Ja Das Ist Mein Auto. Nein Geht Es Klip-Klop Nicht!

I grew up in Berks County, part of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Long inhabited by the Amish who are actually Germans, the area is filled up with family farms where the men still tend the land, the women bake from scratch, and most families get around by horse-drawn buggies. They are a quiet and thrifty group of people, but they possess one terrific trait that all Americans should have: a sharp mind for saving. This would rescue us all from our rising debts.

Let me start off by saying, “Spending, by itself, is not a good or bad thing… it’s all in the values we attach to our spending, and how intentionally we do it.” Sure, we all like to waste money from time to time, but for some people it becomes an obsession. Not the Amish —they only buy things they really need, and to them the act of spending money is not the important part of shopping. Whether you are old enough to know better, or young enough to still listen, the following tips should have you going “Dutch” in no time.

Für die Junge Dumkopft: don’t blow your paychecks on unnecessary things. This can set off bad spending habits that are harder to get rid of than you might think. You might have more money than your friends with families now, but once you have similar commitments, you will still be stuck with those same bad spending habits. Das ist nicht so gut!

Ve get too soon oldt, und too late schmart! If you already have a habit of overspending, the best strategy for getting better is to learn exactly what you spend your money on each week. Keep a detailed record of everything you buy and pay for in a single week – from your regular bills to the newspaper and coffee you buy every day. With this, try and identify any patterns or bad-spending habits that you seem to have. Und gibt sie auf!

Short hair is quickly brushed. Cut up those pesky credit cards and adopt some new habits that will ensure you don’t get back into debt. If you find you have extra money left after paying the bills, put it into a savings account and build up a cushion to protect yourself from any sudden bills or needs that might arise. Remember: clean doesn’t wear off!

With the nation’s current interest in restoring its sagging economy, much can be learned from studying the Amish. Their ability to shun excessive spending and their strong work ethic are great examples of what our society should be following.

Remember this: when it comes to your personal finances, “You gotta watch out!”