I want to gear down now, work less, live on less. My dear departed Mom used to say "A penny saved is a penny earned ". That came from Poor Richard's Almanac she told me, Ben Franklin's collection of wisdom.
Many nurses are caught on the hamster wheel, working a lot and living high on the hog. They buy expensive cars, houses, boats, RVS on credit, go on pricy trips, and work like dogs to pay for it, one illness or accident away from financial distress.
You read on this site how many of us are burnt out. In real life I see that as well, and know more about my coworker's lives. I see a lot of expensive and wasteful habits out there.
This thread is for those interested in a simpler, less consumerist lifestyle. How can we enjoy life more, with more free time but less money? Spending less time at the nursing grindstone might relieve stress too!
Kidding. This is the BEST answer, and of course, you are completely right.
I was raised this way, just got kind of caught up in stuff along the way.
My cuticles look good, doe.
My friend has a manicure done monthly to complement her ring fetish. She loves jewelry and spends over a thousand a year on fine jewelry by Effy or Levian. She takes her grandchild with her to get manicures as a girls out thing. Unfortunately she can't afford it and has no retirement savings, will have a mortgage in retirement and will have only her social security and small pension to pay the bills. I worry about how she will manage. If only she had put some of the many thousands of dollars she spent on jewelry and trips into a retirement account she would be in a much better place financially.
Kidding. This is the BEST answer, and of course, you are completely right.
I was raised this way, just got kind of caught up in stuff along the way.
My cuticles look good, doe.
My friend has a manicure done monthly to complement her ring fetish. She loves jewelry and spends over a thousand a year on fine jewelry by Effy or Levian. She takes her grandchild with her to get manicures as a girls out thing. Unfortunately she can't afford it and has no retirement savings, will have a mortgage in retirement and will have only her social security and small pension to pay the bills. I don't know how she is going to manage when she retires.
Just boggles the mind, doesn't it?
On the other hand, sometimes these threads devolve into a "I'm more frugal than thou" contest. It's good to live within one's means, and saving for retirement is critical. But in addition to hard work and attention to the future, it's okay to have fun once in a while or splurge from time to time. You sure can't take it with you.
It's good to live within one's means, and saving for retirement is critical. But in addition to hard work and attention to the future, it's okay to have fun once in a while or splurge from time to time. You sure can't take it with you.
I think of it this way: There is a big difference between splurging once in a while on something special ... and over-spending as a way of life. Unfortunately, too many people don't recognize the difference.
Did you ever see that TV show called something like, "Extreme Cheapskates" or whatever? Those people go to far. One family even kept used toilet paper in the bathroom to be re-used by the next person. That was disgusting! No, I'm not that frugal. I like a few creature comforts and treats. I appreciate the finer things of life. I just keep my daily habits within the range of sensible and within my financial means.
I think of it this way: There is a big difference between splurging once in a while on something special ... and over-spending as a way of life. Unfortunately, too many people don't recognize the difference.
Oh, that's definitely true.
My dad is the opposite. Pathologically "frugal." In his mid 70's, he got a new accountant, who told him "you've been living extremely below your means for too long. You're in good shape. Take a vacation or buy your wife something special!" My Dad said, "no, I want to leave a legacy to my kids."
When I heard this, I told my Dad, "Don't you even think of leaving me any money! Take my share and spend it traveling, which you've always wanted to do." Well, one cruise into their new enjoyment of the fruits of their labors, Dad's wife began having health problems. Good news is that their insurance is more than up to the task. Bad news is she is basically house bound, and they will never get to enjoy their money.
Did you ever see that TV show called something like, "Extreme Cheapskates" or whatever? Those people go to far. One family even kept used toilet paper in the bathroom to be re-used by the next person. That was disgusting! No, I'm not that frugal. I like a few creature comforts and treats. I appreciate the finer things of life. I just keep my daily habits within the range of sensible and within my financial means.
Okay, that's about the worst thing I've ever heard of!
I did know of a neighbor who proudly admitted that he saved and used toilet paper he took down from trees whenever his kids' friends toilet papered their house. I thought that was bad!
Kidding. This is the BEST answer, and of course, you are completely right.
I was raised this way, just got kind of caught up in stuff along the way.
My cuticles look good, doe.
My friend has a manicure done monthly to complement her ring fetish. She loves jewelry and spends over a thousand a year on fine jewelry by Effy or Levian. She takes her grandchild with her to get manicures as a girls out thing. Unfortunately she can't afford it and has no retirement savings, will have a mortgage in retirement and will have only her social security and small pension to pay the bills. I worry about how she will manage. If only she had put some of the many thousands of dollars she spent on jewelry and trips into a retirement account she would be in a much better place financially.
I sold most of my jewelry when gold was super high. The ex BF stuff. I went with my friend and she tried to sell hers too... And it was fake! Oops.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Another really valuable tip I picked up is that if your frugality measures are getting to the point you are feeling surly and deprived all the time, have yourself what you think of as a "splurge" which could just be that $4.00 iced caramel macchiato or take-out dinner you could have made at home. It's fun and most people aren't going to go off the deep end.
Don't forget to be stashing away for down the road/retirement during all this. So many people I know never did and it has bit them in the ass. When you are young is the best time to start!
You guys have given me some awesome ideas to add to my way of living also. I do splurge here and there. But only if I can pay cash and all of my other bills are paid for the month. My ex has been real bad about paying child support on time. He has been as much as 8 weeks behind before. It truly help me out tons when I had to pull from the money I had been putting away for a few months instead of being late on my bills and paying late fees or having to pull from my investments as it is how I have been making money the past couple of years. Or even if it is a week or two late, I stash some cash around the house to go and buy food with. If he would just pay consistently whether it is every week or once a month I could plan better. I know he does it just to drive me crazy!!!
I had to have a gastroscopy done a couple of weeks ago and I have the money set aside to pay for what my insurance doesn't. I like the security of knowing when an emergency like that comes up, I can pay.
My splurge for the month was taking my son and my boyfriend to a minor league baseball game. I got us front row tickets down the first base line so my son could get some autographs. He loved it and those are moments in life you can't get back. My boyfriend sat beside my son and taught him all about the game (my son only knew the basics). Having him say to me, mommy, this was the best night of my life, was worth more than any retirement fund.
brandy1017, ASN, RN
2,910 Posts