花錢容易賺錢難 精打細算十大省錢妙招
Financial happiness doesn't come easy when your money isn't right. Debt, overdrawn accounts, and too little income can drain you emotionally.
財務狀況不好時不太會有經濟上的幸福感。債務、賬戶透支以及收入太少會讓你很泄氣。
This situation is all too common. But some people have discovered how to be financially happy. What's their secret?In most cases, it's all about adopting smarter financial habits — something anyone can learn.
這種情況太常見了。但是有些人已經知道如何在經濟上找到幸福感。他們有什麼祕訣？大多數情況下與更聰明的理財習慣有關——任何人都可以學習它們。
1. They take steps to reach goals.
1. 他們想辦法實現目標。
Wanting to find your financial happiness is one thing; taking steps to achieve this is an entirely different story.
想有良好的財務狀況是一回事，採取措施實現它完全是另一回事。
Financially happy people don't wait for money to fall into their lap. They pave their own path. Here's the thing: if all you do is sit back and moan about your finances, things may never change. Identify where you need to make improvements, and then create a realistic financial plan that works for you. If you need a little help, get a financial planner.
經濟條件好的人不會等錢進口袋。他們爲自己鋪路。事情是這樣的：如果你做的只是坐着抱怨自己的財務狀況，境況可能不會改變。確定自己需要改進的地方，然後想個實際點的財務計劃。如果你需要幫助，可以去找理財規劃師。
2. They spend within a budget.
2. 他們的花費控制在預算之內。
These individuals realize that there are limits to what they can do — financially speaking. Like anyone, they would probably enjoy shopping whenever they like, going on vacations whenever they like, and spending money however they like. But this isn't the reality for most people, and financially happy people know this. They stick with a budget, which is how they avoid unnecessary debt and have enough income to pay bills.
這些人意識到他們在經濟上有限制。和別人一樣，他們可能也想隨性購物、隨性度假、隨性花錢。但這對大多數人來說不現實，而他們知道這一點。他們堅持在預算內消費，這就是他們如何避免不必要的債務以及有足夠的錢支付賬單。
3. They pay credit balances and maintain good credit.
3. 他們付卡帳並且有良好信用。
Being financially happy starts with being financially responsible. These individuals understand the dangers of credit cards and the importance of good credit. They may only use a credit card when absolutely necessary and pay off the balance each month. Their habit of timely payments and only buying what they can afford contributes to low debt and a higher credit score.
財務狀況良好始於對其負責。這些人瞭解信用卡的風險和信用良好的重要性。他們可能只在非常必要的時候用信用卡，並且每個月付清欠費。及時付款和只買付得起的東西的習慣讓他們有低債務和高信用。
4. They plan for financial misfortune.
4. 他們未雨綢繆。
It may look as if financially happy people have zero financial worries. But they know that misfortune can happen at anytime, and they take steps to protect themselves and their families against unforeseen events.
經濟狀況良好的人看起來沒有財務上的擔憂。但他們知道不幸可能隨時發生，爲了應對無法預見的事情，他們會採取措施保護自己和家人。
For example, they will have life insurance to protect their spouses and children in the event of an untimely death. And they will have set aside a cash reserve as backup in a financial crisis. Careful preparation provides peace of mind.
例如，他們擔心自己過早死亡，所以會買人壽保險保護配偶和孩子。而且他們爲金融危機留有預備金。精心準備會帶來心靈上的穩妥。
5. They don't define success by the size of their bank accounts.
5. 他們不以賬戶數額的大小界定成功。
While these individuals work hard to care for themselves and family, happiness and success isn't necessarily determined by the number of zeros in their bank accounts. They recognize the danger of basing success on a dollar amount. Financial happiness comes from knowing that they're on the right path and making responsible choices with their money.
雖然這些人爲了照顧自己和家人很努力，但幸福和成功不一定由他們銀行賬戶裏零的個數界定。他們認識到把成功建立在金錢上很危險。經濟上的幸福感來源於知道自己走得正確，並對如何花錢做出負責任的選擇。
6. They find satisfaction in what they have.
6. 他們在自己擁有的東西中找到滿足感。
Financially happy people live within their means and ignore the temptation to keep up with everybody else. Income levels vary and they realize that keeping up with the Joneses can bring more headaches than joy. They do what they can according to their income and they're content with their life — even if it means driving a regular car and living in a smaller house.
經濟上快樂的人量入爲出，能抵住和他人比較的誘惑。收入水平各不相同，而且他們意識到攀比帶來的痛苦比快樂更多。他們根據收入條件做自己想做的事而且滿意自己的生活——即使這意味着開更普通的車和住更小的房子。
7. They control impulse spending.
7. 他們能控制衝動消費。
Impulsive spending can bust budgets and drain finances. A person who's financially happy doesn't shop on a whim. They typically plan purchases and only spend if it's in the budget.
衝動消費會超出預算並花光錢。財務狀況好的人不會因一時興起購物。他們通常會想好買什麼，而且只會在預算內消費。
8. They are well-informed borrowers.
8. 他們是消息靈通的借款人。
Whether they're applying for a credit card or applying for a mortgage loan, they always compare different products and do their homework to ensure they're getting the best deal. If they don't feel comfortable with a particular offer, they're not afraid to walk away.
不管是申請信用卡還是抵押貸款，他們總會比較不同的產品，會做功課以確保他們得到的是最好的。如果他們覺得某個價格不合適，他們不怕放棄。
9. They haven't avoided retirement planning.
9. 他們不排斥退休計劃。
If you're in your 20s or early 30s, retirement planning may be the farthest thing from your mind. But if you want to be financially happy in your later years, you need to start now.
如果你現在是20多歲或30歲出頭，退休計劃可能是你最不會想到的事情。但如果你想晚年在經濟上寬裕些，現在就要開始考慮了。
Retirement planning isn't something to put off until you're in your mid-30s. The age that you start preparing dictates your quality of life in retirement. Financially happy people think long-term and they know that the decisions they make today have a major impact on their financial future.
退休計劃不是推遲到35歲左右才考慮的事。你開始準備的年齡決定了退休後的生活質量。在經濟上有幸福感的人會從長遠考慮，而且他們知道今天做出的決定對未來的財務情況有重大影響。
10. They don't give up.
10. 他們不放棄。
Even with a good financial plan, setbacks can happen. Losing your job and living off savings can wipe out everything you've stashed over the past couple of years. And unexpected bills or illnesses can delay goals, such as paying off debt and buying a home. However, a financially happy person knows that life happens and they don't quickly throw in the towel. They believe in comebacks and do whatever it takes to reach their goals.
即使有很好的財務計劃，困難也會發生。丟工作飯碗靠積蓄生活會毀了你在過去幾年積累的一切。意想不到的花銷或疾病會拖延像還債、買房之類的目標。不過他們知道生活多起伏，不會馬上認輸的。他們相信“千金散盡還復來”，會盡一切努力達成自己的目標。
