Ever think about how our perspectives shape our priorities?
This weekend I stumbled onto a Facebook comment section that was spiiicy. It really gave me pause, which is rare because I usually roll my eyes a lot while I mindlessly scroll.
The original post was from a woman who was venting (rightfully so) about how insanely expensive it is to feed her family healthy food. She said she wants to do better but just can't swing it financially. Totally valid, I get it. I 1000% agree healthy food has become a luxury item, which is pretty effed up when you think about it.
Then I got to the comments section and saw people lighting her up. Someone pointed out that this woman drives a high-end SUV and just got back from a big family summer vacation, so how could she possibly say she can't afford better groceries?
To me, that is a fair question. It also made me instantly think about how we all have different priorities.
Some people put their money into fancy, showy vehicles. Some spend their money on tuition for private schools or big family adventures. Some people wear designer clothes head to toe but live in a studio apartment with little more than a hot plate. Some throw it all into fitness - CrossFit memberships, boutique gym classes, Peloton subscriptions, high-end running shoes that weight less than a paperclip. Some reinvest every spare dollar into stocks or real estate (my preference), and some are all about giving back by supporting charities, nonprofits, their church, or their community.
The point is: You can't measure someone's reality by your own priority list.
That Facebook comment wasn't really wrong - it simply wasn't the whole story. Here's the thing, Guys - you don't know what that SUV represents. Maybe it was a gift. Maybe it was bought before things got tighter. Maybe it's their one splurge, and they cut corners everywhere else. People make choices based on what lights them up, and we are not entitled to understand it.
Let me tell you why this matters:
1. You stop comparing yourself to other people.
Once you realize we are all playing different playbooks, the game gets less stressful. What someone else values does not have to match your values. You don't need to want what they have or feel less than for not having it. You simply do not have the same goals or priorities. You stop chasing someone else's version of success and start investing in your own.
2. You get better at understanding people.
This is empathy 101, Y'all! If you can pause and say, "Hey, maybe they just care about different things than I do," you become much less judgy and way more emotionally intelligent. That's how you build better relationships. That's how you show up with compassion instead of criticism. That's how you really get to know someone - and it's also how you figure out their love language, which, pro tip, is a cheat code in all areas of life.
Our priorities are our own.
Brad and I do not drive dream cars. You'll often catch us rolling up to Red Rocks in our Grandma Gold Acura that's pushing 220k miles and still clunking along like she's got something to prove. That car is not a priority to us. You know what is, investing in things that grow - things that APPRECIATE. Real estate, time with our people, experiences that make memories (not just Instagram stories). We are thoughtful about where our money goes, and our choices reflect that.
Do we wear designer brands? Not unless we find them secondhand. Do we like to look good? Absolutely! However, our priority is to feel good and do good, not to flex hard.
We love hosting friends in our backyard more than dropping $300 at a steakhouse. That's real to us. That's OUR version of luxury.
If you're the type who rents a one-bedroom apartment and drives a Lambo because that's what brings you joy - good for you! I respect that. I see you, and I admire your boldness.
If you're someone who only buys the hottest "it" bag of the season (let's say, the Hermes Kelly Mini, because apparently people are mortgaging kidneys for that thing) and then eats boxed mac & cheese to make it work - no shade. I respect you, too. Because you are choosing what makes YOU feel good. That's powerful and that is living INTENTIONALLY.
TL;DR?
Your priorities don't have to look like mine. Mine don't have to look like yours. That doesn't make either of us wrong - it simply makes us different.
Thank God for that because life would be incredibly boring if we all wanted the exact same things.
If you ever catch me out and about carrying a luxury handbag, just know it's probably a knockoff from a little beach town in Mexico - and I probably bartered the price down while sipping on a Corona. But...if I ever invite you over to enjoy the mountain views from our patio and laugh for hours around the firepit, know that THAT is where we chose to spend our time, money, and energy.
However you choose to spend yours, I respect it.
And hey, if real estate investing happens to be on your priority list, you know where to find me! 
