As much as it feels euphoric to spend money, I think I can argue that it feels just as euphoric to put away a good stash from every paycheque. When you see that number grow, it almost feels better than buying shoes or a camera or an iphone. It’s addicting and it’s a great addiction and I find myself anxious to put away my next stash.
I had four years of debt coming out of university and I was addicted to paying it back. It started with discipline and sacrifices of bigger purchases but then it became an addiction. I wanted to see that number shrink to nothing and then GONE. So, in eight months, I had swam up from the negatives to lovely zero. ZERO was nothing short of perfect.
I like the idea of an idealist, but I can’t help but be a realist. And the reality is, life is expensive and saving is important. You can’t front-load too much because front-loading is short term pleasure, while you screw yourself in the long run. Kind of like cheating: short term pleasure. Don’t forget the big picture. BUT on the same note, you can’t back-load too much either because then you miss out on all the fun of today and right now. Like everything else in life, find Mr. Happy Medium and his brother Balance.
(Unless of course, you’re one of the lucky ones with some sort of an inheritance or with loaded moms and dads, who pay for everything. In that case, none of this applies! Just chill and spend. I would!)
