In a spiraling economy many Americans find themselves trying to cut costs to save. Though cutting certain spending habits can possibly save you thousands over time, there are still two costs you should never be cheap on because it will save you in the long term.
1. Food. If you find yourself either eating off the dollar menu or ramen every night in order to save some money, the reality is that it is going to cost you more in the long term.
Why are you suggesting this? The fact this that these foods hold little to no nutritional value. You may be saving today, but its likely you will potentially find yourself racking up costs in medical bills years from now. You will waste time and experience unpleasantness of the health problems once they surface – it is not worth saving some extra dollars today for.
Remember: you are what you eat. Eating a burger and plate of fries loaded with fat and cholesterol is going to drag you down over time. If you spend the extra money on fruits and vegetables, you will live a better life. You will be able to enjoy life to its fullest down the road rather than waste your time and money with doctors and pharmacists.
2. Vacation. I’m not saying that everybody should go out to some top-notch resort in the Bahamas and not worry about the cost. What I am saying is that you should not drastically cut back or completely eliminate your vacation time in order to save money.
Why are you suggesting this? It is human nature that we gain happiness through experience. This is something that can be seen when we are at the earliest ages: What excited you at 5 years old? Most kids will get instantly excited when they think about going to Hawaii, climbing a mountains, or visiting a different country. Why do we not do these dreams as adults? It may be difficult and it costs.
So think of some place you’ve always wanted to visit and don’t hesitate to go there. Plan ahead and make a budget if you feel the need to. Don’t buy an expensive dress for an event you have to go to, but rather borrow one or go to a Goodwill or Salvation Army. In doing so you will live a happier and more fulfilling life in the long term.
There is no reason why you should ever feel trapped or limited by your money – just change your thinking.