The Future

So, financially, February has started with quite a bang.  I've been well under budget in my entertainment and grocery categories, I've picked up an extra babysitting job (more later on my side gigs), tax preparation cost less than thought, and I've been randomly finding $1 and $5 bills on the streets.  I feel proud and more in control of my financial destiny than usual.

February has been significant in another way, as well.  My beloved C. and I have been moving away from speaking about the future in conditional, hypothetical terms.  We're discussing and planning for concrete future events, such as buying "our" first house and putting "our" children through college. (gulp!)  Our weekends consist in large part of hunting for our first place together and browsing online through endless pages of plates, furniture and duvet covers.

I worry about continuing the financial momentum and strides that I've made these first two months.  But it's these sweet conversations with C. that help me keep things in perspective.  Turning down a lavish restaurant meal or walking straight past a rack of new clothes may feel like sacrifices in the short-term, but intense, focused saving and debt reduction will greatly improve our financial picture for the long-term.

Your Turn: What keeps you motivated to save and spend your money wisely?  How do you achieve a balance between satisfying the things you want and need now, and preparing for your future?