Comments on: The Backlash Against Frugality http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:08:33 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: tentaculistic http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-786107 tentaculistic Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:56:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-786107 I think other posters have said it well... I just want to point out two recent purchases of non-essentials that have improved the enjoyment of life in my home... the Roomba and a new electric grill for the balcony (apt fire codes prohibit anything but electric). It's so nice to have the floors actually clean (all the mopping and sweeping seemed to be a losing battle, and my bare feet were always dirty, grr!) with so little effort. Ahhhh! And it's SOOOO nice to have a man-toy that encourages my husband to take on cooking, a task that has always fallen exclusively to me or Micky D's. I love grills! And I will steadfastly remain willfully ignorant of how that grill works. :) That said, our credit cards are paid off, we each have a healthy amount in our retirement, we have a healthy amount in our emergency fund, and we have our normal operating expenses covered. Now that we got to that point (very hard to get there!) we can afford smallish luxuries like a Roomba and little balcony grill - and we really appreciate them. If you think you are entitled to every luxury as a basic right, you wouldn't appreciate them, I suspect. Oh, and I agree that Yahoo is predominantly populated by mouth-breathers. Very useful if you want to know how to pop pimples or good brands of lip gloss, but not so useful for any kind of real information (including things that could be googled in about 3 seconds!). I think other posters have said it well… I just want to point out two recent purchases of non-essentials that have improved the enjoyment of life in my home… the Roomba and a new electric grill for the balcony (apt fire codes prohibit anything but electric). It’s so nice to have the floors actually clean (all the mopping and sweeping seemed to be a losing battle, and my bare feet were always dirty, grr!) with so little effort. Ahhhh! And it’s SOOOO nice to have a man-toy that encourages my husband to take on cooking, a task that has always fallen exclusively to me or Micky D’s. I love grills! And I will steadfastly remain willfully ignorant of how that grill works. :)

That said, our credit cards are paid off, we each have a healthy amount in our retirement, we have a healthy amount in our emergency fund, and we have our normal operating expenses covered. Now that we got to that point (very hard to get there!) we can afford smallish luxuries like a Roomba and little balcony grill – and we really appreciate them. If you think you are entitled to every luxury as a basic right, you wouldn’t appreciate them, I suspect.

Oh, and I agree that Yahoo is predominantly populated by mouth-breathers. Very useful if you want to know how to pop pimples or good brands of lip gloss, but not so useful for any kind of real information (including things that could be googled in about 3 seconds!).

]]> By: Sean http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-672854 Sean Mon, 25 May 2009 07:33:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-672854 Funny that anyone would have anything negative to say about being frugal! All it takes is EXPERIENCE with being frugal to see that it's common sense. By being frugal throughout our marriage, and especially frugal over the past year or so, my wife and I have been able to save enough money to carry us for a couple of years if we both were to lose our jobs in this recession. We haven't suffered at all in doing so either. I recently got laid off from my job and I was able to breath easy. Even though we have never made "big bucks" by living frugally we were able to put aside money and food, little-by-little, just in case. And now we are glad we did. And you know what? We are so used to conserving, we will be able to get along without my paycheck AND without tapping into our savings for at least a year as long as my wife holds her job. Thanks to being frugal. People thought it was strange when we shut off the Cable and went to antenna TV a year ago. Now we are glad. We saved about $700 and spent less time mindlessly stairing at the tube. My advice, from EXPERIENCE, being frugal will keep you from going broke or hungry and it just MIGHT lead to you actually becoming rich. BE frugal. Funny that anyone would have anything negative to say about being frugal! All it takes is EXPERIENCE with being frugal to see that it’s common sense. By being frugal throughout our marriage, and especially frugal over the past year or so, my wife and I have been able to save enough money to carry us for a couple of years if we both were to lose our jobs in this recession. We haven’t suffered at all in doing so either. I recently got laid off from my job and I was able to breath easy. Even though we have never made “big bucks” by living frugally we were able to put aside money and food, little-by-little, just in case. And now we are glad we did. And you know what? We are so used to conserving, we will be able to get along without my paycheck AND without tapping into our savings for at least a year as long as my wife holds her job. Thanks to being frugal. People thought it was strange when we shut off the Cable and went to antenna TV a year ago. Now we are glad. We saved about $700 and spent less time mindlessly stairing at the tube. My advice, from EXPERIENCE, being frugal will keep you from going broke or hungry and it just MIGHT lead to you actually becoming rich. BE frugal.

