Help! I am a serial spender.....

[Anonymous]

You can marry more money in a minute than you can make in a lifetime. Enjoy and marry well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What shocked me OP into changing my ways was meeting people in their retirement years who had nothing. They were barely surviving on what SS they got, some were eating dog food (I’m dead serious), one lady could only afford cans of tuna, one guy told me he only ate one meal a day because he needed money for his meds; needless to say, I vowed to never end up like them and I’ve done a complete 180.

How did you meet people like this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so although I make a good living, contribute to 401k, save, I could be doing way more of this. Now that I am in my 30s I am starting to feel guilty and stupid for the amount of money I waste on happy hours, eating out, shopping, anything. I work two jobs so I think for a long time I have justified it with I work hard so why not play hard. Does anyone else have the problem? How did you change your habits?

Are you afraid you will always be like this? Because if you are single, not in debt, and saving $ it's fine. I tended to be too frugal at that age and should have spent more -but only on travel and experiences including eating and drinking with friends. Don't feel guilty or worried unless you have a spending addiction or are riding the hedonistic treadmill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What shocked me OP into changing my ways was meeting people in their retirement years who had nothing. They were barely surviving on what SS they got, some were eating dog food (I’m dead serious), one lady could only afford cans of tuna, one guy told me he only ate one meal a day because he needed money for his meds; needless to say, I vowed to never end up like them and I’ve done a complete 180.

How did you meet people like this?

Working and volunteering at various hospitals.

[Anonymous]

1. Buy new shoes from Zappos. Prance around the house in them and realize they’re not that great.
2. Return shoes. Free shipping.
3. Repeat.

Congratulations, you are sticking it to the man! They are losing money and you get to shop a little.

[Anonymous]

Cut up your credit cards.
Read the book "Your money or your life"
Then start paying cash for evertyhing.
When you hand over each $20 or $100, you will start to think, "was that worth an hour (or 2 or 10) of me working?"

Once you start equating your spending to the hours, days, weeks of work you do, you start being more careful with it.
Do you want to retire when you're 55 or 75?

[Anonymous]

I just considered my savings as a "bill." Every month when I got paid, ~$200 went into a savings account. Also every month, the max allowed by law went into a Roth IRA account. And the max allowed by law went into my 401k. After that, I spent my money as I pleased. I didn't worry if I was being frivolous, went out to eat, bought a new shirt, etc. The savings was happening, and that was all that mattered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you are young and single going out to happy hours, vacations, nice clothes, decent car is an investment.

on-line shopping, starbucks, restaurant meals unless you are a male on a date are a waste. It serves no purpose.

As long as you keep the 401K up and don't go into debt who cares what you spend if single. When you are married plenty of years to save.

There is a saying you Can't be Young when you are Old.

Fancy vacations, nice car, living in a trendy city, when you are 70 and retired is boring.

When I was broke and 29 and single I bought a used Mercedes convertible that was 18 years old with 110,000 miles. Top down with a wash and wax no one knew the difference and remember I was dating 25- 29 year old girls so what did they know. Had it till I was 34 and go married. Took my wife on first date in it. My wife laughs now as she realizes what a piece of junk it was, our first date car was now 21 year old with like 120K miles, but when she heard for first date I was picking her up in a Mercedes Convertible with top down she bought a new outfit. Now I am a cheapskate and would never pay all the dam maintence and repairs that old car cost me. Live life.

I like you

[Anonymous]

OP do you have debt?
If not, enjoy the money and the fun it brings.
That is what $ is for.
(I have 3 children and the $$$ is spent on them)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can marry more money in a minute than you can make in a lifetime. Enjoy and marry well

The ultimate female retirement plan!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can marry more money in a minute than you can make in a lifetime. Enjoy and marry well

The ultimate female retirement plan!

Thank goodness SOME men are smart enough not to get with a woman like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so although I make a good living, contribute to 401k, save, I could be doing way more of this. Now that I am in my 30s I am starting to feel guilty and stupid for the amount of money I waste on happy hours, eating out, shopping, anything. I work two jobs so I think for a long time I have justified it with I work hard so why not play hard. Does anyone else have the problem? How did you change your habits?

I got married and my wife set me straight. Best thing ever to happen to me financially. I still have my toys, including a >$100k car, eat out, etc, but I am much smarter about spending money. I used to waste money on meaningless little things. If you spend $300, for example, ask yourself the different ways you could spend that $300 and what would have brought you the most enjoyment.