“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” —Warren Buffett
Recently, I pulled into my local gas station. It was evening and there wasn’t much traffic inside or outside the store. In fact, I was the only one filling up.
That was, until another car came speeding around the corner and pulled up to the pump next to me. The engine of the sports car broke the quietness of the evening and was drowned out only by the squeal of his tires and eventually, the volume of the music pouring out his windows.
The driver quickly hopped out of his vehicle wearing a leather jacket and proceeded to fill his tank with premium gasoline.
It was quite a spectacular sight actually. A dark, still evening with no noise around us to speak of. Me, standing next to my white, 2005 Honda Accord. And him, right next to me, taking time to admire his brand new sports car.
We didn’t exchange any words. I don’t even recall him looking in my direction to acknowledge my existence. He was, I think, far too preoccupied with his vehicle.
I know nothing of this fellow or how he came to acquire his fancy new car. And I am passing no judgment on him. This is a story about me—not him.
Because in that moment, a surprising thought entered my head. I remember thinking (for better or worse), “You know, I could drive a car like that if I wanted. I could purchase a fancy new sports car, a leather jacket, even racing gloves if I wanted. But I choose not to.”
And it’s true. There are, I suppose, a few cars on the planet that I could not receive enough credit to acquire. But for the most part, there is nothing stopping me from driving an expensive, flashy sports car around town.
Except for maybe one thing.
The only thing stopping me from driving the same car I encountered at the gas station is I enjoy living within my means.
I like knowing I spend less than I make.
I mean, I could drive a more expensive car. I could buy a bigger house. I could take more lavish vacations or purchase more luxurious furniture. But I find a significant amount of pleasure knowing my expenses do not exceed my income.
Staying out of debt means I am not being hunted down by creditors. It means I am not carrying a financial burden from my past while also trying to provide for the present. It means I have freedom to make choices with my excess income. It means I can save if I want, give if I want, or spend if I want. Because I live within my means, I enjoy a significant level of freedom that others do not.
It allows me to sleep better, carry less stress, and live a more calm, relaxed life.
Our world works hard to convince us to outspend our means and then provides a thousand ways for us to do it—even delivering pre-approved cards of plastic directly to our front doors. And from the outside, a life built on credit may appear the life we desire—with its bright lights, bold colors, and the flashy impressions we are able to make.
But I’ll choose something different for my life. I’ll choose calm and peace and the knowledge that I have chosen responsibly. For there is a wonderful joy to be found in it.
I know there are any number of uncontrollable circumstances that may make this choice impossible for some—tragedy, medical emergencies, or unexpected career downsizing as examples. But for those who still have the choice, I don’t think you’ll ever regret spending less than you make.
Besides, I kinda like my Honda Accord.
Natasha Girard says
I don’t own a thing and nothing owns me.
I must be missing some kind of an expensive jean or did I completely misunderstand what life is?
The desire to own things is non existent, the urge to purchase zero, the need to have people compliment me on my hair is nil! Niet!!
My lack of interest may shock you but it’s taking me awhile to understand that the emptiness inside me was the exact equivalent of the amount of things I had!
Let me back up a bit. I get it, look good=feel good! But yet, what I was craving was a deep connection to my mature responsible adult self. Once I realized that big house, nice car, big money was not cutting it for me, my quest to find was did cut it began.
MY answer: feel good about me, period!!!
Minimalism took a life of it’s own.
Eating healthy, stretching, singing and dancing and caring was top priority. And LOVE, oh how I love to love. Love tasting, walking, talking, hearing, touching, writing, learning a language and an instrument. Reading, playing with children, working, traveling and so much more.
I was hooked on being. My simple, basic, authentic self. Nothing more.
Now my compliments are about my kindness and my selflessness.
Ahhhh, what a wonderful world we live in. I don’t NEED to do anything.
I do what I WANT to do,
simpleness.
Sent from my iPhone
Amy says
Congratulations on being the only reoccurring email that I actually get excited to see in my inbox! I am constantly forwarding your articles to friends and family. Keep up the awesome articles! It keeps me on track; always re-thinking what truly matters.
Aleisha says
The first paragraphs definitely sounded like you were passing judgement… the way you painted the whole picture. One of my main beefs with many minimalism writings I read.
Amy says
Wow! It’s always nice to read a great article and then find a comment from Debbie Downer. There’s one in every crowd…
Yahel Tejada says
Excellent Post. thank you.. Keep it up please
Tiffany says
This was a great post! Thank you for this. Please continue to blog.
Cyndy Dowling says
Loved this!
Greg @ fitnessandfueling.com says
Great article. Living within your means has a trickle effect on your life. Helps live a simpler life which can help increase your overall health. I know it has helped me.
Saga says
So very true. It gives me such peace of mind to know that I now (since 1/2 a year ago) don’t have any debt at all, and if I have unexpected expenses, like dental work or the washing machine going on strike, it is not something to panic about. Because I have the means to pay for it.
Judy T says
My in laws lived their whole life in a simple, small house, being generous at church but frugal with their own purchases. I remember my mother in law explaining it by saying, ” Well, you can only sleep in one bed, and eat at one table.” So true, no matter how many beds or tables you may own! They have both passed on now, and much to our shock, left a small fortune to their children we never dreamed they had. They have taken any future stress about retirement away from us by eating at one table, and sleeping in one bed! A great legacy for us.
emmaline says
a good article, though some people have no option but to live by ”lesser means” some do it well and some not so well.
I am happy to see that most posters are also like me waging a war on our debt so its easier to live simply