The idea of 'saving money' allows us to have  access to some cash that we could use in the future.

Any manner of saving money that compounds with interest and left over some period of time will certainly yield some form of return. 

Of course, the longer you leave it there, the better the results would likely be.​​

​How about the need
​to spend money?

If you have allocated enough funds for things that you have been longing to achieve for so long, then, when the time comes, you will have something that you could use to accomplish that goal. 

The idea is to spend for things in order of importance and in order to keep your daily life going. 

​That means, you should have the means to pay for any expenses necessary and that you deem important to you. ​

Note that what is important for one person, may not exactly be what applies to another.

​​Needs tend to be subjective, as individual or family circumstances vary.​
​
The emphasis is on the word need.

​AND NOT just simply wanting  to spend on something and for no valid reason. Or spending for the heck of getting what you want so that you could keep up with a lifestyle that only the ‘Joneses’ could afford.

Okay. We do not mean that we should hold off all kinds of spending. What it means is focusing exactly on things that matter. And this pertains to your basic needs plus some form of convenience that enables you to feel comfortable.  ​

​​Questions that you may ask are: 

Would I still have enough money left over after spending for important things, such as rent or mortgage, food, school expenses and utilities?

Do I have funds allocated for emergencies?

How about health care?

Am I saving up for something so that I could afford it at some point? ​

​If you  respond sincerely to these questions and you believe, you still have some funds remaining that you could use for, let’s say, some form of fun, entertainment or anything productive that boosts your confidence and self-esteem, then, the call is on you.

​Being able to afford should actually mean having funds allocated for certain needs.
​
The point is – know yourself.

​Learn to prioritize your needs and set your limits. That way you could say, you’ve been at your ‘smart best’ looking after yourself.