]]> By: Pam Munro http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-176354 Pam Munro Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:59:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-176354 There is a social stigma to being frugal - I know, I live in L.A. & for years had to "hide" my frugality or risk being seen as pathetic. I just didn't tell people how I managed to be pretty well dressed with what I was making as a starving artiste. In fact, my designer thrift shop wardrobe was a social shield when I went out in public - let them guess at how much $ I was making! My suburban nieces and nephew looked down on the finds I came back with from their local thrift shop (aran-type sweater for $7?? & Parisian t-shirts?). They would be humiliated to buy anywhere other than the GAP or a dept. store - end result - they spend too much on crummy clothes! One wants to become s school teacher & I think will have an awakening on trying to live on her salary. There is a social stigma to being frugal – I know, I live in L.A. & for years had to “hide” my frugality or risk being seen as pathetic. I just didn’t tell people how I managed to be pretty well dressed with what I was making as a starving artiste. In fact, my designer thrift shop wardrobe was a social shield when I went out in public – let them guess at how much $ I was making! My suburban nieces and nephew looked down on the finds I came back with from their local thrift shop (aran-type sweater for $7?? & Parisian t-shirts?). They would be humiliated to buy anywhere other than the GAP or a dept. store – end result – they spend too much on crummy clothes! One wants to become s school teacher & I think will have an awakening on trying to live on her salary.

]]> By: Sam http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-175584 Sam Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:39:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-175584 I can’t believe that some people are actually trying to argue in favor of “frivolously” spending money. I know that a lot of people live beyond their means, but I always just assumed (and I know what that does) one of two things: (A) either people don’t think about what they are doing when they buy stuff they can’t really afford, or (B) they allow their urge for instant gratification to overcome their common sense. (I typically find myself in the first category- I can make a lot of “mindless” purchases) I never thought that some people would actually try to argue (C)- that “frivolous living” is morally acceptable (besides advertisers). I hope that most people in financial chaos fall into categories (A) or (B). It’s bad enough to think that an entire generation in this country is living beyond their means, but category (C) thinkers put me in fear for the future of our country because we have lost our moral compass as a nation when they become the majority. I can’t believe that some people are actually trying to argue in favor of “frivolously” spending money. I know that a lot of people live beyond their means, but I always just assumed (and I know what that does) one of two things: (A) either people don’t think about what they are doing when they buy stuff they can’t really afford, or (B) they allow their urge for instant gratification to overcome their common sense. (I typically find myself in the first category- I can make a lot of “mindless” purchases) I never thought that some people would actually try to argue (C)- that “frivolous living” is morally acceptable (besides advertisers). I hope that most people in financial chaos fall into categories (A) or (B). It’s bad enough to think that an entire generation in this country is living beyond their means, but category (C) thinkers put me in fear for the future of our country because we have lost our moral compass as a nation when they become the majority.

]]> By: Jim http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-143425 Jim Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:44:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-143425 I have always been a relatively frugal person and worked in lower income jobs, choosing to be self reliant, buying tools instead of products, learning new skills. Now I ride a bicycle as my primary source of transportation.. even have a trailer I pull behind it to do my grocery shopping. Last year I used a total of 45 gallons of gas. I have no debt, no unfilled needs, do all of my own repairs and help my friends with theirs, and live on less than $13,000 a year. I am very healthy because I ride a bike everywhere. Of all of my friends I have by far the best life, the least stress, the fewest needs, the most free time and the most skills. My home is in perfect repair, I have made all of my furniture (was an upholsterer and a cabinet maker for most of my life)I am surrounded by my own creations, an amazingly rewarding thing to be able to say and my work is much admired by others. My lifestyle is rich, my impact is minimal. Frugality is so superior in every meaningful way it is indescribable. Consumerism, on the other hand, is unsustainable, devestating to the ecology, destructive to the economy, is devaluing our money, degrading to it's victims and potentially fatal to all living things. I think I can do without the I-phone. I have always been a relatively frugal person and worked in lower income jobs, choosing to be self reliant, buying tools instead of products, learning new skills. Now I ride a bicycle as my primary source of transportation.. even have a trailer I pull behind it to do my grocery shopping. Last year I used a total of 45 gallons of gas. I have no debt, no unfilled needs, do all of my own repairs and help my friends with theirs, and live on less than $13,000 a year. I am very healthy because I ride a bike everywhere. Of all of my friends I have by far the best life, the least stress, the fewest needs, the most free time and the most skills. My home is in perfect repair, I have made all of my furniture (was an upholsterer and a cabinet maker for most of my life)I am surrounded by my own creations, an amazingly rewarding thing to be able to say and my work is much admired by others. My lifestyle is rich, my impact is minimal. Frugality is so superior in every meaningful way it is indescribable. Consumerism, on the other hand, is unsustainable, devestating to the ecology, destructive to the economy, is devaluing our money, degrading to it’s victims and potentially fatal to all living things. I think I can do without the I-phone.

