We have all heard experts and even well meaning friends and neighbors say, “You have to get your priorities in order.” It’s true, but it’s something few people like to hear. We like to imagine that we already have our lives prioritized, but in reality, few of us do. That’s because it’s not a one time thing. It’s a constant effort and reorganization, because priorities change from time to time.
When your kids are little, your priority might be finding creative ways to live well on one income so you can stay home with your children. As your children go off to school, your main priority may be working while they are at school and using that extra money to pay off your home sooner.
It’s really a balancing act, and it’s something that many people don’t quite understand. People may even laugh at you or say that you’re cheap, because they don’t understand your priorities. Don’t be offended if someone calls you a tightwad. Instead, realize that you must be doing things right. You’re saving money, not because you’re miserly, but because you don’t want to spend wastefully on unimportant things when that money could be used to make life better for your family in the long term.
That Happy Meal or extra toy is going to provide pleasure for a moment, but paying off your home or your car is far more rewarding. Paying off debt gives you a lot more freedom to enjoy life.
Of course, we all need to splurge occasionally, but it is important to make sure it doesn’t become a habit when you’re trying to accomplish big goals. For example, you might decide that going out for a Happy Meal or a pizza will happen only once per month, instead of one or more times per week. Your kids will still have something to look forward to, and you’ll still be able to save money, so it’s a win-win situation.
*Check back for ways to save on going out to eat.