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Out spending what you make

March 21st, 2013 at 09:54 pm

Isn't it just too easy to outspend what you make? I personally struggle with the "I Wants" and could easily spend $1000 without trying too hard. Unlike Monkey Mama, I do have to use willpower.

Wait. That's not quite right. Most days are easy. I'm happy with where I'm at; I'm happy with what I have. But on bad days, I look at new clothes, new pans, a new laptop and want. I want a personal shopper, who tells me what looks good on me and what doesn't. I want Le Cruset and Calphalon pans. I want a Macbook Air. I resist because those things are expensive and I know I don't NEED them.

I read somewhere that it is easy to out eat what you exercise. In 10 minutes you could eat a McDs meal and undo over an hour of running. Same with money. Work all week to make money and it could be gone with one trip to the Apple store.

I think lately I have been having a bit of a pity party because all that is going on. But also, I seem to be hearing a lot about people who just spent money without thinking too much about it. I sometimes feel like I think too much about spending money. Two people who I thought were super-frugal just both raved about going to the Outlet Mall and spending oodles of money. They both seem like they can afford it--this isn't a tale of someone who is overdrawn and spending like crazy. These two people are "bring lunch from home" and "use coupon" people. Finding out that Outlet Mall shopping is a great way to spend the day to them was....surprising.

Not that I want to go to an Outlet Mall. For the most part, I dislike shopping. The idea of driving a few hours to go shopping all day pretty much makes me want to poke my eyes out. Lesson learned by me: people, even frugal seeming people, like to do things I don't like to do!!

3 Responses to “Out spending what you make”

  1. Petunia 100 Says:
    1363904967

    Lol, I would poke my eyes out before spending the day at an outlet mall too! I am not a shopper. UNLESS, I am shopping for a cruise, or a cruise tour, or a package trip someplace, or a beach house rental, or a bed and breakfast stay, or, or, or. Oh my, I can happily spend far beyond my means on that sort of thing.

  2. ceejay74 Says:
    1363911205

    Uh, yes. I greatly admire MonkeyMama's lack of DESIRE and her level of contentment. A Zen master of frugality. For me, I do have to pass up many many things that I'd buy if I could do so without hurting my future.

    Luckily, for me, it gets easier as time passes. I know that each purchase I deny or put off gets us closer to financial freedom. But that doesn't mean there isn't a part of me that misses splurging without thinking of the consequences. Luckily for my family, I'm not wired that way anymore and could never just spend without knowing what it meant to our budget. But I do miss some aspect of that.

  3. CB in the City Says:
    1363958793

    If it makes you feel any better, I have one Calphalon pan and I hate it.

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