I am in the same camp -- no problem with saving but spending our hard earned money? For what?
First , we live comfortably well, for us who don't need much and who know how to save on just about everything. So one thing we spent on was when it comes to cars, my husband was 75 at the time splurged on a brand new car with all the bells and whistles for SAFETY! He went to the dealership with a list of safety features: lane change indicator, auto-this and that, comfortable seats and so on. And he got a very good solid car with all he wanted and more.
We used to drive older used cars with horrendous used up seats. After 500 miles drive, we almost could not stand up to exit the car.
My present from him was a brand new truck for my part time job as a gardener, with power assist steering and power brakes and enough room to store my equipment.
So I'll say as we get older, safety should be our most concerns in spending. Anything that prevent us from landing in the hospital prematurely is worth spending. Home improvement should be done with safety of daily living in mind. Grab bars in the shower, for example. Now we are thinking of how to gift the profligate relatives who don't seem to take care of themselves financially. We don't have children.
Ahhh, the difficult part is to figure out : what is "ENOUGH"? You'll get there. I was never a spender myself. Recently, I looked around and found that I don't need anything else but what I have currently to make my life complete. That was the freedom a lot of readers of this blog mentioned. The moment was a big light bulb going on in my mind. I can't spend all I've made.
To me - being an immigrant from Asia, born of poverty, the choice is "all of the above" perhaps not "the legacy" part? I saved, scrimped, kept serious accounting of every pennies spent. I was a saver since childhood when I was given a clay pot to put my coins in. That got stolen by my brother. I am now comfortably retired due to my good luck [not skills] in saving & investing once a good friend showed me the way. I'm trying to decide now whether to give some money to help my very poor brother who stole my childhood saving pot, to help him through his poverty ridden life. Revenge is delicious in my own mind. But perhaps generosity is a much better virtue?
"Never quite enough" is truly a double edge sword - for good, as it pushes us to strive for better, or for ill if it is used to wound, to hurt, to make us feel inadequate. I use it for my work, life or creation to keep improving my skill and not rest on my last laurel. I even want to be the best in my silly word game I play everyday.
I see that in you, Jonathan. We can't help it as we are part of the forward looking, optimistic kind of people who want to be "better" at everything.
Dennis, I got a funny true story of losing a car. It happened when I went to a liquor store, got my purchasing done, came out and my car was GONE. The parking lot was small, about 10-12 cars spaces. I looked around, finally saw my orange Volvo across the street, which is a pretty busy commercial district street. It had rolled down a slight sloping parking lot, crossed the street and went to stop in the gas station across the road. I had forgotten to set a parking break and left it in neutral [a 4 speed, manual Volvo of old] before rushing into the store. I felt so light headed with joy and relief. How lucky was that! I could have caused a tragic incident if someone had hit that Volvo of mine and got injured. And I bet you felt the same when your Honda beeped back at you in the Lowe's parking lot.
Amen. My family is half way around the world. And that is far enough for me to live my live the way I want. The squabbles/jealousy and fights are annoying in family.
Mixed martial arts movies! I laughed out loud, since you've described me to a T. Quiet, peace and alone to do what I want to accomplish is the same trait I found in myself. I often wonder why I love watching so-called 'violent' shows. I justify it as celebrating victory for the good guys. A pacifist who can defend him/herself but not an aggressive person looking for a fight. But you also have to keep in mind what such a person had to do in order to be able to accomplish that level of skill. Very much like the discipline in saving, investing and being reasonable in everyday living. As for the financial end of life, I think we always have enough, even when we had so little compare to now in retirement. How much you need is determined by who you are.
Thank you for your post - just fits my life [our lives] exactly - married, no kids, relatives are far away and almost inconsequential to our lives. Your article segs with my recent notes to myself - death/dying, inheritance, etc. Keep them coming, please.
R. Quinn,
I see your point. Well, I didn't think I aim for "boring" either. But when I tell my life story it feels 'boring' to most who seeks adventures and high life, stylishly embellished.
Contentment is my goal, but I'm not the most exciting characters either. lol.
I love reading your opinions, by the way.
Thank you for saying it!! Boring life is beautiful. Mine is not much different that yours - work, got married, got a degree, work some more then retired as soon as I thought I had enough, at 51 in 2000. Oops! Lost 1/2 of my IRA investment since I didn't know what I was doing. But all in all this boring life of mine is a good life. No high drama of needs for anything. So luck was on my side also. I think if you can divorce yourself from wanting what was shown to you in commerce/influence/social medias, and find your own path to contentment, you'll be lucky too.
