In The Millionaire Next Door, Thomas Stanley wrote about "big hat, no cattle" people, who act as if they have a lot of money but really do not.  The Bible also makes a similar reference. Proverbs 13:7 reads, "One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(NIV)".

 

In our society today, there is a great amount of pressure to "keep up with the Joneses".  We buy things on credit to impress people, especially when someone else that we know has purchased a similar item. 

 

However, if we want to grow rich, one way is to become a diligent saver by living beneath our means and carving out a portion of each paycheck for savings.  A small amount of money, compounded over a long period of time, will grow into amazing multiples of the original amount saved.

 

Instead of pretending to be something that we're not, let's start to do things that really help us to grow wealthy. Start a regular savings program, preferably with pre-tax money, and see your savings multiply.  If your company matches your 401(k) contributions, your money will grow even faster.