Can't Save? Try Prioritizing Your Goals

Most people, including myself, find it very hard to save money day in and day out.  It's difficult to not want that awesome iPad 2, or those oh-so-soft bath towels, or that cute pair of shoes.  If you don't take a moment to come down from that shopping high and really think about what you're doing, you will have that item paid for and on it's way to your house quicker than you can say, "Zoiks!"

Don't get me wrong.  It is okay to splurge and buy yourself or your family something...on occasion.  You should enjoy that money you work so hard for.  But hopefully these splurges are more of a planned event with saved funds and a budget, rather than an impulse buy.  I think the problem for so many is that we tend to get lost in our interpretation of 'enjoying our money'.  We have a lifestyle that we want to support, for whatever the reason, even if we can't afford it.  Or we just get lazy.  Too tired to cook tonight, so let's order pizza.  Don't want to drive to my own bank's ATM down the street, so I'll just use this one right here and pay $5 in fees.

Yes, I enjoy spending money on eating out and shopping and vacations, but I enjoy even more being able to pay my bills and mortgage on time and having a savings account that can get us out of a jam or keep us afloat if needed.  Financial security is far more desirable to me than that sexy Macbook.