford it. Of course, my choice is to have a safe and secure home and to pay my rent on time. So I say it’s not in the budget. I could buy that designer dress I’ll probably never wear. But my priority is to put food on the table and pay my bills on time, so the designer dress isn’t in my budget right now.

It’s not in my budget feels good for a number of reasons. #1, it feels honest. I’m not lying and saying I don’t want to do something, and I’m not fooling myself into slapping it on a credit card that’s nearly maxed out already. #2. when I think about my budget, I feel good about it. It’s the way I manage my money responsibly. It’s the way I am able to live securely, while remaining debt-free, and I know that I have money for all that I need, and a bit left over for some of the things that I want. It feels good to know that I’m responsible with my money, and it’s not coming from a place of fear or lack (at least for me, different things work for different people). #3 even multi-millionaires have budgets if they’re responsible with their money. It’s a good way to manage your wealth, to keep and save some money and to enjoy spending what you’ve chosen to spend.

What feels best for you to say? Even a multi-millionaire (or even a billionaire) might sometimes turn down the purchase of something because it’s not in their budget. (let’s see… I could buy a castle today, or I could use the money to maintain my private jet…)

Another alte
ative that I might use is “that’s not a priority for me right now.” And then I’m able to feel thankful for what I have, without feeling that I’m experiencing LACK.

I’m looking forward to reading your comments on this. What phrase or statement do you make when your first instinct might be to say “I can’t afford it.” I’m interested to know what works and feels right to you.

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