The Importance of Small Sacrifices

Posted by: Michael S. | Mar 05,2008


They say that Americans are no longer very good at making sacrifices.  During World War II everyone chipped in by donating metal for weaponry and other materials, shutting down the lights when necessary, and generally sacrificing creature comforts during war time.  The same cannot exactly be said today.  While people are well aware of the political ramifications of our battles overseas, our own quality of life back home has not necessarily changed all that much.  This has actually led to some criticism, as our national and personal debt has gone up astronomically right at a point when it should be reined in.  

I’m here to point out the necessity for sacrifices.  This is especially true if you’re already having problems with debt, but it is even a good idea if things are going strong.  You never know when a crisis might arise, so it’s important to be prepared with a backup savings plan.  I’m not talking about being paranoid, just some general financial preparedness which can help both those struggling with finances and those looking to avoid struggles in the future.  

It’s really about the small things: when you go out to dinner, do you necessarily need a beverage.  This is where restaurants make most of their money.  A Coke costs a restaurant almost nothing and they can charge $4 for one, if not more.  Over time, these types of expenses add up.  This is not to mention that eating out at all is incredibly expensive compared to home-cooked meals. Fast-food, though convenient, is both unhealthy and overpriced.  

Carpooling is one way to save on gas, as well as car repair payments by cutting down on the wear and tear on your car.  Wearing warmer clothes indoors can cut down on heating costs – in addition to closing doors in the house to trap heat in particular rooms.  We all know impulse buys when we see them.  Believe me, if you wait a few days you’ll no longer want to buy it.  Take this as an example: people rush out to see a movie opening weekend.  If you don’t do that and wait a few days for the hype to die down, it seems way less urgent to run out to go see the movie.  The same goes with buying something you want, but don’t necessarily need.   

Living frugally isn’t necessarily about making major changes to your lifestyle.  It can even be fun to figure out new ways to save money.  That’s right: fun.  Sacrificing in order to save money isn’t about depriving yourself of something, but about being financially responsible and having more for the future.  Click here for some calculators that will help you see where you can cut some expenses. 

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