FIRE-Traveler
Dryer sheet wannabe
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2021
- Messages
- 11
Hi everyone, this is my first post.
I just found this community today while searching Google, and after reading a few interesting threads decided to join.
I feel like there are a lot of like-minded people in here, but I'm wondering if one aspect of my perspective might be an outlier?
Short version: I'm too frugal (cheap?) and struggle with spending my money.
I'm in my 40's and "mostly" retired. I have a small business that doesn't take much time, but generates pretty good cash-flow. In addition, I have a lot of diverse investments.
My parents were both SUPER frugal. Even to the point where they died with a LOT of money. They could have had a much better life (and relationship with each other, family, and friends) had they spent more more and worried and stressed less about money.
You'd think I would have learned from that, and made better choices. Unfortunately, it's just ingrained in me to be frugal, which has also impacted my life and my relationships.
To try and force a different perspective, I've even put together a spreadsheet with "worst-case" scenarios, i.e., stock market tanks, business fails, house value plummets, kid's college is 5x more than the average, etc. etc. etc.
Basically: "If I live another 40-50 years, and worst-case most things falls apart, how much will I be able to spend monthly?"
... and even in that case, I'm still going to be just fine.
So, my questions for anybody reading and/or interested:
I'm honestly not trying to "humble-brag" or whatever the kids say. I'm very grateful that I have the opportunity to even have this "problem"... it definitely feels better than worrying about living month-to-month and not having the flexibility and safety that money can provide. I just wish I could overcome some of the frugality issues, and I'm very curious if I'm a statistical outlier in this group or no?
Looking forward to your thoughts and replies!
I just found this community today while searching Google, and after reading a few interesting threads decided to join.
I feel like there are a lot of like-minded people in here, but I'm wondering if one aspect of my perspective might be an outlier?
Short version: I'm too frugal (cheap?) and struggle with spending my money.
I'm in my 40's and "mostly" retired. I have a small business that doesn't take much time, but generates pretty good cash-flow. In addition, I have a lot of diverse investments.
My parents were both SUPER frugal. Even to the point where they died with a LOT of money. They could have had a much better life (and relationship with each other, family, and friends) had they spent more more and worried and stressed less about money.
You'd think I would have learned from that, and made better choices. Unfortunately, it's just ingrained in me to be frugal, which has also impacted my life and my relationships.
To try and force a different perspective, I've even put together a spreadsheet with "worst-case" scenarios, i.e., stock market tanks, business fails, house value plummets, kid's college is 5x more than the average, etc. etc. etc.
Basically: "If I live another 40-50 years, and worst-case most things falls apart, how much will I be able to spend monthly?"
... and even in that case, I'm still going to be just fine.
So, my questions for anybody reading and/or interested:
- Am I the only one that struggles with spending money?
- Does anybody else have problems with being "too frugal"?
- How does one overcome these kinds of struggles?
I'm honestly not trying to "humble-brag" or whatever the kids say. I'm very grateful that I have the opportunity to even have this "problem"... it definitely feels better than worrying about living month-to-month and not having the flexibility and safety that money can provide. I just wish I could overcome some of the frugality issues, and I'm very curious if I'm a statistical outlier in this group or no?
Looking forward to your thoughts and replies!