Luxury can be more affordable than you think

One of the easiest way to save money is to have a goal. That’s what I tell people when they ask me how I can save so much money, and in turn, live such a life of travels and apparent luxury.

It is hard to save money when you don’t see all that money can bring you. They say money doesn’t buy happiness, and it is true. But money can buy a lot of cool things, starting with the luxury to not have to worry about money. That is a pretty amazing thing to sleep soundly every night knowing your bills are paid and you have nothing to worry about. If you aren’t convinced about that, picture your ideal life. Where are you? What are you doing? Whether you are a stay at home parent to your little ones or an adventurer exploring the world, living your perfect life is going to require money.

As you start saving, imagine the delayed reward you are getting. When I started saving for a year long trip around the world, every time I would not go out on a Saturday, I would feel at peace with my decision. Because instead of one random night in town, I could save the money and afford a full day on a beach in Thailand. Every time I didn’t shop the sales for new clothes I would barely wear, I would save enough for a diving trip. Suddenly, saving money becomes much easier.

It’s like when you are trying to lose weight. You don’t want to lose weight because you love eating celery every day. You want to lose weight so you can feel good, so you can relieve the pressure on your knees, so you can fit in your favorite pair of jeans again, so you can run behind your kids or go hiking with your friends. That is what motivates you to stay the course. The end goal.

Speaking of which, Oliver’s Travel has created a neat infographic showing you what you could get in exchange for saving a little money here and there.

You could go to Nando’s 15 times, or you could make a nice dinner at home, and enjoy a night at the Opera instead. You could go to the cinema 12 times, or watch the movies when they air on TV, and rent a Ferrari! 44 bottles of wine, or a VIP tour of the Grand Canyon in a helicopter, which would you pick?

And that is the key idea here. Luxury is expensive, but it is not impossible to afford. You simply need to make it a priority instead of spending on little things every day that don’t create the same amount of value.

So next time you say “I can’t afford it” but really want it, make a goal. Put a picture on your fridge that would remind you of what you are sacrificing to achieve. Tell your friends to hold yourself accountable. And your reward should come sooner thank you think!