I read Eileen's Sunday column about how former Gov. William Donald Schaefer amassed millions with interest.

It's clear that the former mayor, governor and comptroller enjoyed some perks --- eight years of free housing in the governor's mansion, for example --- that most public employees do not. And Schaefer received a pension for his public service, something many of the newest entrants into today's job market won't have.

But Eileen shows that Schaefer also made choices that worked in his financial favor. For example, he lived with his mother for years, avoiding the expenses of starting a new household early in his career. Presumably this allowed him to live below his means and to start saving early.

According to Schaefer's obituary, he also cut down on education expenses, skipping undergrad and working while he attended the University of Baltimore's law school.

His choices might not be the best option for everyone. Schaefer also never married or had children --- something else that not all would be willing to trade in their quest for financial fortune.

Compare the assumptions we can make about Schaefer's money decisions with the results from the Financial Capability Study, which shows that a fifth of Marylanders spent more than they earned, more than half lack a 'rainy day fund' and a quarter did not know how the money in their retirement accounts was invested (click the summary table link to get a .pdf with the full results).

Readers, I'm curious: what kind of sacrifices have you made throughout your life to benefit your finances? Tell us about them in the comments below.