ER Eddie
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2013
- Messages
- 1,794
I cut my own hair, too, and find the main benefit is that I don't have to drive 15 minutes, then sit in a chair for 10 while listening to bad music and trying to find a magazine that interests me, then make idle conversation with the stylist, then drive back home. I'd pay money to avoid that. Instead, I'm saving it.
I got into voluntary simplicity literature (e.g., Your Money or Your Life, Circle of Simplicity) about 30 years ago, and it was very helpful to me in adopting the right mindset. It helped free me from the US consumerist, "more/better," work/spend treadmill that so many people get caught up in.
I have a humble abode, because it doesn't take much to make me happy, and I'm not trying to impress anyone. That's saved a bundle.
I don't use many entertainment services (e.g., cable, Netflix) and have a very simple, low-cost cell phone plan.
What else? Well, I avoided getting married for a second time and having kids. That's probably saved me a bundle, especially if it didn't work out, which odds are it wouldn't have. I avoid dating, although that's for lack of interest more than a desire to save money.
I'm at the point where I've got lots of money and don't need to worry about spending "frivolously." In fact, I am trying intentionally to spend my money more freely. It's just money. I think that if we end up focusing too much on saving money, we're no better off than the people who focus too much on earning it. The point of saving money, at least to me, is to free your time/mind up to focus on more meaningful things.
I got into voluntary simplicity literature (e.g., Your Money or Your Life, Circle of Simplicity) about 30 years ago, and it was very helpful to me in adopting the right mindset. It helped free me from the US consumerist, "more/better," work/spend treadmill that so many people get caught up in.
I have a humble abode, because it doesn't take much to make me happy, and I'm not trying to impress anyone. That's saved a bundle.
I don't use many entertainment services (e.g., cable, Netflix) and have a very simple, low-cost cell phone plan.
What else? Well, I avoided getting married for a second time and having kids. That's probably saved me a bundle, especially if it didn't work out, which odds are it wouldn't have. I avoid dating, although that's for lack of interest more than a desire to save money.
I'm at the point where I've got lots of money and don't need to worry about spending "frivolously." In fact, I am trying intentionally to spend my money more freely. It's just money. I think that if we end up focusing too much on saving money, we're no better off than the people who focus too much on earning it. The point of saving money, at least to me, is to free your time/mind up to focus on more meaningful things.
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