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 .