]]> By: Never teh Bride http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-83949 Never teh Bride Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:43:08 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-83949 If I cared a lick for the opinions of the Yahoo commenters, I could always quell my worries by imagining the inevitable future in which I'm financially secure and they're living on public assistance. If I cared a lick for the opinions of the Yahoo commenters, I could always quell my worries by imagining the inevitable future in which I’m financially secure and they’re living on public assistance.

]]> By: Mama Squirrel http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-80681 Mama Squirrel Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:38:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-80681 Used clothes are icky? Tell THEM to get a life, and to save their comments until after they've had to provide for their own young children on a tight budget. I've linked. Used clothes are icky? Tell THEM to get a life, and to save their comments until after they’ve had to provide for their own young children on a tight budget.

I’ve linked.

]]> By: Leslie M-B http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-80077 Leslie M-B Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:03:07 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-80077 The people who comment on Yahoo! Finance are prone to being troglodytes. Especially when they're responding to articles by women, and in particular young women. Ever seen the comments Penelope Trunk gets, even on her best columns? The people who comment on Yahoo! Finance are prone to being troglodytes. Especially when they’re responding to articles by women, and in particular young women. Ever seen the comments Penelope Trunk gets, even on her best columns?

]]> By: ladykemma2 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-79833 ladykemma2 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 19:06:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-79833 these critical people are probably the ones who criticize my hubby and i for our now "paid for" house. at age 44. you wouldn't believe how much flack we get for this. these critical people are probably the ones who criticize my hubby and i for our now “paid for” house. at age 44. you wouldn’t believe how much flack we get for this.