Comments
I am in the same camp -- no problem with saving but spending our hard earned money? For what? First , we live comfortably well, for us who don't need much and who know how to save on just about everything. So one thing we spent on was when it comes to cars, my husband was 75 at the time splurged on a brand new car with all the bells and whistles for SAFETY! He went to the dealership with a list of safety features: lane change indicator, auto-this and that, comfortable seats and so on. And he got a very good solid car with all he wanted and more. We used to drive older used cars with horrendous used up seats. After 500 miles drive, we almost could not stand up to exit the car. My present from him was a brand new truck for my part time job as a gardener, with power assist steering and power brakes and enough room to store my equipment. So I'll say as we get older, safety should be our most concerns in spending. Anything that prevent us from landing in the hospital prematurely is worth spending. Home improvement should be done with safety of daily living in mind. Grab bars in the shower, for example. Now we are thinking of how to gift the profligate relatives who don't seem to take care of themselves financially. We don't have children.
Post: When to spend money
Link to comment from March 16, 2025
Ahhh, the difficult part is to figure out : what is "ENOUGH"? You'll get there. I was never a spender myself. Recently, I looked around and found that I don't need anything else but what I have currently to make my life complete. That was the freedom a lot of readers of this blog mentioned. The moment was a big light bulb going on in my mind. I can't spend all I've made.
Post: What Drives You? By Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from January 25, 2025
To me - being an immigrant from Asia, born of poverty, the choice is "all of the above" perhaps not "the legacy" part? I saved, scrimped, kept serious accounting of every pennies spent. I was a saver since childhood when I was given a clay pot to put my coins in. That got stolen by my brother. I am now comfortably retired due to my good luck [not skills] in saving & investing once a good friend showed me the way. I'm trying to decide now whether to give some money to help my very poor brother who stole my childhood saving pot, to help him through his poverty ridden life. Revenge is delicious in my own mind. But perhaps generosity is a much better virtue?
Post: What Drives You? By Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from January 25, 2025
"Never quite enough" is truly a double edge sword - for good, as it pushes us to strive for better, or for ill if it is used to wound, to hurt, to make us feel inadequate. I use it for my work, life or creation to keep improving my skill and not rest on my last laurel. I even want to be the best in my silly word game I play everyday. I see that in you, Jonathan. We can't help it as we are part of the forward looking, optimistic kind of people who want to be "better" at everything.
Post: Never Quite Enough
Link to comment from September 21, 2024
Dennis, I got a funny true story of losing a car. It happened when I went to a liquor store, got my purchasing done, came out and my car was GONE. The parking lot was small, about 10-12 cars spaces. I looked around, finally saw my orange Volvo across the street, which is a pretty busy commercial district street. It had rolled down a slight sloping parking lot, crossed the street and went to stop in the gas station across the road. I had forgotten to set a parking break and left it in neutral [a 4 speed, manual Volvo of old] before rushing into the store. I felt so light headed with joy and relief. How lucky was that! I could have caused a tragic incident if someone had hit that Volvo of mine and got injured. And I bet you felt the same when your Honda beeped back at you in the Lowe's parking lot.
Post: Delayed Reaction
Link to comment from May 15, 2024
Amen. My family is half way around the world. And that is far enough for me to live my live the way I want. The squabbles/jealousy and fights are annoying in family.
Post: A Quiet Life
Link to comment from March 23, 2024
Mixed martial arts movies! I laughed out loud, since you've described me to a T. Quiet, peace and alone to do what I want to accomplish is the same trait I found in myself. I often wonder why I love watching so-called 'violent' shows. I justify it as celebrating victory for the good guys. A pacifist who can defend him/herself but not an aggressive person looking for a fight. But you also have to keep in mind what such a person had to do in order to be able to accomplish that level of skill. Very much like the discipline in saving, investing and being reasonable in everyday living. As for the financial end of life, I think we always have enough, even when we had so little compare to now in retirement. How much you need is determined by who you are.
Post: A Quiet Life
Link to comment from March 23, 2024
Thank you for your post - just fits my life [our lives] exactly - married, no kids, relatives are far away and almost inconsequential to our lives. Your article segs with my recent notes to myself - death/dying, inheritance, etc. Keep them coming, please.
Post: Just the Two of Us
Link to comment from October 14, 2023
R. Quinn, I see your point. Well, I didn't think I aim for "boring" either. But when I tell my life story it feels 'boring' to most who seeks adventures and high life, stylishly embellished. Contentment is my goal, but I'm not the most exciting characters either. lol. I love reading your opinions, by the way.
Post: My Superpower
Link to comment from February 28, 2023
Thank you for saying it!! Boring life is beautiful. Mine is not much different that yours - work, got married, got a degree, work some more then retired as soon as I thought I had enough, at 51 in 2000. Oops! Lost 1/2 of my IRA investment since I didn't know what I was doing. But all in all this boring life of mine is a good life. No high drama of needs for anything. So luck was on my side also. I think if you can divorce yourself from wanting what was shown to you in commerce/influence/social medias, and find your own path to contentment, you'll be lucky too.
Post: My Superpower
Link to comment from February 28, 2023