So how does one who has rigorously saved money learn to spend it?

It helps to remember the Bible has something to say to hoarders as well as spendthrifts (about building bigger barns to save more and then realizing life is too short to spend it—Luke 12).

Our culture has similar stories. Ebenezer Scrooge was not a happy person.

I’ve also been influenced by retired friends. The other day one of them (whom I have known as a conscientious saver) bought his wife an extravagant gift. He was as bubbly about it as she.

And herein lies maybe the best motivation. Save often enough and you start to like it. Spend to make that dream happen and “desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

No, I’m not about to empty my 401K.