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Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 08:48 AM
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#1
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,719
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Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
I know this is a recurring post on this board, but I figured that it was time for a bit of a refresh.
These days, I've come to the sad realization that I'm a bit too focused on w*rk and money. I look at everything from the perspective of what it costs, and always ask myself the question "do I really need" whatever it is. Invariably, the answer is "no", and so I go on my less-than-merry way. This applies to clothes, gadgets, etc.... It's gotten to the point that I don't even like to go out for dinner/drinks, etc... since I've once-too-often had the unfortunate experience of receiving lousy food (nutritionally and taste-wise), poor service (rude/inattentive) and in some cases, poor choice of company (that's my fault, I suppose). I would much rather stay home, cook for myself, read a good book, watch a movie from Netflix or surf the 'Net.
Anyone else feel like this?
__________________
He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it . . . It faced, or seemed to face, the whole external world for an instant and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. -- The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:03 AM
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#2
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,085
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_Gatsby
It's gotten to the point that I don't even like to go out for dinner/drinks, etc... since I've once-too-often had the unfortunate experience of receiving lousy food (nutritionally and taste-wise), poor service (rude/inattentive) and in some cases, poor choice of company (that's my fault, I suppose). I would much rather stay home, cook for myself, read a good book, watch a movie from Netflix or surf the 'Net.
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Prolly means you an introvert, not obsessed with money.
__________________
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
- George Orwell
Ezekiel 23:20
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:06 AM
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#3
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,719
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by brewer12345
Prolly means you an introvert, not obsessed with money.
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Yes, I am an introvert, even though I can be quite charming and engaging in social settings. Nevertheless, I find discussions about people's cars, houses, exotic vacations, who they know (important/famous) and how important they think their jobs/careers are, to be a tremendous waste of my time.
__________________
He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it . . . It faced, or seemed to face, the whole external world for an instant and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. -- The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:10 AM
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#4
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 304
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Just be sure you aren't getting stuck in the mode of deferring everything until that magical 'someday' arrives.
Life is what is happening to you now.
Seems like some on this board adopt the philosophy that spending money is inherently evil, to be avoided at all costs. I just don't get that.
Me, I see money just as a tool. Set my savings target, pay myself first, and enjoy the rest. I want something, I can afford it, I buy it. Why the he** not?
Why endlessly deprive yourself of things you enjoy? You only go around once, might as well enjoy it.
If working is so terribly abhorrent to someone that it is worth not spending a dime for years on end, so you can 'get out' a few years earlier, well then maybe that person is in the wrong line of work.
Life isn't a destination, you gotta enjoy the trip.
- John
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:11 AM
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#5
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 304
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_Gatsby
Nevertheless, I find discussions about people's cars, houses, exotic vacations, who they know (important/famous) and how important they think their jobs/careers are, to be a tremendous waste of my time.
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Well I'm certainly with you on that one.
I find as an introvert myself, life is simpler with just the family and no friends !!
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:12 AM
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#6
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,483
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_Gatsby
Yes, I am an introvert, even though I can be quite charming and engaging in social settings. Nevertheless, I find discussions about people's cars, houses, exotic vacations, who they know (important/famous) and how important they think their jobs/careers are, to be a tremendous waste of my time.
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Sounds like you need to find more like-minded folks like yourself.......... DW always rolls her eyes at me, since she is the introvert and I am the polar opposite. However, I anjoy the banter with others about obsessive consumption, all it does is cement OUR plan................
__________________
Consult with your own advisor or representative. My thoughts should not be construed as investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results (love that one).......:)
This Thread is USELESS without pics.........:)
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:13 AM
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#7
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,880
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Prolly means you an introvert,
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Yes. You're saying "I don't like to go out because I don't like it when I spend money, and besides the food, company, and service isn't that good." But maybe you just don't feel like going out, unrelated to spending money.
I tend to prefer staying in, but find it's good to alternate. Stick around house until I feel "I gotta get outta here" and go out and do things until I feel "I wish I were home sitting on the couch reading a book."
__________________
Al
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:13 AM
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#8
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,483
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by runchman
Well I'm certainly with you on that one.
I find as an introvert myself, life is simpler with just the family and no friends !!
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Could be lonely is you start "not liking" some of those "family members"..........
__________________
Consult with your own advisor or representative. My thoughts should not be construed as investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results (love that one).......:)
This Thread is USELESS without pics.........:)
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:15 AM
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#9
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 304
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by FinanceDude
Could be lonely is you start "not liking" some of those "family members"..........
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I think the real problem is going to be when the kids head off to college and I'm stuck with just the wife
No more fun like this weekend when the daughters and I went to a nearby pond to catch tadpoles to raise. I never saw my 11 year old so excited.
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:33 AM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: minnesota
Posts: 13,228
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_Gatsby
I I look at everything from the perspective of what it costs, and always ask myself the question "do I really need" whatever it is. Invariably, the answer is "no", and so I go on my less-than-merry way.
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Sometimes it is ok to get something you really want but don't need. As CT always says, it is about balance. I really wanted a scooter. I didn't need it. I shopped carefully and got one. It fit in the budget. It has been great fun.
