Posted by Anonymous on Sep 13, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
What's better being a better saver or a better spender?
Posted by feelinsoreal on Sep 13, 2007 · Member since Feb 2007 · 623 posts
Being a better saver allows you to be a better spender.
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Posted by LadyDragonfly1 on Sep 13, 2007 · Member since Feb 2003 · 600 posts
For me, it is some of both. It is having everything you truly need, gotten at the lowest possible price, bought second hand, redone, remade, use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without thing. If you do a lot of this and you do it with care...don't buy what you don't really need because it is a good price at a garage sale, and don't do it until you feel depressed and worthless...it will allow you to save more money.
Save wisely, but spend even more wisely.
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Posted by hespedal on Sep 13, 2007 · Member since Mar 2006 · 5259 posts
For me, it is some of both. It is having everything you truly need, gotten at the lowest possible price, bought second hand, redone, remade, use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without thing. If you do a lot of this and you do it with care...don't buy what you don't really need because it is a good price at a garage sale, and don't do it until you feel depressed and worthless...it will allow you to save more money.
Save wisely, but spend even more wisely.
i agree
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Posted by yabbitgirl on Sep 14, 2007 · Member since Apr 2006 · 14266 posts
LDF makes good points. I don't buy expensive processed foods, because I usually have time to cook and fresh is better anyway. I sometimes do splurge a bit on something if I know I'm going to use it constantly. If it's a "caprice" type item I will sometimes wait a week or two, and if I still want it (or indeed remember it), I may go back and look again. There's a blouse in a shop window near where I live that I really love, but...I have the feeling it will be expensive. So I'm waiting awhile, then I may go and ask how much it is. If it's under $30 I might have it; but if it's over that, no.
As Mrs Rasmussen remarks in her Book of One-Armed Cookery: if it cost 10c a pound and you didn't like it and threw some of it out, it was extravagant. If it cost $10 a pound and you shared it with someone you love, ate every crumb and licked the dish--it was a bargain! ;)
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Posted by hespedal on Sep 14, 2007 · Member since Mar 2006 · 5259 posts
spending wisely was always more important to me then saving. i actually never really set out to "save" money-- i just look at my spending as not wanting to waste the money :) over the last four years (since i moved to NY and started grad school) i managed to save enough money to take this year off just by not spending money on stuff i didn't really need. considering my income was under 15k a year, that's pretty awesome. i can't wait until i have a "real job" to see what my savings account will look like.
that's what i do... but i just take the school years easy and work work work in the summer.
i kind of decided recently that i am never going to work full time/ probably will never get a 'real job' because really, i don't need all that money.
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Posted by Tweety on Sep 14, 2007 · Member since Jan 2003 · 3135 posts
I've been pretty rotten at both, but have made improvements over time.
I still like to eat out at a fancy restaurant and tip lavishly. I still have a thing for new hardback books to add to my library. I still buy CDs. I just spent $170.00 on some original artwork/pottery that is now sitting in my living room collecting dust. I have a home thats 3 bedroom, 2-car garage that I live alone in. (But I do drive a Saturn). I just blew a ton of money on a vacation in Asheville staying at a nice suite in the mountains for $200.00 a day. I just gave my neice $200 cash to blow on whatever she wants to. I go bowling and go to yoga classes instead of doing it in my living room.
On the other hand I'm debt free other than my mortgage, no credit card debt and my car's paid for. I save and invest 10% of my salary and an additional 50.00 cash a week (25 goes into an internet account that is "do not touch" and the other $25.00 into my local saving account that is my fund for things around the house like painting, appliances that break down, car maintenance, etc. because there's always something). I do have a budget that I try to stick to as far as groceries and entertainment goes.
When I look at my retirement fund I'm pleased. When I look at how much I spend and how much I could have in the bank I'm disappointed.
Balance I suppose is the key. All in all as a nurse with a middle income, I suppose I don't do too badly even if I could do better.
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Posted by hespedal on Sep 14, 2007 · Member since Mar 2006 · 5259 posts
you seem like you are doing well, tweety. as long as you are happy with how you are spending your money.
my big things is just not consuming more than i need because i am big on sustainability...
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Posted by yabbitgirl on Sep 14, 2007 · Member since Apr 2006 · 14266 posts
I have a have 3 bedroom, 2-car garage that I live alone in. .
You live in a three-bedroom garage? So the Saturn is your roomie. ;D ;D ;D
Just teasing you, Tweety!!
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Posted by Tweety on Sep 14, 2007 · Member since Jan 2003 · 3135 posts
I have a have 3 bedroom, 2-car garage that I live alone in. .
You live in a three-bedroom garage? So the Saturn is your roomie. ;D ;D ;D
Just teasing you, Tweety!!
Just, it's all I got in the divorce. LOL
Just call me the typo man.
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Posted by Tweety on Sep 14, 2007 · Member since Jan 2003 · 3135 posts
spending wisely was always more important to me then saving. i actually never really set out to "save" money-- i just look at my spending as not wanting to waste the money :) over the last four years (since i moved to NY and started grad school) i managed to save enough money to take this year off just by not spending money on stuff i didn't really need. considering my income was under 15k a year, that's pretty awesome. i can't wait until i have a "real job" to see what my savings account will look like.
that's what i do... but i just take the school years easy and work work work in the summer.
i kind of decided recently that i am never going to work full time/ probably will never get a 'real job' because really, i don't need all that money.
