It's what you keep!"?  There is so much truth in that statement.  It really comes down to spending wisely.

You need to carefully consider on what and how you spend your money.  Think about it, if you make a boatload of money and spend it poorly, you may have a lower standard of living than someone who has modest means but makes careful decisions.  I have talk about athletes and lottery winners before-- unfortunately many blow through the money and are left penniless.

You should be keeping certain ideas in mind when you are deciding what to do with your money:

• Are you saving and investing some of it?
• Do you live in a house that is right sized and right priced for your budget?
• Do you use coupons, discounts, and sales to maximize your purchasing power and keep more money in your wallet?
• Are you aware of your energy usage and do you actively manage your conservation?
• Do you take care of your basic human needs before you indulge in your wants and desires (Basic food, clothing, shelter-- then toys)?
• Are you managing your tax bill?  Are you maximizing your tax breaks?
• Do You have an emergency fund?  Liquid cash for several months of expenses?
• Are you properly insured? Life, health, disability, home, and auto?
• How is your preventive maintenance program (Health, home, and auto)?  Ar you avoiding surprises and control costs?

If you manage these things you will be rewarded, if you don't it will cost you and that's being punished!

Related posts:

• Do You Buy Features or Benefits? 
• Quality and Value 
• A Simple Approach to Purchase Decisions 
• Multi-Purpose, Residual Benefits, and By-Products 
• Buying New or Used?