n. austerities < ä'stęritE > : 1. The trait of great self-denial
(especially refraining from worldly pleasures); SYN: asceticism,
nonindulgence. [ETYM: French austérité, Latin austerias, from
austerus. Related to Austere.]
In a world where businesses, churches, schools, local governments,
and even nations, are embracing austerity programs, how long do you
think it will take before the wave of austerity reaches you?
Are you ready for it? Do you have a savings account, or money stuffed
in your mattress or the old cookie jar? Are all your debts paid off,
especially your credit cards? Can you live on half of what you make?
The biggest question is: Can you get your mind right? Because, after
all, austerity is a big step, requiring major changes in your thinking
and the way you live… Can you handle it?
No Luxury
- a luxury is something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity.
It could be something as simple as a bag of chips, or as complex as a
new home. 
You are going to have to do
some soul-searching in order to discover what the word
"luxury" means to you. The basic human needs are food,
clothing and shelter. After these needs are met you are going to have to
exercise your best judgment on all the rest. It's not about what you
like - its about what you really need!
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