[img width=562 height=750]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/martham/tripmarch2007121.jpg[/img]
__________________
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No more lawyer stuff, no more political stuff, so no more CYA
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:49 AM
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#11
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,021
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martha
[img width=562 height=750]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/martham/tripmarch2007121.jpg[/img]
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It seems so...empty. Where's the scooter trash?
__________________
Numbers is hard
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:50 AM
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#12
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Hell's Lawyers
__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire
...not doing anything of true substance...
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:56 AM
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#13
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,021
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by HFWR
Hell's Lawyers
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Is that the group who wear the "If you can read this, the paralegal fell off" T-shirts?
__________________
Numbers is hard
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 09:59 AM
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#14
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Gone but not forgotten
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,924
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_Gatsby
I know this is a recurring post on this board, but I figured that it was time for a bit of a refresh.
These days, I've come to the sad realization that I'm a bit too focused on w*rk and money. I look at everything from the perspective of what it costs, and always ask myself the question "do I really need" whatever it is. Invariably, the answer is "no", and so I go on my less-than-merry way. This applies to clothes, gadgets, etc.... It's gotten to the point that I don't even like to go out for dinner/drinks, etc... since I've once-too-often had the unfortunate experience of receiving lousy food (nutritionally and taste-wise), poor service (rude/inattentive) and in some cases, poor choice of company (that's my fault, I suppose). I would much rather stay home, cook for myself, read a good book, watch a movie from Netflix or surf the 'Net.
Anyone else feel like this?
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Very much.
If I go out to eat the food will make me ill (refined carbs et al), being around and interacting with people will raise my blood pressure and the stress will make me eat too much.
I am content to stay home, do some yard work, surf the net, listen to the birds, and throw peanuts to the squirrels.
I didn't realize how stressed I was, and how much it was damaging my health until after I retired.
As far as spending money, I don't really want much stuff.
__________________
"Knowin' no one nowhere's gonna miss us when we're gone..."
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 10:01 AM
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#15
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by REWahoo!
Is that the group who wear the "If you can read this, Greg the paralegal fell off" T-shirts?
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__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire
...not doing anything of true substance...
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 10:22 AM
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#16
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oahu
Posts: 26,860
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_Gatsby
These days, I've come to the sad realization that I'm a bit too focused on w*rk and money. I look at everything from the perspective of what it costs, and always ask myself the question "do I really need" whatever it is. Invariably, the answer is "no", and so I go on my less-than-merry way.
I would much rather stay home, cook for myself, read a good book, watch a movie from Netflix or surf the 'Net.
Anyone else feel like this?
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Sure, and some days we can't spend it fast enough.
There's a line between frugality and deprivation. I think the line is where frugality makes you happy (and proud enough to brag about it a little) while deprivation feels like the wall is growing higher faster than you can climb.
Sometimes avoiding a purchase will actually cost more in effort and lost revenue. I like the thought process of deciding how many hours you'll have to work for a purchase, but there's also the consideration of how many hours of work (or hassle) that capital expense could save you. And sometimes you have to have something because it's just so darn cool-- especially if it's from one of those kid science stores.
One way to feel a little better about the deprivation frugal plan is to budget a small amount-- say 2-5%-- for entertainment or other mindless spending. If it's budgeted then you don't feel bad about blowing it, and you can even keep saving it up for a massive blowout purchase. Then if you're not enjoying yourself you'll know it's not about the money-- it's about the activity itself.
Do you need a different set of friends and/or activities? Even after five years of ER I still refer to Ernie Zelinski's "Get-A-Life Tree" to see if I'm missing out on something...
__________________
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Co-author (with my daughter) of “Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence.”
Author of the book written on E-R.org: "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement."
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 10:45 AM
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#17
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,395
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Jay Gatsby, you sound fine to me, man. Just keep on keepin' on!
Now, if you said that you spend hours and hours each day on internet, then I think that would be a warning sign!
__________________
-- Telly, the D-I-Y guy --
Two fools dancing on the hands of time
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 10:49 AM
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#18
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Florida
Posts: 854
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Telly
Jay Gatsby, you sound fine to me, man. Just keep on keepin' on!
Now, if you said that you spend hours and hours each day on internet, then I think that would be a warning sign!
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You mean like those of us on this board? :
__________________
I would not have anyone adopt my mode of living...but I would have each one be very careful to find out and pursue his own way, and not his father's or his mother's or his neighbor's instead. Thoreau, Walden
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 10:53 AM
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#19
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,459
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
We have internet-connected devices all over the house (even in the garage, our backpacks, etc). I haven't decided if I should feel guilty about spending too much time on the net. Isn't that like spending too much time in the library?
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
04-23-2007, 10:55 AM
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#20
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 897
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Re: Strategies for living (and focusing less on money)
I can relate to you about the restaurant-ing. Maybe it's the fact I go to new ones, sometimes soon after they open. When I should wait until the 18-yr-olds staff get acquainted.
Nothing I hate more than forkin' over $75 for 4 people, and the service sucks, foods not that hot, and getting a table was an act of Congress. Even if it wasn't my money.
So now I stick with what I know and like.
I feel old by doing this, and I'm "only" 29.
I think runchman and others have nailed it. Save what you're going to save, first. Then "blow the rest".
-CC
__________________
"There's those thinkin' more or less, less is more, but if less is more, how you keepin' score?
It means for every point you make, your level drops. Kinda like you're startin' from the top..." "Society" - Eddie Vedder
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