Saving is definitely important. However, we are fortunate to live in a country with all opportunities for saving (as well as spending).

I just came back from Ukraine. Prices are practically the same as in the US, hard goods are more expensive, cars are double in price, average paycheck is $300/mo. Kiev is the seventh most expensive city in the world. National economy depends heavily on currency exchange rates, which are controlled artificially by the Central Bank. Housing appreciates by 100% every six months. Try saving under those conditions.

The country is filled with capable, yet disillusioned young professionals who are losing an uphill battle against the housing market. You live from day to day, saving what you can, convert what you can into dollars and euros.

In the States, as far as I’m concerned, all you have to do to save a chunk of money is what the rest of the world does anyway – NOT go out to restaurants, NOT drive if you can help it or drive a compact if you have to, NOT rely on credit.

That’s my 2c.