What people spend on reveals priorities their words can disguise.

Spending is a more honest record than stated values, because it is made of decisions rather than intentions. Where the money goes shows what you actually reach for, what you protect, and what you avoid, including the parts you would not say aloud. It is not a moral verdict, only an accurate one.

Look at three months of your own spending as though it belonged to a stranger. Describe what that person cares about. Then decide whether the description is one you want.