“take care of the dimes AND the dollars will take care of themselves.” —JOHN d. rOCKEFELLER
“If you are leaning over to pick up the dimes, the dollars will be flying over you head.”
I try to live somewhere in between these two quotes. The first was told to me by my dad, and the second from someone I used to work for. My interpretation of the first quote is the basis of my SPRUGAL lifestyle; if you live your everyday life in a frugal manner, you will acquire the means to splurge on those things that are either important or meaningful to you.
The second quote is also important to make sure that you do not spend too much time chasing the small dollars at the expense of the larger dollars. A good example is the use of coupons. Coupons are certainly a great idea, but not at the expense of earning money. If you are paid by the hour and have the opportunity to work more hours instead of spending your time clipping coupons, that certainly is a better use of your time—you will make much more for your time spent working that you will saving coupons—plus your purse and kitchen will be much tidier without coupons stashed here and there.