A spender became a saver -- and became happier too!

[Anonymous]

I have always been a bit of a spender. My family had pretty good income growing up (with both parents in good professional jobs) and we took nice vacations, had nice clothes, and had a nice home. Granted, we lived in a low COL area. We were not extravagant by any means, but we had nice things (except that we always had modest cars).

I'm now in my mid-40's and living in the DC area. My DH and I have good professional jobs, but the cost of living is very high. Having grown up with nice things and having managed to get ourselves good jobs, I think I thought I could have all of the same things I had when growing up. We were always contributing to our 401(k)s and 529s, but never seemed to have a cushion of other money. We didn't have an emergency fund, for example.

About 18 months ago, I started reading Dave Ramsey and learning about the concept of frugality. At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, I confess that it had not previously occurred to me to live frugally. I thought I needed a certain level of everything.

We are now spending less and saving so much more, and have an emergency fund and actual savings outside of our 401(k). I've noticed that I am less stressed and more at peace. I've observed that being frugal is kind of like exercising -- you feel good when you do it.

This is just a tip in case there are other spenders on this forum, which I doubt since this forum seems to be mostly hard-core savers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have always been a bit of a spender. My family had pretty good income growing up (with both parents in good professional jobs) and we took nice vacations, had nice clothes, and had a nice home. Granted, we lived in a low COL area. We were not extravagant by any means, but we had nice things (except that we always had modest cars).

I'm now in my mid-40's and living in the DC area. My DH and I have good professional jobs, but the cost of living is very high. Having grown up with nice things and having managed to get ourselves good jobs, I think I thought I could have all of the same things I had when growing up. We were always contributing to our 401(k)s and 529s, but never seemed to have a cushion of other money. We didn't have an emergency fund, for example.

About 18 months ago, I started reading Dave Ramsey and learning about the concept of frugality. At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, I confess that it had not previously occurred to me to live frugally. I thought I needed a certain level of everything.

We are now spending less and saving so much more, and have an emergency fund and actual savings outside of our 401(k). I've noticed that I am less stressed and more at peace. I've observed that being frugal is kind of like exercising -- you feel good when you do it.

This is just a tip in case there are other spenders on this forum, which I doubt since this forum seems to be mostly hard-core savers.

Agreed! I'm a recovering spender and life is soooo much better when im managing with less. Saving can be addicting. Im so proud we now have a 6 month emergency fund.

[Anonymous]

Agree OP! I grew up poor so wanted to buy everything I could "afford" once I had enough salary. DH grew up UMC, but was raised by frugal parents and overtime he has brought me over to the other side. Not that we don't still splurge sometimes, but we recognize it for what it is, and we compensate by spending less on the big items - like mortgage and cars - and auto-deducting college, retirement, and and additional savings too.

[Anonymous]

I read a Millionaire Next Door while in college, and in a way, it totally changed my future life because it changed the way I thought about money. Like you, we lived pretty well growing up, and I figured that you were supposed to spend what you can to reach a certain level in order to, I don't know what, signal your success? Realize your own success?

I'm a totally different person in that regard to what people in college remember me as. And because I was lucky enough to discover this early on, we could easily retire by 40, if we so desired. We won't, but we might by 50.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read a Millionaire Next Door while in college, and in a way, it totally changed my future life because it changed the way I thought about money. Like you, we lived pretty well growing up, and I figured that you were supposed to spend what you can to reach a certain level in order to, I don't know what, signal your success? Realize your own success?

I'm a totally different person in that regard to what people in college remember me as. And because I was lucky enough to discover this early on, we could easily retire by 40, if we so desired. We won't, but we might by 50.

Agree with the Millionaire Next Door book. I had frugal, thoughtful parents so I learned financial discipline from them but this way of thinking reinforced my upbringing. I could retire tomorrow, at age 51, if I wanted. Modest house and old cars and lots of money in the bank.

[Anonymous]

I am definitely a recovering spender turned saver myself. I've been reading and listening to Dave Ramsey stuff and have another friend on the bandwagon as well.

[Anonymous]

Good for you! I watch some of my coworkers live paycheck to paycheck and that seems quite stressful. I love living modestly and splurging on things now and then. People don't realize just how much stuff they don't need.

[Anonymous]

M
I guess im somewhat thrifty, but you guys are indpiting me to save more. I did read millionaire next door several years -ago and turned on automatic savings, butbturned that off after we had an emergency fund. Now im thinking of doing auto deductions into the kids college funds, also maybe into Anne ndex fund outside of our retirement savings? Need to cut out buying lunch everyday. I am inconsistent about bringing coffee from home, so tend to buy it out. I have mostly cut out cabs, and take public transportation. My mom, who passed away last year, was so thrifty, tracking cents and balances like dcumers track calories and carbs. Ive never beengood at that, but i could put an effort into using coupons.

[Anonymous]

Yes, once you see your retirement accounts (and investment accounts) hit $100K, then $500K, then $1 million, I think savings becomes addictive- for me anyway

[Anonymous]

Spender here. I'm going to pick up this book! DH and I both grew up umc, and my family's lifestyle was the same as OP with nice things, and nice vacations, but still frugal. My dad was a doctor, yet we still always and only stayed at the holiday inn on vacation... with a military discount! DH's family lived by spreadsheets, and are known for making pennies scream. They gave me roses at my law school graduation, and then sent me an e-mail the next week asking for $13 for them.... Now that, is not how I ever want to live. I'm working on being more of a saver. Do I really need to eat or downtown D.C. At work 3x a week? Hell no! It's easy to just swipe my debit card, because we both make a nice salary. For us, it's about finding a nice balance. I know bring my lunch, cook more dinners at home, and stopped buying pointless expensive workout clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, once you see your retirement accounts (and investment accounts) hit $100K, then $500K, then $1 million, I think savings becomes addictive- for me anyway

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