Thanks.
I'd like to think that I don't overconsume, other than books and music. Sometimes I do think about selling the house and downsizing my life to a more simple one, so I'm not a slave to my mortgage. In today's real estate market, it would be a hard sell becausing nothing is selling right now, and then I'd spend just as much on rent or a smaller house because we bought (my ex and I) at the right time about 7 years ago right before a massive increase in home prices and rent. I'm not really interested in moving either. I definately have no right to complain whatsoever.
So I need to work full time and probably am never going to be able to afford to take a year off, but I'm happy and learning to be more green.
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Posted by SnowQueen690 on Sep 14, 2007 · Member since Jun 2005 · 1569 posts
spending wisely was always more important to me then saving. i actually never really set out to "save" money-- i just look at my spending as not wanting to waste the money :) over the last four years (since i moved to NY and started grad school) i managed to save enough money to take this year off just by not spending money on stuff i didn't really need. considering my income was under 15k a year, that's pretty awesome. i can't wait until i have a "real job" to see what my savings account will look like.
that's what i do... but i just take the school years easy and work work work in the summer.
i kind of decided recently that i am never going to work full time/ probably will never get a 'real job' because really, i don't need all that money.
HA!!! That sounds familuar. That is what I said before I graduated with my enineering degree. But as soon as the student loans started...wham...my paychecks are gone and I am left standing there deciding between Kroger brand peanut butter or the more expensive natural peanut butter. You will need the money once you get out of college, belive me! The money will be gone.
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Posted by laurabs on Sep 14, 2007 · Member since Jul 2006 · 2610 posts
I'm such a horder of things - money mostly. I hate spending it, to be honest. I always try to get the bang for my buck, as they say. so, I'm a smart saver, I guess. or both? I don't know... :)
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Posted by hespedal on Sep 14, 2007 · Member since Mar 2006 · 5259 posts
spending wisely was always more important to me then saving. i actually never really set out to "save" money-- i just look at my spending as not wanting to waste the money :) over the last four years (since i moved to NY and started grad school) i managed to save enough money to take this year off just by not spending money on stuff i didn't really need. considering my income was under 15k a year, that's pretty awesome. i can't wait until i have a "real job" to see what my savings account will look like.
that's what i do... but i just take the school years easy and work work work in the summer.
i kind of decided recently that i am never going to work full time/ probably will never get a 'real job' because really, i don't need all that money.
HA!!! That sounds familuar. That is what I said before I graduated with my enineering degree. But as soon as the student loans started...wham...my paychecks are gone and I am left standing there deciding between Kroger brand peanut butter or the more expensive natural peanut butter. You will need the money once you get out of college, belive me! The money will be gone.
hmmm... i am not sure if you had the same situation as me but i saved up enough (and went to a cheap enough school) that i didn't have to take out any loans and i am paying for everything (all of my bills, all of my rent, food...) myself. i don't have parental help or anything. so, basically, i feel that if i can get by paying for school and everything else right now, i should be able to afford only the 'everything else' when i graduate no problem.
Being a better saver allows you to be a better spender.
For me, it is some of both. It is having everything you truly need, gotten at the lowest possible price, bought second hand, redone, remade, use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without thing. If you do a lot of this and you do it with care...don't buy what you don't really need because it is a good price at a garage sale, and don't do it until you feel depressed and worthless...it will allow you to save more money.
Save wisely, but spend even more wisely.
For me, it is some of both. It is having everything you truly need, gotten at the lowest possible price, bought second hand, redone, remade, use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without thing. If you do a lot of this and you do it with care...don't buy what you don't really need because it is a good price at a garage sale, and don't do it until you feel depressed and worthless...it will allow you to save more money.
Save wisely, but spend even more wisely.
i agree
LDF makes good points. I don't buy expensive processed foods, because I usually have time to cook and fresh is better anyway. I sometimes do splurge a bit on something if I know I'm going to use it constantly. If it's a "caprice" type item I will sometimes wait a week or two, and if I still want it (or indeed remember it), I may go back and look again. There's a blouse in a shop window near where I live that I really love, but...I have the feeling it will be expensive. So I'm waiting awhile, then I may go and ask how much it is. If it's under $30 I might have it; but if it's over that, no.
As Mrs Rasmussen remarks in her Book of One-Armed Cookery: if it cost 10c a pound and you didn't like it and threw some of it out, it was extravagant. If it cost $10 a pound and you shared it with someone you love, ate every crumb and licked the dish--it was a bargain! ;)
spending wisely was always more important to me then saving. i actually never really set out to "save" money-- i just look at my spending as not wanting to waste the money :) over the last four years (since i moved to NY and started grad school) i managed to save enough money to take this year off just by not spending money on stuff i didn't really need. considering my income was under 15k a year, that's pretty awesome. i can't wait until i have a "real job" to see what my savings account will look like.
that's what i do... but i just take the school years easy and work work work in the summer.
i kind of decided recently that i am never going to work full time/ probably will never get a 'real job' because really, i don't need all that money.
