Make More Money versus Spend Less

I was doing a little lighter reading and picked up Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. I'll write a review of it later, but I wanted to talk about one point it brings up.

The main character is in debt and receives the advice that there are two things to do about it: Make More Money or Spend Less. I got to thinking about which camp I fall into.

Although I work a second, part time job to make more money, I definitely lean toward spend less. I scrutinize every purchase I make, I cut coupons, I make lists and lists before I go to the store. I agonize over spending money on myself. I look for ways to cut back everywhere in the budget. I turn off the A/C if it's even remotely cool, and keep the temp at 62 degrees in the house during the winter. And that's when we're there and awake - it's set to 52 when we're gone at work.

My husband is the opposite - he stands firmly in Make-More-Money land. I think part of this is because he works for himself, so time more directly translates to money.

At the end of the day, you really need both to reach your financial goals. Spending less isn't going to help if less is still more than what you bring in. And one of the biggest issues many people face is increasing lifestyle with a higher paycheck.

One or the other just isn't enough, but everybody prefers one. Which camp are you in?