>Saving now for later assumes there is later, or even that well-being and health later are given. My parents had close to zero savings because they didn't real

>Saving now for later assumes there is later, or even that well-being and health later are given. My parents had close to zero savings because they didn't really have any money. A $100 purchase was something very carefully considered. While they were frugal, they didn't live a life of denial. My dad had a canoe & kayak, both purchased used. One thing they waited on, even though they could have made it work financially, was taking a trip to Europe together. My dad passed away at 46. That trip to Europe will never happen. With almost no savings, the only thing that let my mom live with basic needs met was his life insurance policy. I'm 45 now and that experience has shaped my approach to saving and spending. From day 1, I've contributed to my 401(k) and increased the percentage saved each year and now max it out. When my son was born, the 529 savings started immediately. Balancing that, I have no problem spending money on things that I find value in, whether other people find them frivolous or not. I do carefully evaluate whether I'm getting value from the money spent, and use that as a firmer guide than the actual amount of money involved.