I've been pretty rotten at both, but have made improvements over time.
I still like to eat out at a fancy restaurant and tip lavishly. I still have a thing for new hardback books to add to my library. I still buy CDs. I just spent $170.00 on some original artwork/pottery that is now sitting in my living room collecting dust. I have a home thats 3 bedroom, 2-car garage that I live alone in. (But I do drive a Saturn). I just blew a ton of money on a vacation in Asheville staying at a nice suite in the mountains for $200.00 a day. I just gave my neice $200 cash to blow on whatever she wants to. I go bowling and go to yoga classes instead of doing it in my living room.
On the other hand I'm debt free other than my mortgage, no credit card debt and my car's paid for. I save and invest 10% of my salary and an additional 50.00 cash a week (25 goes into an internet account that is "do not touch" and the other $25.00 into my local saving account that is my fund for things around the house like painting, appliances that break down, car maintenance, etc. because there's always something). I do have a budget that I try to stick to as far as groceries and entertainment goes.
When I look at my retirement fund I'm pleased. When I look at how much I spend and how much I could have in the bank I'm disappointed.
Balance I suppose is the key. All in all as a nurse with a middle income, I suppose I don't do too badly even if I could do better.
you seem like you are doing well, tweety. as long as you are happy with how you are spending your money.
my big things is just not consuming more than i need because i am big on sustainability...
I have a have 3 bedroom, 2-car garage that I live alone in. .
You live in a three-bedroom garage? So the Saturn is your roomie.
;D ;D ;D
Just teasing you, Tweety!!
I have a have 3 bedroom, 2-car garage that I live alone in. .
You live in a three-bedroom garage? So the Saturn is your roomie.
;D ;D ;D
Just teasing you, Tweety!!
Just, it's all I got in the divorce. LOL
Just call me the typo man.
spending wisely was always more important to me then saving. i actually never really set out to "save" money-- i just look at my spending as not wanting to waste the money :) over the last four years (since i moved to NY and started grad school) i managed to save enough money to take this year off just by not spending money on stuff i didn't really need. considering my income was under 15k a year, that's pretty awesome. i can't wait until i have a "real job" to see what my savings account will look like.
that's what i do... but i just take the school years easy and work work work in the summer.
i kind of decided recently that i am never going to work full time/ probably will never get a 'real job' because really, i don't need all that money.
Thanks.
I'd like to think that I don't overconsume, other than books and music. Sometimes I do think about selling the house and downsizing my life to a more simple one, so I'm not a slave to my mortgage. In today's real estate market, it would be a hard sell becausing nothing is selling right now, and then I'd spend just as much on rent or a smaller house because we bought (my ex and I) at the right time about 7 years ago right before a massive increase in home prices and rent. I'm not really interested in moving either. I definately have no right to complain whatsoever.
So I need to work full time and probably am never going to be able to afford to take a year off, but I'm happy and learning to be more green.
spending wisely was always more important to me then saving. i actually never really set out to "save" money-- i just look at my spending as not wanting to waste the money :) over the last four years (since i moved to NY and started grad school) i managed to save enough money to take this year off just by not spending money on stuff i didn't really need. considering my income was under 15k a year, that's pretty awesome. i can't wait until i have a "real job" to see what my savings account will look like.
that's what i do... but i just take the school years easy and work work work in the summer.
i kind of decided recently that i am never going to work full time/ probably will never get a 'real job' because really, i don't need all that money.
HA!!! That sounds familuar. That is what I said before I graduated with my enineering degree. But as soon as the student loans started...wham...my paychecks are gone and I am left standing there deciding between Kroger brand peanut butter or the more expensive natural peanut butter. You will need the money once you get out of college, belive me! The money will be gone.
I'm such a horder of things - money mostly. I hate spending it, to be honest. I always try to get the bang for my buck, as they say. so, I'm a smart saver, I guess. or both? I don't know... :)
spending wisely was always more important to me then saving. i actually never really set out to "save" money-- i just look at my spending as not wanting to waste the money :) over the last four years (since i moved to NY and started grad school) i managed to save enough money to take this year off just by not spending money on stuff i didn't really need. considering my income was under 15k a year, that's pretty awesome. i can't wait until i have a "real job" to see what my savings account will look like.
that's what i do... but i just take the school years easy and work work work in the summer.
i kind of decided recently that i am never going to work full time/ probably will never get a 'real job' because really, i don't need all that money.
HA!!! That sounds familuar. That is what I said before I graduated with my enineering degree. But as soon as the student loans started...wham...my paychecks are gone and I am left standing there deciding between Kroger brand peanut butter or the more expensive natural peanut butter. You will need the money once you get out of college, belive me! The money will be gone.
hmmm... i am not sure if you had the same situation as me but i saved up enough (and went to a cheap enough school) that i didn't have to take out any loans and i am paying for everything (all of my bills, all of my rent, food...) myself. i don't have parental help or anything. so, basically, i feel that if i can get by paying for school and everything else right now, i should be able to afford only the 'everything else' when i graduate no problem.