Do people get more and more frugal and stingy as they age? Why is that?

[MichaelB]

Yes, memories of less expensive days do matter and can affect the decision process.

However, this doesn’t apply to the 2 examples in the OP, cell phones and laptops. Cell phones didn’t exist “back then” and laptops were less powerful and more expensive. There must other reasons the OP’s in-laws don’t want to buy the products OP is advocating. Just because they say it’s the price doesn’t mean that’s the real reason.

After 150 posts I think we don’t have any more insight into what they really feel.

 

[audreyh1]

I hadn’t thought about it until this thread, but losing the ability to plan (and carry through) must be one of the first things that goes during major cognitive decline. That’s scary!

 

[latexman]

After 150 posts I think we don’t have any more insight into what they really feel.

I think of it like this. When the CPU starts to go, there's no telling what the output may be!

 

[street]

I hadn’t thought about it until this thread, but losing the ability to plan (and carry through) must be one of the first things that goes during major cognitive decline. That’s scary!

Yes, and I like things now to be less complicated and easier to get what I want now. The world hasn't made that an easier but more demanding. We change as we age and we like to take the route of less resistant's.

 

[Twinbrow]

I would say I am frugal, but I would also say I don't need much and have never really bought into the "Got To Have It" lifestyle either. Might be a few different reasons. Not really where I want to be for full retirement, have lost it all twice in my life and I feel my body getting to a place that is not as resilient as it was 50 years ago.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

On December 31 I wrote out a check for a brand new car. On the way home I stopped at a station and would not pay $2.oo for a candy bar. Too darn expensive.

 

[street]

On December 31 I wrote out a check for a brand new car. On the way home I stopped at a station and would not pay $2.oo for a candy bar. Too darn expensive.

LOL!!! Yep, that is me to a T. Interesting how the mind works when money is involved.

 

[ls99]

My $ to value of the thing or service, ratio keeps evolving.

 

[Chuckanut]

I like to get good value when I spend a dollar. I was never a highly paid individual. I got to FIRE because of my thrifty habits combined with a bit of financial learning.

Besides, the number of expensive things that would really improve my quality of life is limited. What I need now is more comfort, and good times with friends and family, not more stuff.

I do spend more on paying others to do things that I can no longer do or do safely.

 

[FIYes]

Chuckanut, you described my situation exactly. The only thing I would add is that I’m spending more on upgraded travel as I realize our years to travel are running out faster than our travel budget.

 

[brett]

Not an issue for me. If anything I am the opposite. I expect value but I am in no way recuctant to spend a dollar on myself or on others.

Bottom line for me....why sweat the small stuff? Better to spend 80 percent of your time on the 20 percent (or less) of things that really count. And no, I am not driving across town to same 25 cents on a can of beans.

 

[Sunset]

I hadn’t thought about it until this thread, but losing the ability to plan (and carry through) must be one of the first things that goes during major cognitive decline. That’s scary!

Maybe that's why I tend to book refundable rooms now.

It did help, when I booked a place in Kyoto, then read some of the 33 pages of rules they sent me, and after a week decided I should cancel and book beside the train station.

 

[zangbao]

I just booked a $650 a night at a resort. The most I've ever paid a night for a vacation. But I'm still researching on how to get from the airport to the hotel using public transportation as I feel the taxis are too expensive.

 

[HappilyRetired]

We all saved for so long, it just became a habit. Now we need to practice spending which is foreign to us! And as Baby Boomers we grew up with frugal parents who lived in the Great Depression and that made its mark as well. I never knew one could have just so many plastic bags! You never know when you will need them and they used to be free! Haha

 

[pacergal]

plastic bags....reminds me that my Grandma used to save bread bags, plastic bags and make braided rugs for outside doorways! Child of the depression, frugal always.
But she could also put together a great meal with very limited ingredients. Loved that lady.

 

[wearefinishedworking]

My 87 year old mother is getting worse by the day. When in her 50s and 60s, she DID spend on what she wanted or gifts for her family! Now she is standing in the Dollar General comparing cost per roll of TP and paper towels. Drives us nuts, we want her to spend and there is plenty laying around to do it with!

 

[Teacher Terry]

plastic bags....reminds me that my Grandma used to save bread bags, plastic bags and make braided rugs for outside doorways! Child of the depression, frugal always.
But she could also put together a great meal with very limited ingredients. Loved that lady.

Locally a group here makes sleeping mats for the homeless out of plastic bags. They cut them into strips and weave them. They are always asking on the Nextdoor app for donations. As plastic bags are still free here they get plenty of free bags.