]]> By: Mary Stewart http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-79796 Mary Stewart Sun, 30 Sep 2007 15:58:02 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-79796 I was raised by frugal parents who experienced the depression. My father was the bread winner and my mom was always with us kids at home. We ate three square meals a day, wore hand-me-down clothes, rode in the backseat of an old '54 Chevy as we went camping in the summer and deer hunting in the winter. We didn't own a TV and the internet would have been described in a science fiction magazine, so we learned how to build our own toys and entertain ourselves. We used and reused things that would today be found in a land fill. As a result, imagination expanded our minds. We lived in New Mexico on land that was homesteaded by my Dad's parents in the early 1900's. Dad bought a house and had it moved to the land. It was rented to a little old lady who was on social security and her monthly rent covered the utilities, property tax and insurance on the house we lived in (debt free). Dad also worked for the Sante Fe Rail Road and by the time I entered Jr High, my parents had saved enough money to pay cash for a big house they had custom built in town. It was 1965, and we still rode in that '54 Chevy, wore hand-me-downs and vacationed in tents and slept on cots. Dad kept buying rental property and by the time I was in high school had saved enough for all of us to go to college. I watched my dad go to work rain, snow, sleet or shine. My mom darned socks, replaced zippers and buttons, hemmed and sewed our clothes and never relied on Mc Donald's (like the younger mothers) because she cooked everday, wasting absolutely nothing. The first time I ate in a restuarant was while in high school and it was a celebration. My parents taught me how to be frugal, take care of what I had and rely on my imagination. So when I got married, I tried to emulate their lessons. Instead, I was constantly berrated with, "You're just like your Dad! You think that when you die, you'll take it with you." So now, in my senior years, I live in a house that's been refinanced again and again so he could enjoy a new car and all the gagets ... no retirement (that nest egg has been robbed, too) ... and fear for tomorrow. All because I didn't want to be called CHEAP (another word for frugal)! I was raised by frugal parents who experienced the depression. My father was the bread winner and my mom was always with us kids at home. We ate three square meals a day, wore hand-me-down clothes, rode in the backseat of an old ‘54 Chevy as we went camping in the summer and deer hunting in the winter. We didn’t own a TV and the internet would have been described in a science fiction magazine, so we learned how to build our own toys and entertain ourselves. We used and reused things that would today be found in a land fill. As a result, imagination expanded our minds. We lived in New Mexico on land that was homesteaded by my Dad’s parents in the early 1900’s. Dad bought a house and had it moved to the land. It was rented to a little old lady who was on social security and her monthly rent covered the utilities, property tax and insurance on the house we lived in (debt free). Dad also worked for the Sante Fe Rail Road and by the time I entered Jr High, my parents had saved enough money to pay cash for a big house they had custom built in town. It was 1965, and we still rode in that ‘54 Chevy, wore hand-me-downs and vacationed in tents and slept on cots. Dad kept buying rental property and by the time I was in high school had saved enough for all of us to go to college. I watched my dad go to work rain, snow, sleet or shine. My mom darned socks, replaced zippers and buttons, hemmed and sewed our clothes and never relied on Mc Donald’s (like the younger mothers) because she cooked everday, wasting absolutely nothing. The first time I ate in a restuarant was while in high school and it was a celebration. My parents taught me how to be frugal, take care of what I had and rely on my imagination. So when I got married, I tried to emulate their lessons. Instead, I was constantly berrated with, “You’re just like your Dad! You think that when you die, you’ll take it with you.” So now, in my senior years, I live in a house that’s been refinanced again and again so he could enjoy a new car and all the gagets … no retirement (that nest egg has been robbed, too) … and fear for tomorrow. All because I didn’t want to be called CHEAP (another word for frugal)!

]]> By: Banban http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-79724 Banban Sun, 30 Sep 2007 06:08:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-79724 Why is it that young people must spend a lot of money in order to be cool? It's probably because of this whole "bling" mentality and celebrity culture, where kids want to look like Paris Hilton and live like a rockstar. We listen to hip-hop artists that throw money in the air, and we want to be like them. I find it pretty ironic that those who spend and "act rich" now will have some financial difficulties in the future. I'm all for living the good life, but only if you can afford it. Having a $45K car and making $30K might seem stupid. But here in Los Angeles, it's quite the norm. Why is it that young people must spend a lot of money in order to be cool? It’s probably because of this whole “bling” mentality and celebrity
culture, where kids want to look like Paris Hilton and live like a rockstar. We listen to hip-hop artists that throw money in the air, and we want to be like them.

I find it pretty ironic that those who spend and “act rich” now will have some financial difficulties in the future.

I’m all for living the good life, but only if you can afford it. Having a $45K car and making $30K might seem stupid. But here in Los Angeles, it’s quite the norm.

]]> By: Amanda http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-79475 Amanda Sat, 29 Sep 2007 15:35:26 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-79475 The problem with spending more money to keep the economy going is that no one (not even the government, which is spending it like water right now) can keep it up indefinitely, and the "help" you're giving only makes the crash worse. I can't blame people for thinking it, since they've been forced to swallow this drivel their entire lives, but it makes me sad. The problem with spending more money to keep the economy going is that no one (not even the government, which is spending it like water right now) can keep it up indefinitely, and the “help” you’re giving only makes the crash worse.

I can’t blame people for thinking it, since they’ve been forced to swallow this drivel their entire lives, but it makes me sad.

]]> By: jane http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-79453 jane Sat, 29 Sep 2007 13:24:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-79453 My new favorit comment from the article "If the subprime credit crunch doesn't kill us, enough people following Anya's recommendations will definately plunge us into recession." We must all spend mone to keep the economy going how I love this one. My new favorit comment from the article “If the subprime credit crunch doesn’t kill us, enough people following Anya’s recommendations will definately plunge us into recession.”

We must all spend mone to keep the economy going how I love this one.

