2013 SPRING ISSUE | CHOICES 33
While Americans are borrowing more, they are saving less, too. But wouldn’ t our lives be richer and have more meaning if we practiced economic self control? Sure the new car is great, but what if we saved for it? What if we bought a one-year old car that actually was better appointed, yet saved thousands of dollars? Why do we buy new? One big reason is the terms. While we look only at the monthly payments, the final price can be overwhelming.
Everyone wants something big, something nice. Wouldn’ t it be better if we saved for it? Put a photo of that boat on your refrigerator. Cut out an ad for the diamond tennis bracelet and tape it to your bathroom mirror. Develop a plan to save for it. What if it’ s big, like a ski cabin or motorhome? Come up with a reasonable yet aggressive plan. Can you visualize it? Imagine stomping off the snow on the front deck and setting your boots to thaw in front of the fireplace. Put on your best dress and hold your arm in front of it, imagining how that bracelet would glimmer in the light.
While the idea of accomplishing a huge goal feels daunting, the analogy of the elephant is fitting. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Whether you get direct deposit to a special savings account or toss change into a coffee can, the money can build and over the years become something significant.
Forty-two years ago, when I was sixteen I saw the movie,‘ Easy Rider.’ It was a terrible movie about two drug dealing hippies who checked out and rode around the country. But forget the junk, I saw the cinematography, the bikes, riding through America, not a care in the world, and I decided that someday I would do that. Years passed, the dream faded behind a cacophony of kids, work, church and play. Get away for a big trip? Impossible. Then in 2002, I wrote it down.‘ Tour the USA.’ That’ s all it said. But I laminated it and stuck in on the dashboard of my truck, the bathroom mirror, and on my desk at work.
Fast forward to the present, and my wife and I are eighty percent through our trip, 50 states in 50 weeks. We’ re touring the USA on a motorcycle, and I can assure you it has been both rewarding and challenging. We crashed in snow last May in Denver, and spent a harrowing
night riding through the destruction of Hurricane Sandy in November. Yet what an adventure.
Wouldn’ t that new car, cabin or jewelry feel that much better when you’ ve worked for it? I can assure you that after forty-one years before achieving mine, it’ s been worth it. Don’ t give up. Visualize it. Earn it. Work for it. And some day you’ ll reap the reward.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kevin B Parsons is an entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker and motorcyclist. He’ s started and operated nine businesses and purchased one. He and his wife are touring America, riding a motorcycle with a pop-top tent trailer. He blogs every day at: http:// www. 50statesin50weeks. com
Contact him at kparsons901 @ aol. com
PICTURED ABOVE
Kevin is 80 % through his trip of traveling 50 states in 50 weeks.