If you are gradually downgrading your lifestyle...what do you miss?

[Anonymous]

I miss going on vacations. We’ve cut back in most of the obvious areas- shopping, dining out, etc, I don’t miss that as much, but I enjoy travel.

[Anonymous]

I’ve had to cut my expenses by about 75% due to a divorce. What I miss the most is the feeling of financial security…that if a problem came up, I could handle it without worrying about money. Now everything feels like a risk and the fear consumes me.

I have a roof over my head but nothing that feels like a long-term home.

I miss being able to treat my grown kids to a nice dinner out or help them with something they might not buy for themselves,

Health insurance costs keep me up at night.

My situation is different than most here, but never thought I’d be in this spot. I miss travel, restaurants, the occasional splurge, but it’s the emotions of having much less money that make this so difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I miss going on vacations. We’ve cut back in most of the obvious areas- shopping, dining out, etc, I don’t miss that as much, but I enjoy travel.

If you really miss vacations, you should look into joining Home Exchange. Guess what, there are others like you that also want to save money.

Only problem is you need to live somewhere that people want to visit. So, if you live in or near DC, you will find takers (all over the world or just people living in NYC)...but if you live in say Hagerstown, MD, then it's not going to work very well for you.

[Anonymous]

-housecleaner

-eating out locally. I can't remember the last night we ate out when not on vacation.

-clothing purchases for trends or for fun. No more buying a sweater just because I like it or a style because it's "in". All my clothing purchases are utilitarian--i.e a new winter coat because my previous one (and I now only have one) is shabby.

We still travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve had to cut my expenses by about 75% due to a divorce. What I miss the most is the feeling of financial security…that if a problem came up, I could handle it without worrying about money. Now everything feels like a risk and the fear consumes me.

I have a roof over my head but nothing that feels like a long-term home.

I miss being able to treat my grown kids to a nice dinner out or help them with something they might not buy for themselves,

Health insurance costs keep me up at night.

My situation is different than most here, but never thought I’d be in this spot. I miss travel, restaurants, the occasional splurge, but it’s the emotions of having much less money that make this so difficult.

This sounds scary. Is there a way you could do a side gig to increase your income level? Move to a LCOL location? It doesn’t sound sustainable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised at this thread. I have not done most of the things on this list that people have cut. I guess the key is to not start doing these things in the first place and then you’re not going to miss them.

Did I write that? Same here. I never cared for any of the stuff. I just live the way I lived as a child. Didn't want much but to be outside. I don't want much now.