Living Below Your Means To Save Money
It is not uncommon to hear about a relative, who you thought "had it all"
, file for bankruptcy to have his debts absolved. It it not uncommon to hear about a celebrity having their expensive vehicle repossessed or filing for bankruptcy because they could no longer afford to pay for their bills. It is not uncommon to hear that your next door neighbor, the one with the snazzy sports motorcycle and who has all the latest electronics, falling behind on their bills and seeking help from a debt consolidation company.
It has happened to all of us at one point or another. Some wisen up and handle their finances better while others don't ever really learn and continue their financial habits, even if they desperately need to re-evaluate how they handle their money. Perhaps one of the biggest problems people have, among being unable to consistently save a small lump sum of money every month, is not living below their means.
Living below your means is a simple concept, but it is, unfortunately, too difficult for some people to follow. A pay raise does not necessarily mean that you should move out of the apartment you are renting out now and immediately buy a home in which the mortgage is double the amount you were paying at the apartment. A pay raise does not constitute a brand new vehicle that you will be having to pay for the next 5 to 6 years. Just because you have the extra money does not mean that you should blow it all and squeeze every last bit from your paycheck.
Unfortunately, even though the vast majority of people are aware of the idea of living below their means, they will do it anyway. It's tempting to "move up the ladder" when extra money happens to come your way when that extra money should be saved aside for emergencies. That extra money can be saved for a retirement fund, a child's education, an emergency savings, or for a trip that you will take next year.
There are, however, exceptions to this rule. As long as your total expenses - the mortgage or rent, car payments, utility bills, and any other expenses you may have - is 50% of your paycheck, then yes, go and indulge in a nicer home or a new vehicle. The problem is that most people do not know when to stop and will live from paycheck to paycheck. They will get a raise and spend that money immediately.
by: Garnet Valentine
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