]]> By: Steven http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-79352 Steven Sat, 29 Sep 2007 06:00:04 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-79352 "Yet I’ve constantly witnessed people being quite happy with their iPhone, even though the only features they actually use are found on many far less expensive phones." Features like the touch-screen? :) “Yet I’ve constantly witnessed people being quite happy with their iPhone, even though the only features they actually use are found on many far less expensive phones.”

Features like the touch-screen? :)

]]> By: rocketc http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-79309 rocketc Sat, 29 Sep 2007 03:03:50 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-79309 Money is a tool, a means to an end. People who refuse to use money wisely, have no goals in life. Money is a tool, a means to an end. People who refuse to use money wisely, have no goals in life.

]]> By: vh http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-79302 vh Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:42:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-79302 “I am leasing a new car because I am sick and tired of used cars. To the extremely frugal this is a tsk tsk situation, but for me it’s necessary.” Is there something wrong with this? One good reason for frugality is to free up enough money to do exactly this kind of thing: being able to afford something you enjoy. It's not all about distant goals; some of the goals can be right now. Seems to me if you can afford a car lease (or fill in the blank: designer purse, iPhone, vacation on the Riviera, dinner at McDonald's) because you have your spending under control, then that purchase is one of the perqs of frugality. The comment on public transportation in LA is right on. Ditto lovely uptown Phoenix. My employer handed out free bus passes in attempt to get some of us to ditch the one-person-per-car commutes. So I tried it.... The 30-minute drive took two hours going to work and 2 hours 10 minutes coming home. During that time I was panhandled three times, hit up for a cigarette once, treated to a loud conversation between a mentally ill gentleman and his imaginary roommate, and let off the bus almost a mile from my office. About two days later, I learned that on the very morning I stood around waiting for the bus to go to work, a woman was abducted from my bus stop and raped. Sooo.... Sorry, folks: I won't be riding the bus again. That has nothing to do with class and everything to do with service and safety. “I am leasing a new car because I am sick and tired of used cars. To the extremely frugal this is a tsk tsk situation, but for me it’s necessary.”

Is there something wrong with this? One good reason for frugality is to free up enough money to do exactly this kind of thing: being able to afford something you enjoy. It’s not all about distant goals; some of the goals can be right now.

Seems to me if you can afford a car lease (or fill in the blank: designer purse, iPhone, vacation on the Riviera, dinner at McDonald’s) because you have your spending under control, then that purchase is one of the perqs of frugality.

The comment on public transportation in LA is right on. Ditto lovely uptown Phoenix. My employer handed out free bus passes in attempt to get some of us to ditch the one-person-per-car commutes. So I tried it…. The 30-minute drive took two hours going to work and 2 hours 10 minutes coming home. During that time I was panhandled three times, hit up for a cigarette once, treated to a loud conversation between a mentally ill gentleman and his imaginary roommate, and let off the bus almost a mile from my office. About two days later, I learned that on the very morning I stood around waiting for the bus to go to work, a woman was abducted from my bus stop and raped.

Sooo…. Sorry, folks: I won’t be riding the bus again. That has nothing to do with class and everything to do with service and safety.

]]> By: Amanda http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-79265 Amanda Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:06:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-79265 Nope, the comment wasn't directed at anyone in particular. Amazing how people get touchy, though, when their sacred cow is brought up for discussion. I'm an IT consultant and feel no need to get an iPhone or anything like it. That "feeling" you describe is an addiction no different than an addiction to food or gambling. Sorry, but there it is. Nope, the comment wasn’t directed at anyone in particular. Amazing how people get touchy, though, when their sacred cow is brought up for discussion.

I’m an IT consultant and feel no need to get an iPhone or anything like it. That “feeling” you describe is an addiction no different than an addiction to food or gambling. Sorry, but there it is.

]]> By: disavow http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-79198 disavow Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:26:20 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-79198 Part of the problem with Yahoo Finance is downright sexism. Just compare comments between Anya Kamenetz or Penelope Trunk vs. Ram Charan or David Bach. Pretty comparable writing abilities, but vastly different responses. Part of the problem with Yahoo Finance is downright sexism. Just compare comments between Anya Kamenetz or Penelope Trunk vs. Ram Charan or David Bach. Pretty comparable writing abilities, but vastly different responses.

