Triple F Focus

Last week I wore my leather jacket to work for the first time this season. This is a big deal because it's suede, and Fall weather in Wisco can be rather unfriendly to this type of material. However, I wore it because now that I'm doomed to a knee brace and crutches for at least another 5 weeks I'm upping the ante on my cute factor.

I think everyone needs a jacket like this: one that is warm and comfy and a classic style that looks great at any time and with almost any outfit. I could wear sweatpants with this particular jacket and still feel sexy. I'd look like a douche but I'd feel damn fine.

While contemplating how rockin' this jacket is and how good it makes me feel (yes, I'm unabashedly materialistic in some cases), I thought about my frame of mind when I bought it all of 6 years ago. I originally bought it as part of a high school graduation present to myself and I realized during my musing that the reasons I bought the jacket back then have set the stage for my significant decisions and investment priorities since then.

To explain: Back in '03 I received about $1200 from graduation presents and decided to make some investments in myself. First I opened a Roth IRA for $500. I wasn't able to contribute much more while I was a student, but I had a start.

Secondly, I bought a pair of good running shoes. After researching and consulting with a runner-friend, I settled on a pair of Asics that cost about $80. I had run a bit in high school for track and gymnastics, but had never sprung for a quality pair of shoes because running wasn't my main focus for fitness. After graduation, however, I knew I would need to have some committment to staying in shape. Dropping a wad of cash on a pair of shoes, at the time, was good enough motivation for me to actually use them.

And finally, I bought this leather jacket. I had seen it on sale in the store a couple of weeks earlier and had lusted after it but couldn't commit to the asking price. Then, after I had bought the shoes I stopped by to try it on again lo and behold, the price had dropped to a crazy low $40. I plunked down the cash right then and there, and it was, at the time, the most expensive item of clothing I had ever bought. I thought through the purchase and reasoned A) that it was quality B) it was very chic and classic enough to last along time and C) an investment in something that makes me feel good about myself is an investment that returns 10 times over. Every time I wear this jacket I still feel that sense of "Yeah, check me out, I'm hot!" that I got back when I was 18.

Since the end of my high school era I've gone throug the rigamorale of identity changes and maturation that happens with the whole college and real-world experience, but I've still held on to those three main investments for my sense of self and well-being. I continue to buy quality running shoes every year, max out my IRA, and continually build a classic and fun yet professional closet. I feel stronger, happier and healthier when I have a healthy bank balance, follow a good diet and excercise, and have a closet full of clothes that fit me well and make me feel good. I have no problem dropping money on investment pieces - coats, shoes, scarves and such - that will look good as long as I take care of them. These concepts; finance, fitness and fashion, have done more to shape my goals and experiences in the past 6 years than anything else. That's why I am going to focus on these three things in this blog moving forward. I hope to add to the conversation on all three of these point as I believe that they are all important factors in investing in self and creating a stronger and diversified identity.