A passing thought....
I recently skimmed an article suggesting it's best to live below your means. The article didn’t point out anything I haven’t heard before. Nor did it convince me this is an ideal philosophy to embrace. While most of it makes total (common) sense and I understand the concept in general, some aspects seem awfully limiting to me. Living below? How about living within my means? Yeah, that works just dandy for me.
I’m well aware that I need to avoid strangling debt and make a conscious effort to save for a comfortable retirement, but I’m not sure what benefit living "below" my means serves me well. Sure, it's important to save and stay away from financial woes through planning, saving, etc., but how much below are we talking? Does it mean missing out on something that, without sending me into bankruptcy, could bring added fulfillment to my life?
Perhaps I think this way because there are no college funds to worry about, nor is leaving a large sum of cash behind for ungrateful offspring on on my list at this point. Granted, I plan to leave my niece a generous “parting gift”, but I’m not forfeiting any relaxing vacays or rewarding life experiences to do so. Meet Susie Single…one mouth to feed, one body to clothe and, admittedly, a tad bit selfish.
If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.
~ Katherine Hepburn
No one over the age of 50 has ever said to me, "Gosh, I sure am glad I saved that money and didn't indulge in {insert indulgence of choice}". Nope, I’m more likely to hear something to the effect of, "Live your life, you can't take it with you.". Or, better yet, one of the infinite “shoulda, coulda, wouldas” we know all too well.
My parents always encouraged us to enjoy life, which I think was partly reflective of their unrealized goals and dreams. I refuse to be guilty-ridden about the choices I’ve made and that includes the way I choose to spend money. I work hard and need elements of fulfillment that may cost me a bit, I don't see the harm in that.
Bottom line…I’m not suggesting anyone go hog wild, but I believe we should life to the fullest, ultimately you're solely responsible for your happiness.
Living my life like it’s golden, because it is...
~ Selfish Susie Single
This is so true.. How can I slave and toil only to to live a miserly life?It totally doesnt make sense.
ReplyDeleteNice post anyday and opinion.
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I know how to live within my means and at times below, but i never, ever indulge in making me happy or even my family. By living within my means i have managed to save for vacations and things, and this is what i'm most proud of. I too believe in "living your life likes it golden", there is no other way!
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ReplyDeleteI think it's fair to say that living within ones means is reasonable. Living beneath your means can be loosely interpreted as someone who ALWAYS plays it "safe". Not that there is anything wrong with it but I can't imagine them having a life filled with a lot of good times LOL
ReplyDeletei feel you on this post. i often struggle between playing it safe and making the best of opportunities that arise. I wouldn't trade some of those great opportunities for the very little security that money would have provided me now.
ReplyDeleteSuzie...you don't sound selfish...just sensible!!!
ReplyDeleteMel, I totally agree. Living within your means sounds like the proper term...not below. Like you said, life is short...and trying to save for the rainy day that may either take too long...or you'll never SEE, seems kinda wack. LOL
ReplyDeleteLike you said...no breaking the bank, to the detriment of your ability to live with as little stress as possible, but DEFINITELY a sense of adventure thrown in to make it worth the while to have lived!
HEY SUGAH'---i left something on my blog for you---stop by and pick it up when you have time---love ya ma!
ReplyDeleteI like Miz know about living below and within my means, but by doing so I've been able to save for retirement, great vacations and great clothing. My husband and I work hard I play hard too all while making sure CJ will be taken care of when we leave this world.
ReplyDeleteSo if you're enjoying life and won't look back with regrets, DO YOU Darling! Life is for liviing!
I won't join the choir on this one, Curvy Girl, and I hope my point of view and these suggestions don't tick you off; that's not my intent.
ReplyDeleteOne job layoff and four months later you might be looking in your closets and around your home, wondering what you possibly were thinking when you bought stuff you wanted but didn't need.
Heavens forbid your car needs major repairs or replacement, or this so-called economic recession turns into the Great Depression II, or we go to war with Iran and the cost of gas jumps to $10 or more a gallon. My folks were quite young in the Great Depression and young adults in WWII, and they made it clear it was no picnic. They bought only what they could afford and saved saved saved, and later became very comfortable and always had money for a rainy day, or year for that matter.
My generation and yours has lived in the best of economic times, but I've figured that just because we never lived through social turmoil doesn't mean we won't, and I think we're almost back to where my folks were, so please do practice frugality, at least a little, until the signs are that things are settling down, okay?
Interesting post! My husband and and I are at opposite spectrums in this regard, and slowly, over time, we've managed to change our viewpoints to a more centralized, and common, ground. He was very frugal, to a fault, and I was a spender, to a fault. Now, he is trying to live life more for the day than for the future, and I am trying to put $$ away for a rainy day. All in all, it works out in the end. Usually. :o)
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree- one thing I've learned is that when you live within your means, as long as you aren't ridiculous about it you can actually be MORE happy with your life, because you aren't as worried about finances all the time!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
I've been living below my means for most of my life.LOL..
ReplyDeleteIt's more important for me to be happy now...Money doesn't have owners..only spenders.
Life is too short to be miserable and unhappy! tomorrow is not promised, we are to live each day like its our last...go right ahead Susie! Live girl! HI-5!
ReplyDeleteI think living below your means is a good idea if you have some long term goals you want to accopmlish.
ReplyDelete@Mizrepresent
ReplyDeleteI'm in agreement with you. Live within your means and you will never be broke. I have never been broke AND I have enjoyed life..Imagine that. Keeping my credit and finances straight has allowed me to have choices and not have someone else choose for me. Now that's living.
Sorry for the late response, fam. Gosh, to be honest, I didn't expect many responses so your feedback is great. As always, my blurting a passing thought made me realize there are many perspectives to consider. Sure, I'm rowing this boat alone at the moment but that could change at any time. Thanks for taking the time to respond!
ReplyDelete@KIT ~ You know it's all love, sis :-)! I appreciate your points and can even relate to what you've mentioned. You're right, I guess I should've put more details in this post. Funny thing is that I've been in-between jobs and that was a feeling I never want to experience again. I think that's shaped my thoughts on this too.