]]> By: Amy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-79162 Amy Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:10:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-79162 "But for 50 Cent and Jon Bon Jovi, two people who have real money in bank accounts and can live off the interest, my question, in summary, was did these people get to where they are now by being frugal?" While I don't know either of those men personally, I do know a number of people who are making their careers in the arts (mostly music and theater). All of them have gone through periods of living on ramen with five roommates in a terrible neighborhood so they could keep pursuing their passion, and all of them could have walked away from their dreams to do something much more lucrative. That's being frugal. So yes, I strongly suspect that both of them got where they are today in part through frugality. “But for 50 Cent and Jon Bon Jovi, two people who have real money in bank accounts and can live off the interest, my question, in summary, was did these people get to where they are now by being frugal?”

While I don’t know either of those men personally, I do know a number of people who are making their careers in the arts (mostly music and theater). All of them have gone through periods of living on ramen with five roommates in a terrible neighborhood so they could keep pursuing their passion, and all of them could have walked away from their dreams to do something much more lucrative. That’s being frugal.

So yes, I strongly suspect that both of them got where they are today in part through frugality.

]]> By: Baggie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/comment-page-2/#comment-79146 Baggie Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:33:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/09/27/the-backlash-against-frugality/#comment-79146 The discussino of celebrities and the like other people that have extremely high incomes brings up this... Frugality isn't the same things to all people. If I'm 50cent and make $50mil a year, I don't need to buy used clothes if I don't want to...or a used car...or a small house. However I would have to avoid spending my $50mil in one year. Earning $50 mil & spending it all in one year is the same as earning $20k in a year and spending it all in one year. Frugality is not meant to be a drag and make life miserable. Life is here to be enjoyed, and to some people a new car, big house, designer purse, or new clothes helps them feel that life is enjoyable. But don't fool yourself into thinking that buying these things with debt will make life enjoyable. If you have to buy these things with debt or spend more than you should, your heading towards disaster...look for other things that make life enjoyable without spending money. If you can buy these things AFTER you've met your savings and debt reductiong goals, then enjoy....you've earned. Like 50cent. Frugality can be fun. Why do people love sales & discounts? If I need a pair of shoes, I think it's fun to hunt around to find the best bargain (yes I buy new ones). I think it fun to see the amount in my savings account go up every month because I don't have a car payment & my car is paid off, and that money gets saved. I think it's fun to plan what me & DH are going to do with that money to start our own business & not have to be employees anymore. Frugality is fun when you have a goal in mind and you keep that in front of you when you feel the pinch of not having instant gratification. If you don't have high income and you want to be rich (= financially free = don't need a job anymore), you have to be frugal. If you have high income and want to be rich, you still have to maintain control of frivolous spendings. Controlling your money instead of letting it control you will make the difference in whether or not you become rich. The discussino of celebrities and the like other people that have extremely high incomes brings up this…

Frugality isn’t the same things to all people. If I’m 50cent and make $50mil a year, I don’t need to buy used clothes if I don’t want to…or a used car…or a small house. However I would have to avoid spending my $50mil in one year. Earning $50 mil & spending it all in one year is the same as earning $20k in a year and spending it all in one year.

Frugality is not meant to be a drag and make life miserable. Life is here to be enjoyed, and to some people a new car, big house, designer purse, or new clothes helps them feel that life is enjoyable. But don’t fool yourself into thinking that buying these things with debt will make life enjoyable. If you have to buy these things with debt or spend more than you should, your heading towards disaster…look for other things that make life enjoyable without spending money. If you can buy these things AFTER you’ve met your savings and debt reductiong goals, then enjoy….you’ve earned. Like 50cent.

Frugality can be fun. Why do people love sales & discounts? If I need a pair of shoes, I think it’s fun to hunt around to find the best bargain (yes I buy new ones). I think it fun to see the amount in my savings account go up every month because I don’t have a car payment & my car is paid off, and that money gets saved. I think it’s fun to plan what me & DH are going to do with that money to start our own business & not have to be employees anymore.

Frugality is fun when you have a goal in mind and you keep that in front of you when you feel the pinch of not having instant gratification. If you don’t have high income and you want to be rich (= financially free = don’t need a job anymore), you have to be frugal. If you have high income and want to be rich, you still have to maintain control of frivolous spendings. Controlling your money instead of letting it control you will make the difference in whether or not you become rich.

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