Here at SaverDaily, we love to praise the idea of saving money. It’s usually a wise thing to do. It often results in a better and happier financial future for people and their families.
However, there are times when people can take saving money too far. For the purposes of this article, we will call them “silly savers.” Being a smart saver can improve one’s health and relationships, while being a silly saver can damage them. So let’s talk about what it means to be a silly saver.
What Is a Silly Saver?
A silly saver is someone who develops an obsessive habit of saving money. They associate bad feelings with the idea of spending money, so they try to spend as little of it as possible. A silly saver often feels content with their own lifestyle, but their habits tend to hurt the others around them.
It might be burning hot in the house, but this person will not want to turn the air conditioning on to save a few dollars. They may not buy premium health foods in the grocery store due to the added expense. They will fill a car with too many people in order to avoid having to take two cars. Their significant other will ask for a vacation and they will refuse, even though they can clearly afford it. Nights out to dinner will be few and far between.
It’s easy to see how this kind of behavior can harm relationships. It’s taking a good thing too far. Some would argue that being too cheap can even cheapen you as a person.
What is a Smart Saver?
A smart saver is someone that prioritizes saving money, but not at the expense of those around them. If everyone in the house is boiling hot and uncomfortable, they won’t hesitate to turn the air conditioning on. But that doesn’t mean they won’t look for every possible opportunity to find deals online, or plan for retirement.
A smart saver remembers why they are saving money in the first place. To live a better lifestyle over the long term, and make sure they always have the funds for a rainy day. They aren’t saving money just because it feels uncomfortable to spend. They’re making a wise lifestyle choice.
They realize that sometimes, spending money will be uncomfortable, but the value from what they’re buying means more than the money itself. Buying a hybrid car might cost a lot up front, but they can save you more in the long term while protecting the environment.
Smart savers realize that going on a vacation is not a required expense, but the stress relief and happiness to their family is more than worth it. They still budget their vacation so that the costs are not too high.
Conclusion
Saving money is a great thing. It brings peace of mind, financial freedom, security, and the ability to enjoy a nice retirement. But just like anything, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. When you’re looking to save money, make sure you’re saving smart and not saving silly. Moderation is key.
