Simple living is high thinking

Advertisers play on the psyche of most Americans who believe they are entitled to have everything now. Discipline is becoming a thing of the past. Many are unwilling to understand the difference between a want and a need.
This just proves how well the advertising media are doing their job.
YOU watch a fantastic ad (on whatever), YOU want what they show that 'YOU' can have if YOU spend the $$$ for their product. Now, YOU will be successful, popular, beautiful, sexy, etc, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah...........
Do you not understand that YOU are NOT those products ... they only want YOUR $$$ by selling YOU "snake-oil" instant-whatever-success.
These products do not make YOU ... they just make "THEM" richer.
Richness comes from within ... not YOU spending your hard earned $$$ to line their pockets.

Things do not make the person. If you over spend all it makes you is depressed. The person with the fancy car does not give him personality - he is still lonely. The woman who buys expensive clothing does not make her prettier - it just makes her in debt. I buy expensive clothes on sale; I drive a nice car, but not out of my price range. I refuse to allow debt to control me. I control my money and my spending. Get a grip on your life and you will be so much happier. Things will never make you happier.

I use what I call creative financing, always look for bargains, and keep what I own for many years and keep everything in good shape. It is also important to look for items that retain value.

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You have to be able to suck up your 'pride' and LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS for a while...maybe years before you can find just the right 'deals' and actually have the money to take advantage of those deals. Too many of us do not know how to save up for things. We spend all of the money we make & buy more on credit. If you do this, you will NEVER get ahead or have the cash available to take advantage of deals when they show up.

Many millionaires were once broke. But, they had self-discipline, could live well below their means for long enough to save up for a share in a business, a home to flip, or whatever venture finally got them to their current high-level of income.

Make a budget. Allocate 10% to savings first. When you are done, you probably need to add another 10% to account for unexpected expenses. If your income exceeds expenses, you are fine. If not, start cutting from the bottom of your priorities, or find a way to increase your income. The numbers do not lie. Ignoring reality only digs you a deeper hole that will take longer to get out of.

Let’s get smarter about how we spend our money.