it’s not what you make, it’s what you keep

Filed Under philosophical 

Pound Coins in a RowMrs. Micah is running a post on the best personal finance practices you’ve read this year, and this is mine. In many ways it’s a restatement of the old adage to spend less than you earn (or earn more than you spend). But I think it adds a nice flavour.

However much we make, we can actively do something to keep some. And when we compare ourselves to others, we shouldn’t compare what they spend with what we make, but with what we keep. We should strive to be a case of substance over style.

They say you only live once, so make the most of it. I agree, but it’s going to be a very poor most if I pay twice as much for everything as I need to.

They say that finance is boring, but studying money just a little can help you make the most of your hard-earned cash.

They say that being a millionaire takes a long time, and it does, but if you start now, little by little, you’ll get there in the end.

They say that saving money is no fun. They are wrong being frugal with the things that aren’t important to you, leaves more money to do the things that are.

They say that life gets in the way. Without sorting out your money, how do you expect to pay for your life?

They say that understanding money is too difficult. I say with all the help you can get online even rocket finance isn’t that hard these days.

They say that you deserve to treat yourself because you’ve worked hard. And they’re right, but treating yourself needn’t be expensive.

They say that debt is inevitable. This is true only for those who have drifted into it, the rest of us are choosing to be debt-free or not.

They say that the system is working against them, but they haven’t noticed that every single person can choose to try to do something different.

It’s not what you make, it’s what you keep.

Image Pound Coins in a Row by iainr

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Comments

11 Responses to “it’s not what you make, it’s what you keep”

  1. Lynnae @ beingfrugal.net on December 21st, 2007 2:08 pm

    I love this post! :) Great job!

  2. Pinyo on December 21st, 2007 2:21 pm

    That’s one creative post packed with great tips.

  3. Patrick on December 21st, 2007 3:20 pm

    Solid top level thoughts about money and life, I think. Well done. ;)

  4. rocketc on December 21st, 2007 3:23 pm

    total link bait, but I like it. :)

  5. rocketc on December 21st, 2007 3:24 pm

    i have to leave another comment because Mrs. Micah is cleaning my clock these days as top commenter. you need to post about politics or religion so i can get back on top.

  6. plonkee on December 21st, 2007 3:42 pm

    @rocketc:
    Don’t worry, we’re bound to disagree about something posted on my blog in the new year.

  7. Aaron Stroud on December 21st, 2007 7:21 pm

    Great post, but I’d suggest appending “(and you should use cash)” to:

    They say that you deserve to treat yourself because you’ve worked hard. And they’re right, but treating yourself needn’t be expensive.

    Enjoying the fruits of our labor is very important. But it’s generally a bad idea to borrow someone else’s fruits when our labor doesn’t produce enough to pay for all of our needs.

  8. Fiscal Musings on December 24th, 2007 6:53 pm

    A little education about money will go a long way. If you’ve never been taught to keep some of what you earn, you might not ever think of it on your own.

  9. ylfoo on December 25th, 2007 5:14 am

    I believe the post is about net worth regardless the person incomes and expenses.

    I have seen high-earning professionals finding themselves in debt. While the much lower earning workers stretch their every cents to attain financial freedom.

    Nevertheless thanks for sharing your post and keep us in track of what is ahead in 2008.

  10. Llama for brains on December 26th, 2007 9:56 pm

    Good ideals. Often easy to blame the system, or a system or circumstances. But there is always opportunity to make the “Gap” larger.

    There is one thing that often gets me. I don’t mind others earning more than me. I don’t mind others spending more than me. What I do mind is others earning more than me, spending more than me and SAVING more than me too :(

  11. Instant Charge Card on July 10th, 2008 12:36 pm

    Very good advice. Managing debt is a great way to keep more in your pocket. Staying on top of instant charge card expenses and not living beyond your means will always keep your cash stash overflowing.

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