Our culture is slowly changing from “working for a paycheck” to “working happy.” As our society develops we’re realizing that we can have our cake and enjoy every sweet bit that it offers. Most of us understand this, but we still lack the skills to make it happen.
Over at Get Rich Slowly, J.D. is doing just that. I know it hasn’t come without a sacrifice. When he was seventeen I don’t think he would have told you that he wanted to make money by writing about investing and spending habits. But now that he has found a voice that people enjoy reading, I can see he enjoys his work. If he didn’t, I know his blog wouldn’t have the readership that it commands.
Your Financial Success Depends on Your Habits
Your success depends on your ability to regulate yourself, whether it be in the area of spending or emotions. When you can allow upsetting feelings to slide off your back, then you can bring your emotions back toward happiness. When you can spend less that you take in, you’ll save money.
When you can save more than you spend you will have the ability to put yourself on track to be successful with your finances, whether your goal may be to save enough money to retire by the time you're 50 or move to India. The thing that you are doing is putting savings above material possessions.
Make the Financial Switch
When I made the switch to saving more money than I spent, I looked at my job not as a necessity, but as an opportunity: the opportunity to create the life that I’ve always wanted.
My financial life isn’t perfect, My wife is a teacher and I work at a non-profit, so we watch every dollar that is spent, but every day gives me something greater than the day before – a little more freedom. My savings is growing and it’s putting me in position to create flexibility in my life. If my wife or I lose our jobs we won’t struggle to pay our mortgage. We have plenty of buffer to find new jobs or to create the dream job that I envision for myself.
Take a look at your budget and see what you are able to cut back on. The most famous example is the Starbucks affect, but try to go deeper and see if you can substitute generic cereal for name brand cereal or make your own birthday cards instead of buying the expensive brand. When you are aware of every item you purchase, from the Tic Tacs in the grocery store to a new pair of shoes, then you are learning to empower yourself to make better financial choices.
You’ll be surprised when you deny yourself that magazine in the check out lane and you notice that your savings account keeps climbing. You will no longer be working just to get by. You will be working to build for your future.
Unrelated Articles:
- Should Your Company Hire an Ombudsman to Rein in the Complaining?
- 5 Smurf-tastic Tips to Work Like a Great Team
- How to Relieve Back Pain after Sitting at a Desk All Day
*
Image courtesy of waɪ.tiː
Hi Karl,
There's such truth in your post. In order to save more, we do have to look at each and every purchase we make. I'm a big comparison shopper, and find I can often save quite a bit by reading the ads, and/or clipping coupons.
I cut out magazines when I realized I didn't even have time to read them. They stacked up, collecting dust, and soon, they ended up in the recycle bin. Starbucks is a real treat for me, but most of the time I can't bear to pay $4.00 for a coffee. I've gotten to where I prefer to buy whole beans, grind them, and make my own.
I've also changed out my light bulbs, to the new compact fluorescents, and in the office use the back of paper to print things I want to read. I'm much more conscientious of waste and recycling, and find I use less, buy less. It's a good feeling, knowing I'm saving money.
Barbara Swafford's last blog post..Interview With Lorelle VanFossen - Part 2 - Errors Bloggers Make
Hey Barbara,
When we can reduce our spending and save money, we are taking our future into our own hands. Nothing is ever for certain, but the odds are in our favor when we save our hard earned money.
We use fluorescent bulbs too. I love the paper idea, that's one I'm going to start using right now.
You have to find passion in your work... that's the key. 😉 Great article Karl.
Marc and Angel Hack Life's last blog post..What Everyone Should Know About Selling Hours for Dollars
Great article, Karl...I recently subscribed to your site and truly appreciate what you have to say..In my own work experience, I had made a transition from one career path to another and had some personal issues come up, which has made it somewhat financially tight. Although I love what I do for a living now, I was struggling with the idea of becoming too focused on "getting rich quick"
I still feel somewhat frustrated about my paycheck not reflecting what I'm worth as well as having to cut corners at home so that I can save money. In the end, however, I know that I already am and will be a better person for it. Great advice 🙂
Hey Marc and Angel, Passion is King.
Hey Janelle, I think most of us feel frustrated with our paychecks and any way we can cut back we are actually growing our paychecks. Not literally, but at least more of it is going into savings.
Hi there Karl - I really like your approach here. I have gone from earning an income doing things that didn't work for me, to not having enough money to financial independence (though not huge wealth or anything!)
I've seen too many people reach for huge wealth, and in the process miss the small steps they could have taken to make it a reality.
Robin's last blog post..A Magic Trick For Relationships