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I am extremely frugal. I can pinch a penny until it screams and I know the cheapest way to do practically anything.
I live a very good life. I have a beautiful house, my family eats top of the line gourmet food, I have traveled extensively. I see all the new movies and read all the books that interest me. I have an expensive hobby that I enjoy (showing dogs). And I do it all for a lot less than other people are paying to have the same lifestyle
So, I don't know what you mean by "how do I even enjoy life?".
Every time I spend money, I ask myself (consciously or subconsciously, usually the latter): "How much enjoyment can I get out of that, and are there any other reasonable alternatives?"
If the enjoyment isn't worth the money and alternatives exist, then I don't spend that money.
Examples:
1) Rent.
"How much enjoyment do I get out of paying my rent?" Well, life's pretty good if I have a roof over my head but I'd be extremely miserable without it. And I'm already paying below market rates on rent so it's not likely I can easily find a cheaper place. So it's money well spent.
2) New Car.
"How much do I enjoy having a new car? It only exists to take me from point A to point B quickly and at a reasonable cost (gas). My current car does that fine and it'll take years of driving even the most fuel efficient car out there to recoup the price tag, even though I have more than enough to pay in Cash, so I decline."
I love my old car and my old jeans. A fancy new car and fancy designer clothes wouldn't make me happier. Why do you think spending lots of money is always more enjoyable that living simply?
We are frugal, my wife and I don't go out much, but we do like to spend on vacation, whether that is seeing her family in Europe or cruising.
But it's pretty damn cool having $$$ in the bank. It's just sad I have to keep my mouth shut about it with most of my family they are $$$ sponges and never save.
Never tell anyone you have money saved---they will be lined up to get it from you somehow! That's something I learned early on. I always had a savings account, even if it was a small sum---for MY protection. Its really no one's business!
I'm not frugal. I'm just boring. I won't get on a plane anymore so I drive to all my vacation destinations. I like to drive. I don't drink at all. It has nothing to do with money. It just makes me too sleepy so I don't do it. My idea of a vacation is driving somewhere for outdoor photography (like a wildlife refuge in other states - costs anywhere from free to $4) not entertainment, amusements, touring, cruising, dining out, etc. Except for an occasional casino visit (last time I was to one was 4 months ago) the things I like to do just happen to be cheap, I don't do them because they are cheap. I hate shopping so it's not something I have to give up. My biggest entertainment expenses are buying a lot of books and getting take out. The classes I take are cheap. My book discussion group doesn't cost anything. While there is an initial cost for photography, every time I go out to take photos it doesn't cost me anything except gas for the car. To go to the movies here it costs under $5. I suppose if I was trying to be frugal, I'd get my books from the library. In other words, if I was trying to be frugal the only change in my life would be the occasional casino visit. I enjoy life so I'm thinking frugal people can, too.
I've been frugal (not cheap..there is a difference) for so long that I cringe when I have to overpay for something or pay full price....
I believe its a good habit to have...you never stop looking for bargains...I get excited over stuff like that because it supports my me and my spouse for our future retirement to enjoy things we probably wouldn't be able to....
There is a big difference between being frugal and being a hoarder.
Frugal people spend on things they enjoy. But they don't buy a lot of expensive stuff they don't need or go recreational shopping.
Geez you had to go there. My wife grew up poor and she saves everything my Father in Law worse. He stayed with us and he wanted to reuse the styrafoam and glue it to our garage door to insulate it.
He even duck taped his 5 year old shoes!
I think there is a big difference between frugal and being cheap/miserly. Frugal is a matter of shopping wisely and establishing your priorities reagarding what makes you happy. Being cheap/miserly borders on mental illness when it is a matter of saving money for money's sake and depriving yourself. Then again, what is deprivation for one person, isn't for another. I've mentioned it previously on this forum: I was married to a guy whose parents had over 1 million dollars in the bank. But.... they had only one change of clothing, drove a very old car, had almost no furniture, their carpeting was worn thru the carpet, thru the pad, to the wood floor, never traveled, and when we visited, had to buy a set of sheets and an extra towel for the guest bed. It was dreadful. Now.... that is miserly and mental.
Never tell anyone you have money saved---they will be lined up to get it from you somehow! That's something I learned early on. I always had a savings account, even if it was a small sum---for MY protection. Its really no one's business!
You don't save for their rainy day!
i can not say i agree at all. i am not sure what kind of people you know but i have never had anything of the sort happen.
we even had our financial lives published in money magazine for 8 million people to read as well as 20 million readers of fidelity investment magazine . no relatives or friends came out of the woodwork ,i can tell you that.
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