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THE TRUTH ABOUT FRUGAL LIVING
Here's a question for you. What's the impression or image you have in your
head when you think of someone who is a "tightwad", living somewhat of a
frugal lifestyle?
Does the stereotypical image of a old, feeble minded miser, with dirty old
overalls, worn out sneakers with a fisherman cap pop up in your mind? :-)
That's ok. Stereotypes are hard to get rid of. Especially the negative
connotations sometimes associated with budget related terminology.
All to often people assume frugality and budgeting are for poor, low income
families. Only the less fortunate have to worry about these things, right?
First off, throw out all these misconceptions. Wipe them from your mind.
They no longer exist.
Instead, let's take a look at the bigger picture. The purpose and reason for
wanting to budget, conserve and lower your bills.
All That Waste
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In our society, it is very easy to get caught up in all the glamor of the rich
and famous. You know, all the fancies in life. Isn't everybody supposed to be
gorgeous, drive fancy cars, dine at the most expensive restaurants and have
beach front property to come home to everyday?
We have this image of the wealthy and all the luxuries they spend their
money on, and we sometimes try to replicate this in our own lives.
More specifically, we don't want to be seen as if we are financially challenged,
so we spend our money the way we think wealthier people do. We buy what
they buy. Go where they go. We spend our money carelessly, without
even giving a second thought about it.
It makes us feel good because we've briefly made people think that we are
wealthier that we really are. Sometimes, we even trick ourselves into
believing that we actually have more than we really do.
But in the end, we have no actual wealth.No overabundant savings account.
No well invested stocks to capitalize on. No lake front retirement cabin to
retreat to from time to time. Just our pretend life that we've been living in.
Acquiring Wealth
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So how does a person acquire wealth?
Many misinterpret the meaning of wealth. Wealth is not determined by how
much you earn, but by how much you accumulate.
Aside from inheritance (and luck), a wealthy person will generally acquire
money through many years of hard work and discipline. And at the same time,
compliment the hard work with regular saving deposits and wise financial
investments. It just isn't in their nature to spend money haphazardly because
that wouldn't be a wise investment.
Others spend all of their money on many extravagances but rarely have
anything left afterwards. Years of reckless spending leaves little to celebrate
in the end.
YOU Make The Decision
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Income has little to do with whether a person decides to budget their
money and strive for future financial goals.
In other words, you'd be surprised to know how many poor people do
NOT budget their money and how many wealthy people DO!
It all comes down to the GOALS you have for you and your family and how
devoted you are in achieving these goals.
Whether it be financial goals, career goals, retirement goals, business goals
or all of the above. Your goals answer the fundamental question: What do I
want to have (or be) in 5, 10, or 20 years? Only you can decide what will be
labeled a priority in your life.
Do you want to conserve money, lower bills, and start an investment plan?
Or do you want a new suit every month to go with pricey excursions to Vegas
ten times a year?
Would you rather spend your time learning how to invest in the stock market
or possibly start your own home business for additional income? Or would
you rather spend the money you earn on a new deluxe home entertainment
center, relax and wait for the next work day to come?
Regardless of what road you choose, choose what you feel is right for your
situation and strive for your goals. All the advice in the world can't force you
to save money and budget your finances. YOU have to WANT to reach your
goals, period.
Only when you decide that your goals are top priorities in your life will you start
implementing effective money saving strategies and begin acquiring real
wealth.
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