Thursday, Mar. 04, 2010

Focus your financial vision far off

It’s one of those things that isn’t easy during the process but is well worth it when it’s all said and done.

Saving money can really suck.

I am of a generation where faster is always better and if I really want it, I’ll make a way to get it. Instant gratification is the time frame of choice, and sacrifice is to be avoided at all costs.

In my younger college days, however, I wasn’t like other students who got as many credit cards as they could and lived life to the fullest with no regard for fiscal responsibility. I also wasn’t the one to pack my lunch every day to save $5.

Now, as a military spouse with a family, my priorities have changed, and I realize that $5 a day is just another way of saying $25 a week or even $100 a month. What has not changed is my appetite — I still desire pretty much the same amount of “stuff” I wanted before, but now the big picture is what disciplines me.

I believe that overspenders and the financially irresponsible suffer from myopia, better known as nearsightedness. They are only able to focus on what is directly in front of them, and objects that are far away appear blurred.

For example, when these people decide they want something that doesn’t fit into their everyday budget, they typically opt to swipe their credit card right away, forgoing the option of waiting until they save the money for it first. The item will likely be there later, but it feels so much better to have it now.

Nearsightedness can be a problem in everyday life, so most people take steps, like wearing glasses, to correct it. Much the same, not being able to see past your immediate desires to the needs of your future is a problem, and now is the time to take steps toward correcting that mindset.

Military Saves Week encourages Soldiers and their families to create a solid financial foundation for the future by saving money now. This requires sacrifice, but the ends will be well worth the means. With a bit of discipline and a focused vision, financial responsibility can be a reality for you.

It doesn’t have to mean doing away with all of the things you enjoy. You simply have to find a balance between your now and your later. Even if it’s only $10 a month, the key is starting somewhere.

Why not start today?