Despite living in the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, it seems as if more of us are stressed out and at our wit’s end due to concerns about money.

Kind of ironic, although, due to The Great Recession, I suppose it sort of makes sense. At some level, we’re all a little afraid of losing what we’ve worked so hard to acquire.

Given the current circumstances, gaining a grasp on reality, finding your sanity, and putting your finances in order sounds like a monumental task.

By following the following three very simple to understand principles, you can be on your way to saving a ton of money over your lifetime, while coming to the realization that material possessions, while nice, might be one of the biggest stressors in your life.

1) Learn the difference between a “need” and a “want.”

Long story short, if you don’t need it you shouldn’t buy it. Take a look around your house: look at your collection of DVDs, the clothes in your closet, the junk collecting in the garage. How much of it do you use, wear, or watch on even a weekly or monthly basis?

If you grab something that’s lying around and can justify its existence only by saying, “I might use this someday,” then you, my friend, wasted your money on something you clearly did not need. Stop doing this.

2) Vow to never keep up with the Jones.

If you try to keep up with the Jones, all you will end up doing is buying crap you don’t need in an effort to impress people you probably don’t even like.

What’s the point of paying $40,000 for a car when a comparable $18,000 car will do just fine? Are you using your car as transportation or as a status symbol?

Did you pay tens of thousands of dollars to furnish your home so you can show off the three times a year you have people over? Why didn’t you spend a tenth of that on less expensive furniture and put the rest towards paying down debt, retirement, or your rainy day fund?

If people don’t want to hang out with you because you don’t have expensive stuff, do you really want them hanging out with you?

3) Live below your means.

Don’t spend money just because you can. Chances are pretty good you can not only get by, but live a fun, happy, and productive life by spending a lot less than what you bring home.

Learn to appreciate what you already have, and not only will you save a ton of money, but you’ll likely feel happier with your life and less stressed out.

I know this message is pretty simplistic, but it’s not one that needs to be complicated.

Don’t let money shouldn’t stress you out. Make good decisions, save for a rainy day, and enjoy your life.



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