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I have never made so much money at a job as i do right now. And i never had as many assets as i do now. But my expenses have decreased drastically. I dont desire the big house on the hill or that porshe. But i want to set up my future by sacrificing today's pleasures.
It basically comes down to having an internal value system and goals. It also comes down to paying attention to what really brings you satisfaction and what doesn't. People who do those things usually realize when enough is enough for them. And typically they find that a fairly modest lifestyle is enough to live a happy and fulfilled life.
Another key here is that if you're really following an internal/intrinsic value system instead of an external one, living a modest lifestyle doesn't feel like a sacrifice.
This article talks about how having a deep motivation is what drive people to create wealth and financial security:
Sit down and truly deconstruct all the mental schemata that have been shoved down your throat forever.
Self reflection is crucial to avoid the lifestyle creep.
Think hard about how many of the things that society convinces you that you "need," you really do not.
Nobody needs a phone that costs a thousand dollars and 120 bucks a month.
Nobody.
However, marketing mavens and societal constructs that define "success" and "the best" will always convince people that, yes, you cannot live a decent life without the latest iPhone.
Nobody needs a new car every 3 years.
Nobody needs to eat out every night, or buy lunch every day, or have brunch every Sunday at the fancy restaurant down the street.
Nobody needs the biggest home, the fanciest clothes, the stylish haircut, or the pool.
They are all wants that we utterly believe are needs, especially because we adhere to the axiom of "I work super hard, therefore I will buy whatever I want. It's my right and I deserve it. What's the point of working hard if you don't spend your hard-earned money on nice things?"
Unpack the definitions of "nice things," "the best" and "success" as well as "need" and you will find yourself on your way to a life in which you realize that being frugal and smart about your money is no sacrifice at all.
No. You live your life and spend your money the way you want. It doesn't necessary means that you live a frugal life, though...
Frugality is about getting the most value out of a dollar, and getting the best deals you can for what you buy. It's not about not wanting new things. You can enjoy getting new toys and still be frugal.
The first question is "why should we avoid lifestyle creep?"
I have never made so much money at a job as i do right now. And i never had as many assets as i do now. But my expenses have decreased drastically. I dont desire the big house on the hill or that porshe. But i want to set up my future by sacrificing today's pleasures.
It all depends on your wants. I have very few wants and don't care much about "things" like eating out, fashion, big houses, fancy cars, electronics, shoes, art, or wines. So while my income has changed what I buy hasn't. I actually buy less than I did when I was in my 20's when everything "seemed" so great until I realized the stuff didn't make me happy, was useless and put me in debt.
My husband likes more of the toys than I do but we never spend more than we can afford. On that list we have owned a boat, actually 2. Found out that the best ones are the smaller ones. They get more use
Don't sacrifice your future on "stuff". If you really want something save for it. There is nothing wrong with rewarding yourself if you can afford it. If you can't afford it then find a different type of reward
Sit down and truly deconstruct all the mental schemata that have been shoved down your throat forever.
Self reflection is crucial to avoid the lifestyle creep.
Think hard about how many of the things that society convinces you that you "need," you really do not. Nobody needs a phone that costs a thousand dollars and 120 bucks a month.
Nobody.
However, marketing mavens and societal constructs that define "success" and "the best" will always convince people that, yes, you cannot live a decent life without the latest iPhone.
Nobody needs a new car every 3 years.
Nobody needs to eat out every night, or buy lunch every day, or have brunch every Sunday at the fancy restaurant down the street.
Nobody needs the biggest home, the fanciest clothes, the stylish haircut, or the pool.
They are all wants that we utterly believe are needs, especially because we adhere to the axiom of "I work super hard, therefore I will buy whatever I want. It's my right and I deserve it. What's the point of working hard if you don't spend your hard-earned money on nice things?"
Unpack the definitions of "nice things," "the best" and "success" as well as "need" and you will find yourself on your way to a life in which you realize that being frugal and smart about your money is no sacrifice at all.
I knew a few women who wouldn't date a guy if he had a flip phone. I thought it was totally ridiculous.
My big ass house in California didn't bring me joy but my tiny apartment in arizona brings me more joy. The stuff doesn't bring me joy, but experiences with people does.
I knew a few women who wouldn't date a guy if he had a flip phone. I thought it was totally ridiculous.
Absolutely absurd.
Especially when you think about how those women are sheep. I am sure they were the same people who would not be caught dead with a big ass 5.5 inch-screen iPhone when society told us that the cool, trendy thing to have was a tiny, convenient, inconspicuous flip phone. Now the tide has turned, and the bigger the screen, the "better," so people follow the trends like the sheep they are.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 49erfan916
My big ass house in California didn't bring me joy but my tiny apartment in arizona brings me more joy. The stuff doesn't bring me joy, but experiences with people does.
^^^^SO much awesome truth in that post!
I also think about how much inconveniences/expenses come along with bigger homes, bigger cars, more clothes, etc. I'd rather focus on people than on things I own (which, like the old axiom says, [the things you own truly] end up owning you).
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