I have found my people!
I call it a Spending Plan. Sounds much more exciting to those who like to spend. And then they see it's got things like..taxes! And health insurance/FSA set-asides! And car maintenance! And car registration! And higher heating bills in the winter!
With a couple of line items like spending money, food, and Costco.
Then, maybe, it's not so exciting.
I started in 1993 by saving $25 per month. I'm now saving $1500+ per month. I do so because I may not be able to work until 62, as originally planned, due to a partial disability. So the urgency is real to me, although not to lots of others who see me and think "sprightly" and "energetic."
I have several friends and family members who live paycheck to paycheck, spend it all on eating out and mall trips and a $50K Mercedes convertible that now sits in the garage after 2 accidents...and they are mad at us because we're "flaunting our wealth" by taking a vacation to the Caribbean. As one friend jokingly put it..."You're spending money that we don't have!"
But we have it to travel because THAT'S our focus! That's what we strive for! No one seems to notice what we DON'T do to achieve what we WANT to do.
Sandi