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I’m 100% the opposite way. My wife is very frugal, but I save nothing. What’s the point of pinching every single penny? That’s not life; it’s survival. Even mor

by maxaf 7y ago

I’m 100% the opposite way. My wife is very frugal, but I save nothing. What’s the point of pinching every single penny? That’s not life; it’s survival. Even more ironic is the fact that this is multiple decades of mere survival all aimed towards one goal: ensuring survival in those decades when work is no longer possible. Perhaps I’m obtuse, but this isn’t a life worth living. I want to enjoy my healthy years in the here and now. I like my disposable income, I like living in a nice neighborhood, I like taking vacations, I like eating out. I’m keenly aware that I’ll be left penniless once I can no longer work, but I have a plan for that. Until then, I have a couple of good decades left, so I’ll enjoy this time together with my family. I’ll cross that other bridge when I get there.

mrlala 7y ago
I like the breaking of the mold. I hate the world that has been created in which our daily life is somehow working toward this magic retirement years. I see people that age, some are in good shape, a lot are not. A lot die before they even get to enjoy that. What is the point?
pfortuny 7y ago
This (the writer’s view) is what anxiety makes you think. And as an expert in anxiety (by experience, not study) I can tell you: no, that is not a life worth living. You are a slave of your future.
losvedir 7y ago
On the contrary, living paycheck to paycheck is survival. Being able to just say "fuck it" and walk from a job that's bothering you, or investing in a business idea you get, or starting a family dynasty, these are taking advantage of and enjoying life to the fullest. I live frugally, and I feel like my accumulating wealth is a laser cannon strapped to my back, ready to deploy as I see fit. The freedom is exhilarating.
Reedx 7y ago
One of the problems with this strategy is that it ends up becoming a burden to your family and others (who sacrificed to save for a rainy day). And it may happen sooner than you think. > I’m keenly aware that I’ll be left penniless once I can no longer work, but I have a plan for that. What's the plan?
- OsTaBLer 7y ago
  I too really want to know. I'm guessing living off the state? I know that's the case for most people I know, but pensions are all managed by the state where I live so you don't really a choice. You get a baseline poverty level income even if you never paid taxes.
- _nhynes 7y ago
  > What's the plan? I have a morbid, but sneaking suspicion that that it's the latter half of "live fast, die young." Maybe I'm just projecting, though ;)
- chongli 7y ago
  What's the plan? The post sounded to me like the Smith and Wesson retirement plan.
- losvedir 7y ago
  > What's the plan? His frugal wife's savings maybe...? I hope not.
throwaway76792 7y ago
I'm... not nearly as extreme as the author, but pretty frugal. Not "rent out most of the house" frugal, but "make and stick to shopping lists", "spend a couple of days mulling over a purchase of 0.05% of my income" frugal. My spouse is like you. Just a word of advice that you may already do. Please have very good communication with your wife about financial matters. This situation is very stressful for the frugal person, and it has caused all of our biggest arguments. The only thing we've found to help is very clear communication.
tomcam 7y ago
what happens if there’s a severe downturn in the economy?
acjohnson55 7y ago
I lived more or less that way until age 30. But then as my income rose dramatically, my lifestyle gradually grew in cost as well. But I don't think that cost is truly buying me more fun. I had a ton of fun in my younger years on a lot less income. And as I've put in the effort to be more mindful of my spending, it's felt more liberating than anything else. All this to say, you might also find it can actually feel better to do other things with money than spending it.
joncrane 7y ago
>I’m keenly aware that I’ll be left penniless once I can no longer work, but I have a plan for that. What's your plan?
amehyst 7y ago
The author is frugal as a hobby and for her blog. She has close to $2 million net worth and her husband most likely earns $300k+. Extreme frugality is impractical from a time/$ perspective but that doesn't concern her because she doesn't need to worry about money or about developing a career.

by maxaf 7y ago

mrlala 7y ago

I like the breaking of the mold. I hate the world that has been created in which our daily life is somehow working toward this magic retirement years. I see people that age, some are in good shape, a lot are not. A lot die before they even get to enjoy that. What is the point?

pfortuny 7y ago

This (the writer’s view) is what anxiety makes you think. And as an expert in anxiety (by experience, not study) I can tell you: no, that is not a life worth living. You are a slave of your future.

losvedir 7y ago

On the contrary, living paycheck to paycheck is survival. Being able to just say "fuck it" and walk from a job that's bothering you, or investing in a business idea you get, or starting a family dynasty, these are taking advantage of and enjoying life to the fullest. I live frugally, and I feel like my accumulating wealth is a laser cannon strapped to my back, ready to deploy as I see fit. The freedom is exhilarating.

Reedx 7y ago

One of the problems with this strategy is that it ends up becoming a burden to your family and others (who sacrificed to save for a rainy day). And it may happen sooner than you think. > I’m keenly aware that I’ll be left penniless once I can no longer work, but I have a plan for that. What's the plan?

OsTaBLer 7y ago
I too really want to know. I'm guessing living off the state? I know that's the case for most people I know, but pensions are all managed by the state where I live so you don't really a choice. You get a baseline poverty level income even if you never paid taxes.
_nhynes 7y ago
> What's the plan? I have a morbid, but sneaking suspicion that that it's the latter half of "live fast, die young." Maybe I'm just projecting, though ;)
chongli 7y ago
What's the plan? The post sounded to me like the Smith and Wesson retirement plan.
losvedir 7y ago
> What's the plan? His frugal wife's savings maybe...? I hope not.

throwaway76792 7y ago

I'm... not nearly as extreme as the author, but pretty frugal. Not "rent out most of the house" frugal, but "make and stick to shopping lists", "spend a couple of days mulling over a purchase of 0.05% of my income" frugal. My spouse is like you. Just a word of advice that you may already do. Please have very good communication with your wife about financial matters. This situation is very stressful for the frugal person, and it has caused all of our biggest arguments. The only thing we've found to help is very clear communication.

tomcam 7y ago

what happens if there’s a severe downturn in the economy?

acjohnson55 7y ago

I lived more or less that way until age 30. But then as my income rose dramatically, my lifestyle gradually grew in cost as well. But I don't think that cost is truly buying me more fun. I had a ton of fun in my younger years on a lot less income. And as I've put in the effort to be more mindful of my spending, it's felt more liberating than anything else. All this to say, you might also find it can actually feel better to do other things with money than spending it.

joncrane 7y ago

>I’m keenly aware that I’ll be left penniless once I can no longer work, but I have a plan for that. What's your plan?

amehyst 7y ago

The author is frugal as a hobby and for her blog. She has close to $2 million net worth and her husband most likely earns $300k+. Extreme frugality is impractical from a time/$ perspective but that doesn't concern her because she doesn't need to worry about money or about developing a career.