Saving, and standing still

I know how to be careful with money. That part was never the problem.

The problem is that careful feels identical to wise, right up until it isn’t.

I have watched capable people stay in the same role for five years because every year the safe choice was available, and it was cheap.

Nothing went wrong. That is what makes it hard to see.

The things that changed what I am able to do — a course, a language, someone who knew more than me and charged for knowing it — all cost money I could have kept.

I have stopped filing that under spending. The savings account keeps its number. The other thing compounds.

Though I notice I still have to talk myself into it every time.