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5.
Living your dreams.
Everyone has goals and, aside from those that involve
being a wonderful person, many of them take money. Whether
it's homeownership, a big wedding, a trip around the
world or a cabin at the lake, setting goals and working
to achieve them is a mark of happy and successful people. What's
more, the lifestyle and things you have to give up to
make those dreams come true are often insignificant
and forgettable.
6.
Let your freedom -- and independence -- ring.
When is "the American way" not? Right now. The U.S. savings rate -- tracked by the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis -- is currently a negative number, at least in government terms. Yes, it's official: Americans today spend more than they earn. Savings are less than zero. But you can break out of that mold all on your own and reap the benefits of feeling free and independent. "Living within our means is one of the hardest things to teach," says Harris. But that doesn't mean one can't beat the odds and be a saver.
7.
Answering opportunity's knock.
We all envy those who are "in the right place at
the right time." If you could build up your savings
you'd be in the right place, just waiting for that knock
on the door. There are times in life when it may be
advantageous to part with some extra money to take a
chance on something big. Say a friend is starting a
new business and is looking for investors.
"For $5,000 you could be part of
that and change your life. There are any number of folks
who have had their lives changed because an opportunity
came along where they had some funds and were able to
put money into it," Harris says. Since opportunities
often arise quickly, only a saver will have the freedom
to seriously consider them.
8.
Building real character.
In Harris's 20-plus-year career, he has observed that
those who learn enough discipline to leave saved money
alone -- rather than giving in to another spending temptation
-- are able to grow and mature. That kind of discipline
teaches self-respect and earns the respect of others.
It shows you can maintain control of your own life and
avoid emotional decision making. Buoyed by that success,
it encourages further goal setting and the knowledge
that you can accomplish what you strive for. And it's
not just about you -- about getting what you need and
want -- it can also be about opportunities to give of
yourself. When a family member or friend is in dire
straights, savers may be able to help the loved one
financially, Harris says. "That really helps you
as a person, to realize you've been able to make a difference
in a person's life."
9.
It just plain feels good
Most savers see the long-term rewards as worthwhile
-- and not just financially. "The more you put
away, the more you want to put away," D'Arruda
says. "You start feeling good, and you get a better
feeling of self-worth when you're saving."
Self-sufficiency can be seen as patriotic,
too -- when you can take care of yourself, society won't
have to.
And since money (generally a lack of)
is a major source of relationship problems, having savings
can help alleviate stress and make relationships more
fulfilling, says April Masini, the voice of AskApril.com,
an online dating and relationship magazine. "Those
with savings also tend to be a little more open-minded."
Melissa Ezarik is a Connecticut-based freelance writer.
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