Are you saving for a rainy day? Do you even know what that concept means? We, of a certain age, do understand the meaning and, undoubtedly, practice it. But at what point is your saving completed? Have you ever consider this question? When is it OK to begin spending, at least some, of the rainy day savings? And does the… fear of running out of the savings stop us from the spending?
While it really is imperative that we be sensible and wise in our spending habits, especially in this economy, when is it ‘sufficient’? Savings really is an excellent habit to be conscious of and this does apply to more than just money – in time, energy, diet, etc. I think it was Julia Childs that said, paraphrased, moderation in all things…. including moderation.
If we scale back or cease saving then we need to consider the other side of the coin – the spending. How, and on what, will you spend – again, your time, energy, money, etc.? Are you/will you spend your accumulation on those things that are important to you? Will you simply ‘blow it’? When you look back on your ‘spending’ will you be pleased?
While you should remember that simply because you have the resources, it doesn’t mean you need spend them. However, you also need to know the who/what/why of the savings and how they should be spent. And… a little frivolity occasionally never hurt anyone. There’s always a balance, an equilibrium between apparent opposites. Quality of life typically is the decision maker.
