Somewhere recently I came across a quote that went something like this:
Never sacrifice what you want most for what you want right now.
This really resonated with me, as I think it can be applied to just about anything in life… money, exercise, diet, personal relationships, jobs, etc. We all have things that are on our list of what we want most. But we often let what we want now get in the way. For myself, my own list of what I want most looks something like this (in no particular order):
- To always have a strong relationship with my husband and son and with our extended family and friends
- To still be active and healthy when I’m 100
- To own our home free and clear as soon as possible
- To be able to weather whatever financial storms life might send our way
Since these are my priorities, I try to make them a part of my life every day. I spend time with my husband and son, and make sure that I keep in close contact with the rest of my family and friends. I exercise every day, and make sure that pretty much every bite of food that passes my lips is increasing my chances of reaching that 100 year mark. We put extra money towards our mortgage every month. We set aside a good chunk of our income each month into various savings accounts, continuing to keep our lifestyle pretty much the way it was when we were earning very little money. By doing these things, we’re keeping our focus on what we want most, rather than on what we might want at the moment.
Over the years, I’ve found that focusing on what we want most has become a habit. So much so that what we want right now and what we want most are almost always the same thing. I derive much more satisfaction from sending extra money towards our mortgage than I would from spending that money on a pair of shoes, for example. And I much prefer an apple to a piece of cake – seriously! (that took a while… I used to have a raging sweet tooth)
The thing I love most about the little piece of wisdom at the top of the post is how it applies to anyone, no matter how different our goals might be. One person’s strongest wish might be to become president of her company, while another person’s greatest desire might be to climb Mount Everest. It doesn’t matter what we want… what matters is that we each know what we want, and focus on it, without letting day to day distractions and fleeting desires get in the way.
I found this quote inspiring, and I hope some of you do too. If it inspires you to write down the things that you want most, and figure out strategies for getting them, even better!
Random Thoughts of a Jersey Mom says
I agree with the quote. I’ve been trying to teach my children that they should not waste their allowance money on toys that they see and want at the moment; I remind them that they are saving up for another toy that cost much more. If they spend all of their money now, they’ll never save up enough to buy what they really want.
Kyle @ Rather-Be-Shopping says
My wife and I are currently in the process of buying our first home. I don’t think we ever would have been able to save the 20% down payment if we gave into our daily “wants” instead of focusing on the long term goal of home ownership. Excellent quote!
Kelly says
This is really good. I am going to write this out and tape it around the house, in the car, on my wallet! Thanks for the great quote! As always, you have very profound wisdom :)
Simple in France says
It sounds like a great way to think about all kinds of choices. I think that over time, my husband and I have managed to get there as well, and it certainly does allow you to be happier about frugal decisions.
schizm42 says
I came across this on the colbert report:
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
It talks about the over-consumerism of America.
I know that posting it here is like preaching to the choir =0) its certainly worth a watch.
(maybe someone already posted it)
Molly On Money says
I’m reading this while sitting in the living room with my family. I finished your blog and turned to my kids (both tweens) and asked them if they could think of something that stands in their way of something they want most in life. My youngest said she wants to graduate from the 5th grade this year but doesn’t want to go to school (she hates her teacher this year). My other child wants to eat breakfast this morning but doesn’t want to get up and make it!
I muddled through my young adult life not recognizing how my impulsive ‘need it now’ decisions kept a huge gap to what I really wanted in life.
Thanks for reminding us.
Shopping Golightly says
I had the same conversation with my 13-year-old daughter last Sunday. Determining her values versus luxuries. Good to spend and live to your values with occasional slips to a planned or simple luxury.
Most people do the converse and wonder why they don’t feel fulfilled.
The joy in luxury is short lived, it’s like crack cocaine and you run back for another fix.
Where a value, can carry one through life. At 13, I’m not certain how much of this sunk in but I intend to keep up this discussion because conventional retail has it’s talon’s upon her, trying to establish her spending habits now. Yikes!
Kay says
>Never sacrifice what you want most for what you want right now.
I’m going to write in a paper and put it where I am often. thanks for sharing that!
Gregorius says
Thanks for the inspiration!
I have put it on my screensaver and on the pouch of my debit card.
As one of the things I want most is losing a little volume, it helped me not to eat cookies at work, although I really wanted them that moment.
Katie says
Great, great, GREAT post! So glad I stumbled upon it — we’re working soo hard to reach some of our own long-term goals, and it IS hard to not get side-tracked by the daily “I think I needs”. Another quote I love? “Live like no one else so that someday you can live like no one else.”
Meg says
One of my favorite qutoes: “Buy used, wear it out, make with do, or do without.”