THE HA·BIT OF SAVING 301Forming the savings habit means that. to some extent at least. you
must seclude yourself from all except a well-selected group of friends
who enjoy you without elaborate entertaining on your part.
To admit you lack the courage to trim down your expenditures so
that you can save money. even if only a small amount. is the equivalent
of admitting at the same time a lack of the sort of character that leads
to success.
It has been proved. times too numerous to mention. that people
who have formed the Habit of Saving are always given preference in
positions of responsibility. Therefore. the saving of money not only
adds advantages in the nature of preferred employment and a larger
bank account. but it also increases the actual earning capacity. Any
business will prefer to employ a person who saves money regularly.
not only because that person saves money. but more because of the
characteristics possessed by such a person which make him or her more
efficient.
It should be a common practice for all businesses to require all
employees to save money. This would be a blessing to the many who
would not otherwise have the willpower to form the savings habit.
Henry Ford has gone a very long way. perhaps as far as is expedient.
to induce his employees not only to save their money but also to spend
what they do spend wisely. and to live sanely and economically. The
manager who induces their employees to form the Habit of Saving is a
practical philanthropist.
COMMENTARY
The smart course is to resolve to save a certain percentage of every check that
comes to you. This is called "paying yourself first." While 20 percent may seem
daunting, it will become easier to manage as you experience the excitement of
watching your savings grow. If your current situation absolutely will not allow you to
set aside 20 percent, select another amount, even just 5 percent. Out of every