First of all, I should probably confess that I am not necessarily "super rich" when compared to the high rollers in this country. However, I do just fine, and compared to the rest of the world I have much to be thankful for when I think about poverty around the globe. I don't know where I will end up financially, but I have stuck to certain habits throughout my life. In general, I wouldn't call myself cheap or even frugal. Perhaps the word "sensible" is most appropriate. Here are some strategies that I employ to build my personal wealth.
Stores, coupons and deals
I remember reading The Millionaire Next Door a few years ago. The book talked about how millionaires are not necessarily people who earn a ton of money. Rather, they live within their means, look for deals, and work hard to live a contented life. We employ some of those strategies, as we diligently clip coupons, take advantage of "kids eat free" deals at local restaurants, and rarely pay for a non-matinee movie at the theater. In addition, we hardly ever buy something in a store without checking the online price on the smart phone.
Happy with standard fare
Part of our lifestyle is being content with certain stores and restaurants. We don't eat out very often, but when we do it is at restaurants that are definitely not high end. Shopping is done at stores that are probably at the lower end of the retail scale, but we always look for quality at a good price. There is no point in getting snobby when it comes to clothes, merchandise and entertainment. Our cars are paid off, and they have fairly high mileage. How long will we keep them? There is no plan, as we will probably keep driving them until they simply cannot go anymore.
Contentment
It is probably fair to say that a lot of Americans dream of being millionaires but they not willing to sacrifice in order to get there. I wouldn't mind retiring at some point, and to do that I may need to give up nice cars, lavish vacations and a few toys around the house. This is something that I am willing to do. My family has a good life, and we get to enjoy many experiences. However, part of being "rich" in America is about being content, and recognizing when you have it pretty good.
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