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The following post is by MPFJ staff writer, Greg Johnson. Greg is a proud husband, father, and debt crusader who is in the process of becoming debt free. Along with his wife, Greg co-founded the personal finance blog, Club Thrifty, where they encourage readers to “Stop Spending. Start Living.”
A few years ago, I read a great book called, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Recently, Hollywood released a film adaptation. Although I have yet to see it, my friends tell me that it is a pretty good movie. The plot is essentially a coming of age story about an introverted boy named Charlie. The book follows several different events throughout Charlie’s life as he slowly learns to be less of a wallflower and begins to participate in life.
As I look back on the story, I see some parallels with the journey that I took when becoming a saver.
I used to wonder how people were able to afford the things that they had. I always thought that those who had nice things certainly had to have a lot of money. I realize now that some people actually can’t afford their lifestyle, using credit to build their castle full of belongings on a foundation of sand. Rather than follow my companions further down the road of debt, I have chosen to go the route of the savers – using solid savings techniques to enjoy my life to the fullest, both now and (I hope) in the future. I’ve found that I am now able to have the quality of life that I want simply by capitalizing on some of these perks of being a saver.
Security
I’m sure that you know someone who panics every time the tiniest financial hiccup interrupts their life. You know, that person whose financial world is in shambles the second that an unexpected expense pops up?
I used to be that person. The reason people panic isn’t because the hiccup is overly expensive. It is because they haven’t planned for anything to go wrong. Getting a flat tire shouldn’t cause somebody’s finances to spiral into a tail spin. However, if you haven’t saved enough money in an emergency fund, you don’t have that security to fall back on.
It took me some time to learn this lesson. Now that I have, my life is filled with a lot less stress. I rarely have to worry about something breaking. If it does, I simply get it fixed. I can do this because I finally learned how to save.
Do the Things You REALLY Want to Do
For years, I spent money frivolously on sports jerseys, music, movies, and nights out on the town. However, I never had enough money to actually do some of the really cool stuff that my friends were able to do. I was never able to go to a major Spring Break destination. I didn’t go and see any concerts. Why? I didn’t understand how to save my money.
Over the years, I’ve finally figured out what I really enjoy doing. Now that I’m a saver, I actually have the money to do them. Sure, I could go out to eat four nights a week, but I’d rather save my money so that I can travel. Being a saver has allowed me to take some really fun vacations with my family, and I can do it multiple times a year now. I can go and watch my favorite bands play live in concert. I can take my wife on a Mediterranean cruise if I wish. My new mindset has allowed me to do the things that I truly find enjoyable in life.
Flexibility
Saving money gives you a lot more flexibility in your life. Being a saver may mean that you are eventually able to open your own business. Don’t feel like being an entrepreneur? Cool. Maybe you can retire early. Perhaps you can eventually take a job that you find enjoyable for less money than you are making now. Maybe you would like to pack up all of your belongings and move to Belize. Being a saver gives you all of these options…and more.
For me, making the choice to become a saver really changed the way that I look at life. Like Charlie, I am now actually participating in life the way that I want to, instead of just being a spectator. I hope that you might make even a small change and begin saving money today. Find out what the perks of being a saver can mean to you!
How about you all? Are you a saver? If so, what has becoming a saver meant to the quality of your life?
Share your experiences by commenting below!
***Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/alancleaver/4279482716/
