by Starla Ross

Created on: November 10, 2008

The other day I tried to wait patiently behind a gentleman talking to the cashier behind the counter at the gas station. Irritated with the amount of time it was taking me to pay for my gas, I started paying more attention to what the man was purchasing. With cash in hand, the customer was buying a variety of different lottery tickets for varying amounts. He explained to the clerk he had just gotten his pay check, he played the lottery every week, and he was hoping at some point he would "hit it big."

I found this discussion fascinating. As someone who is very frugal and budgets every penny I can find, I cannot imagine spending my hard-earned money on the "chance" that someday I "might" be wealthy. I also found it interesting that the amount of money the man spent on lottery tickets - $80 - was certainly much more discretionary income that I would have that week.

I think a lot of people believe it takes large amounts of money to become wealthy. They think they can't ever be financially comfortable unless they win the lottery, inherit a large sum of money, or somehow come into a large windfall of cash. The chances of the average person coincidentally coming into a large amount of cash is - well - close to zero.

There is, of course, a certain percentage of people who are born into wealthy families. But the average teenager leaves childhood, enters college, and then begins the workforce with very little savings.

The key to financial security for the average person (no matter what his or her income) is an everyday consciousness toward money - a consciousness of each and every dollar - how many dollars are earned, how many dollars are spent, and how many dollars are saved. Even one little unassuming dollar bill invested each day can grow to great proportions.

When thinking about only one dollar bill, the goal of becoming "rich" becomes much more obtainable. Each of us, no matter what our income, can always find one more way to save a dollar. We could purchase one less coffee in the morning, or buy one less fast food meal this week. We could clip and use a coupon for something we need at the grocery store, or we could turn the thermostat down a few degrees for a few hours. We might choose to combine errands to save on gas expenses, or wash one load of laundry in cold water instead of hot.

The puzzle then to growing rich one dollar at a time is really not a riddle at all. It really does come down to what we choose to do today. Just today. Today, I will spend less than I earn. I will spend wisely when I do choose to buy. Just for today, I will avoid debt. I will pay cash for everything. I will spend money only on things that will grow in value. If I do these things today - just for today - something amazing happens. Today becomes tomorrow, and I will have established good spending and saving habits for a lifetime.

Will I be rich? Maybe, maybe not. But at least I will have the satisfaction of knowing I didn't spend $80 on lottery tickets.

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