Money Matters

My brother recently remarked, "Do you know what's worse than living above your means? It's living under your means."

... I happen to agree with him.

Think about it. Do a few pesos really matter in the big picture? Do you really have to stifle your urge for something you have coveted for a long time just because the vendor refuses to give it to you for 50 bucks and wanted 55 bucks instead? Do you have to eat icky fast food everyday and risk health problems just to save a few bucks per day? Are you so destitute that you have to give up your love of reading or pampering yourself in a spa once every other month just because these are luxury items that you can live without? I consider these folks slaves of money. They are so consumed by their desire to "save money" that they have simply forgotten how to enjoy life's simple pleasures.

On the other hand, I also feel sorry for those people who are ruled by the $$$ they see. They have to have stuff that are bigger, better and more expensive, no matter how unnecessary or how costly it is. These folks are ruled by their money as well.

At the end of the day, there has to be a balance between the quality of the life and the means to achieve it. You do have to be reasonable in terms of how you achieve quality, but quality of life should never be sacrificed just because you're paranoid about spending a few additional bucks. After all, at the end of the day, do you prefer living a full, complete and happy life or end up regretting that you have consistently let opportunities pass, in the name of "saving money for the future?"