But I Want It NOW!

Can you deny yourself something NOW 

in order to better yourself in the long run?

Sacrificing temporal pleasure for long term satisfaction is not an easy thing to do. Actually, denying instant gratification for future betterment is a very mature thing to do. Have you ever told a 2 year old that he or she was going to have to wait for dessert until after dinner? Talk about water works & sirens. Most children don’t know how to deny themselves the sugary dessert in order to eat the healthy stuff first, everything in them screams, “But I want it NOW!”

 

If we were to be honest, most adults act like 2 year olds when it comes to money, buying, & saving. Financially speaking, most Americans want their dessert before their dinner. Matter of fact, most debt begins to accumulate when you are not willing to deny yourself something that you want NOW!

America is notorious for its fast paced living, microwave culture, & drive-thru life-style. If you were to tell the average American he couldn’t afford something right now the answer would be the almighty ‘credit card.’ Do you realize that the average American carries 4 credit cards, the average household has a debt of at least $6,500, 1 in 50 households have over $20,000 in credit card debt, & the number 2 reason for bankruptcy in America is credit card debt! Rather than working extra hours, waiting a couple more months, & saving up the money for the thing you want, you are willing to take out a loan, borrow money from someone, & jeopardize your financial freedom in order to get that thing NOW.

We have perpetuated a culture of debt 

by perpetuating a culture of NOW.

Solomon, in his great wisdom counseled, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest,” (Proverbs 6:6-8). Isn’t it crazy that ants know how to deny instant gratification & save in order for them to have food during the winter? Yet, humans who are extremely more intelligent don’t seem to think or care enough about what is going to happen when they hit the winter seasons of their lives to save & deny instant gratification.

If something is truly worth having now it will be worth having in 2 months, 6 months, or a year. If you were to be real, most things you want now you don’t really need. Consider the ant, begin to store up your provisions, gather your food in the harvest, & stop perpetuating a culture of debt. Temporary pleasure comes with far too high a price tag; it’s time to have term vision for your finances & your future.

Let’s Do This Together

How much credit have you used in order to get something you wanted NOW? Where have you allowed our culture to persuade you to give into instant gratification?

Finance Fridays #4