We're hearing everyday about how we've overspent and helped caused this mess. I'm currently teaching a class on the subject - but we're trying to stay positive.
The other side of spending everything you have, plus everything your kids and grand kids might have in the future - is this concept of never spending any money whatsoever.
I've know a couple of these people and we read about them from time to time. They live miserly and miserable lives and then die and leave piles of money to others who DON'T live miserly and miserable lives. So what's the point?
Yesterday's paper had an article about a man named Bruce Lindsay who ate almost all of his meals at the cafeteria at tiny Vanguard University. In the mornings he stopped by the bank for a free cup of coffee, then breakfast at the cafe where he snatched some fruit for lunch, then to the library where he read free newspapers, then back to the cafe for dinner. This routine lasted for years.
At some point the school gave him the honorary title "student advocate." His pay was - free food.
He died recently at age 79. He left many millions of dollars to the school. That's a wonderful thing.
Apparently he was a real blessing to the students while he was still alive and that's good.
But I doubt that those who administer the millions of dollars he left will live miserly and miserable lives. They will spend and invest the money in responsible ways.
Life is about balance.
No matter your current circumstances, I hope you're having fun and counting your blessings every day. And spending a little bit of money on yourself.
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