In today’s society, the entitlement attitude is becoming more and more prevalent, and I’m sure you’ve run across a few of those individuals who exhibit this quality. This quality is also not age specific even though some might think it only applies to teenagers. I’m not trying to call out individuals and reprimand them for having such an attitude, but rather bring up the subject because I believe it’s at least partially in all of us.

Many young professionals go out and get a new car shortly after getting their first “real” job out of college. They now believe that they “can” and that they somehow deserve it because of all the years of “poverty” they experienced while in school. Think of the financial future that could be, if you could make do with a quality (and less expensive) used vehicle.

You’ve probably also all seen the young children who make a scene in the store because they want something really bad. The sad thing occurs when the parents give in because they don’t want to say no. Adults have this same problem except there isn’t anyone to tell them no; in fact, credit card companies and other lending institutions are continually prodding them to say yes.

We also fall into the trap that because “everyone else is doing it” we have to as well. Since when do you need a new big screen TV just because your friend went out and got one. Do you really need to take that Europe vacation, or is it because your friends really want you to? When so many people are living such a life, it can be easy to feel that it’s normal. Just because others are, doesn’t mean you have to live beyond your means too.

No matter at what situation you find yourself in life, you need to decide what’s most prudent for you. Don’t mortgage your future because you believe you deserve it now.

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