I am fascinated how people do not know how to save money, how people do not know how they get into debt.  A Real Estate agent (who specializes on foreclosures) once told me that they had to assist with evicting a homeowner on Christmas Eve. The interesting and sad part was that the kids in this family has more Christmas presents under the tree than the agent remembered having in his entire life!

If you have no debt and make great money, then by all means, treat yourself to “toys”. However, if you are the average person, ask yourself – do you really need that item?

I saw a news story this week that showed people rushing out to buy $1,000 televisions to watch the Superbowl. Then what? When the Superbowl is over, they are stuck with a HUGE credit card bill.

After traveling around the world and seeing less fortunate people, I realize that Americans are the richest people in the world. We should be grateful for the following:

  • Living in this great country
  • having a roof over our heads
  • food on the table
  • the opportunity to travel to the 49 other states without a passport (counting the state live in as one), and
  • having our freedom.

As I get older, I realize that it is important to live simply, happily, continue to be debt-free, and save for my future.

Why spend $1,000 on a new television, when the two I have are perfectly fine … and I could use that money to invest in a Roth IRA?