Staying the Course

[eltigreblanco]

A lot of articles have been written about getting out of the paycheck-to-paycheck, debt-ridden, spend more than you make lifestyle. While I admit that it's important to help people get back in control of their finances, I sometimes feel that the most difficult thing is not getting started, but staying on course, financially, over the long haul

Comments

[eltigreblanco]

I wish you did, too. However, even prayer requires steadfast endurance.

[stefwithnf]

Matt and I have the same problem. We don't necessarily carry a lot of debt, but we have more than we are comfortable with, which is why I am rejoining the workforce. Instead of my savings account going up every month, I see it go down by $300 every month. Not buying the big ticket items like cars and remodels and various other toys is fine, but keeping the daily/weekly spending under control is tough, and that is what kills the monthly budget in the long run. With whatever income I bring in, we can double up on those pesky bills, and rebuild the savings accounts

[eltigreblanco]

I like your ideas. Not sure how that would apply to my situation, but sounds like a good tool for savings.
I don't have a problem with delayed gratification, per se. I put a significant amount of money away in various types of savings every month, and still have plenty to pay bills and support our small vices, plus give generously to charity.
I've paid cash out of savings for a couple of nice motorcycles and paid cash for my daughter's wedding last year, can pay for our European vacation if we ever get a chance to take it, etc. It's just tough to keep doing that over the span of decades when all around me instant gratification is the overwhelming soundtrack, ya know?
Of course, having been through the whole crash of a company with SCP, I'm a bit insecure about conspicuously inflating my lifestyle by financing things. I'm still in a position where we can live on one income if we have to, and I kinda like that.