Watch Me Become A Millionaire

Well it certainly has been a while since I last posted! I have been busy with this thing called life, and trying to get out of my credit card debts! I am happy to say, the debts have been reduced by several thousand - I will post a Financial Milestones update shortly.

However, what I want to write about here is the concept of being frugal. It seems to me that the real key to success is, ultimately, not how much you earn but how much you keep and don’t spend. Sure, it doesn’t hurt to earn a high salary. But all too often, I see some individuals caught in a vicious cycle. They earn a substantial salary, and as a result buy pricey toys: Cars with high monthly payments, brand new stereo systems, and so forth. As the credit cards and car payments go higher, the individuals are forced to work longer hours. And what is there to show for it?

What I found to be a much wiser course, in my opinion, is to be much more frugal. As someone who used to spend over $10 or more on coffee a day, I have completely cut out this habit. What justifies me plunking down my hard earned cash for a $4 cup of coffee? The ambiance? It’s really not worth it. Besides, I can create my own ambiance by brewing my own coffee, then enjoying it knowing that I paid a fraction for that cup of what I would have paid had I gone to one of those coffee shops.

Now that I am much more conscious of my finances, I am sometimes shocked at what I used throw money away on! Since music is a hobby of mine, I recall buying the latest electronic keyboard then selling it for half price 6 months later. It wasn’t until I had lost several thousand dollars in the process that I wised up.

Still, better late than never. The journey towards financial independence requires a conscious effort. More than just financial independence, I find that living frugally helps me be more in-touch with the world around me and not just be a consumer.

So why do you want to become a millionaire? That is a question I often ask myself.  Is it for the purpose of buying fancy cars and other such toys? In my case, the resounding answer would be “NO“.  I believe that if I were to become a millionaire tomorrow, I would still drive the same economy car and attempt to save money while shopping, just as I do now.

Having read several books on the topic as well as having talked to successful people, I have determined for myself that the common theme among those who are financially independent seems to be that they are, for the most part, frugal people.

It does not take an expert researcher to figure out that we live in a consumer society. Everywhere you turn, you are being offered the latest, greatest thing to spend your hard-earned dollars on.  The question is - Do you really need it? In my case, the answer is almost always “NO!”.  I have not always been this way; I recall a time when I, too, used to spend money on things that I really did not need.  For me, the items in question were musical instruments.  I would spend $1000 to $1500 on the latest musical keyboard, only to sell it on eBay 6 months later for 1/2 or 1/3 of that price.  Where is the financial wisdom in that?

Having spoken with those who are successful, I have come to the conclusion that in order to eventually achieve financial independence, once must make every attempt to keep unnecessary expenditures to an all time low.  This does not mean you should deny yourself everything and count every penny.  What it does mean is that a more enlightened approach to understanding where one’s money goes and thereby curtailing the purchase of things we do not really need is a big step towards the ultimate goal of financial independence.

Let’s take automobiles as an example.  Some people such as myself buy an automobile to take me from point a to point b.  For others, an automobile is a status symbol - One that requires a lot more financial upkeep and maintenance.  I am not suggesting that one buy a 20 year old clunker that doesn’t even make it off fo the dealer’s lot.  However, with so many good, reliable automobiles these days selling for a very reasonable price, why would I spend thousands of dollars more? I think it is by far more impressive and wise to set aside the money that would have been spent on this more expensive car on an eventual down payment on a property instead.

I enjoy cultivating the discipline of requiring myself to be frugal and spending wisely.  It helps me understand where my money is going, even when I do not always do the right thing and do purchase an item I may not need.  Understanding my spending habits is a big step in the right direction.  Being aware of what I am spending my hard-earned dollars on is essential in my goal towards financial independence.