To illustrate, I have a friend whose husband is chronic about buying non-essential, ridiculous items. He wastes thousands of dollars each year and they frequently struggle financially because of what he spends money on. To him those purchases equal "comfort." Why? Because he was denied little luxuries as a child; hence he is trying to fill a void that was created in his childhood, but has become enslaved to his desire. What feels "comforting" in the moment hangs like an albatross around his family's neck financially!

We use the word "treat" a lot in our culture. We "treat" ourselves to the movies (weekly), sweets (daily), and other miscellaneous purchases regularly. In other words we're misusing the word "treat" because the definition is "something considered a special delight or pleasure." Well, how can anything be considered special if it's a regular thing?

It always pains me to see people struggle money-wise. But I have to wonder if some of that struggle would be removed if we had fewer "treats" and less "comforts." After all, "there are two ways to be wealthy-one is the abundance of your possessions, the other is the fewness of your wants." (E. Stanley Jones) Let's not kid ourselves-debt is a form of enslavement, and it might be avoided if we trimmed our discretionary spending.

So here's an easy way to save money with very little effort. Simply cut down on your treats and comforts, and each time you don't buy something that you want to you'll take that money you would have spent and put it in an envelope marked "savings." (If you don't have cash, then write yourself a check.) Let me say that one more time, because it's very important. Whenever you deny yourself a treat or comfort item put that money into your "Savings Envelope" which will be used as a temporary holding place until you have enough to transfer to your savings account. You may have to let it accumulate for a month or two, but you'll definitely see it start to grow.

Here's a list of small purchases you can cut down on:

Eat out less
Rent movies less
Buy fewer CDs or DVDs
Buy less clothing

Blessings are still important-so don't forget to still give yourself some. This approach is more about cutting down, not cutting out. I hope this helps you to build some savings, and that it gives you a brighter financial future!