Temporary sacrifices can make a BIG difference in the long term. I’ve seen this before for people paying off debt like student loans, mortgages, etc. Putting down even an extra $100 a month or even here and there can save you thousands of dollars in interest in the long run.

This can also be beneficial if saving money for emergency fund, to buy a car, or for a down payment on the house. The more money you have saved, the less you have to borrow (or hopefully you don’t have to borrow any at all)! Dave Ramsey is a BIG financial person, and while some people completely swear by his methods, other people think it couldn’t be further from the truth. While I may not agree with everything he says (although he has some very valid points!), I do agree that sometimes sacrifices are necessary. That may look like skipping going out to see a movie, going out to eat, buying unnecessary shoes/clothing, etc. I love getting food out (I mean who doesn’t?), but it can be a BIG expense. I also love buying clothes for my daughter, but she doesn’t NEED a ton of clothes, especially because she’s growing like crazy and won’t be in one size for more than a few months.

Sacrifices look different for every family and may be easier for some families than others. If you make a decent amount of money, but don’t know where it’s going every month – make a budget and check in regularly with it and your family.

My family is (attempting) to make sacrifices currently to save money for a down payment (see my last post) and to buy a “new to us” car, as mine has decided to spring a coolant leak that cannot be easily fixed. We’re grateful we had a “backup” vehicle (which is an expense by itself – for some that may not be worth it). It will take time, but we’re doing our best to remind each other what our goal is at the end of the day.

Sacrifices are just that…. sacrifices. BUT temporary discomfort can pay off in the end. Keep that in mind when making decisions about where your money is going. Maybe cut your eating out to 2-3 times a month and take the leftover money and put it towards your debts or savings.