inspiration

Honestly, and I know this probably sounds pretty trite – I’d continue doing what I’m doing.  But I’d be a lot more relaxed about life in general, that’s for sure.  How about you?  What would that kind of money mean to you?  Do you feel it’s entirely unattainable?  Some pie in the sky idea that can never happen?

Here’s the thing.  It’s all about setting priorities.  Saving money isn’t only about putting money in the bank.  It’s all about not spending it on things that aren’t important to you.  Do you really not care what kind of car you drive?  Buy something that’s been gently used and free yourself from car payments.  Does it matter where you live?  If not, why not move to somewhere where the cost of living is much lower than where you currently are.  This can save you a great deal of money in the future – and allow you to both save money in your bank accounts, and also to spend money on the things you do feel are important.

Do you like having a family vacation once a year (or more)?  Do you just enjoy travel in general and make that a priority?  Do you really enjoy meals out?  Or buying gourmet ingredients to cook meals at home?

Personally, I’m something of a coffee fiend.  My indulgence?  I actually have a subscription at Peet’s Coffee to have bags of Major Dickasons’ Blend sent to me on a semi-regular basis so that my morning coffee is just the way I like it.  I live in Canada.  That means that finding this particular coffee in my local Walmart isn’t possible the way it is for my friends in the States.  So it’s expensive (or at least, more expensive than it would be if I could just walk to my local Walmart and get it) – and there’s shipping involved.  But I do it – because that first cup of coffee is a priority to me.  There are other things I don’t spend money on in order to do this.  It’s all about priorities.

And ultimately, choosing your priorities – saving in one place so that you’re able to spend or save in another place – is how you get to that million dollars.

I recently had the pleasure of listening (and watching) Andy Storch‘s podcast on Choosing Financial Freedom with Brad Barrett – and it was quite the eye opener!  First off, The Andy Storch Show is full of interesting, inspirational and empowering information and interviews.  I highly recommend you watch or listen to his podcast every chance you get.  This one in particular though, interviewing Brad from ChooseFI (and they have communities all over the world) hit a nerve with me.  I went and joined the community almost immediately after listening.   Maybe that million dollars is closer than you think!