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Related to the story's underlying topic, as an immigrant I find significant attitudinal/philosophical differences in how I regard saving money and spending mone

Related to the story's underlying topic, as an immigrant I find significant attitudinal/philosophical differences in how I regard saving money and spending money versus, for example, my American coworkers and friends, especially younger ones who grew up around relatively well-off families. Maybe the affection for Costco embodies that. I'm sure I sound like an old fart for saying this, like "those younguns don't know the value of a dollar any more". By comparison at least, they are much freer with their money and don't have the same baggage about it. An example especially apparent for me is their willingness to spend on clothing, where I just can't bring myself to do it. Maybe just not having been brought up around parents who were ever dressed that nice, or allowed me and siblings to be. Or for example, their lack of concern about overpaying for small things, which yes in the bigger picture, who cares if you're overcharged for a drink once in a while? I suppose it's because the information or concern about not having money was already passed down or imposed on me as a lesson early in life (whether intentionally or not). Sometimes I view it as an advantage as I see that my friends (those spending freely) will encounter those lessons when they get married, have kids, etc. and need to save. On the other hand, I wonder if I'm just handicapping myself with that baggage and not allowing myself to enjoy the freedom that a good income now brings, and living too much in the restraints of my family's past...

joveian 4y ago
While not necessarily the particular examples you give, there is a destructive side to the willingness to spend as well in terms of environmental impact. Lots of people in the US end up with basements or garages of stuff they don't use and can't even remember what is there or find it if they were ever to want to use it. I think there is a religion of wealth not just among the super wealthy where people think the environmental impact doesn't matter or if it does someone else will fix it or if not then they deserve it anyway. Ethically there can also be major issues, including with clothing, and the more likely to be ethical stuff can be more expensive (but not that expensive, the most expensive stuff is usually just expensive in order to show off wealth). The freedom of wealth is the freedom to shit on other people if you want to or just don't care enough to not do so. I suggest continuing to be careful about what you buy but with a wider ethical consideration rather that just looking for the best price.
gsinclair 4y ago
It is very possible for one to be handicapped by such baggage. My mother has been a massive penny-pincher her whole life, in reaction to her straitened circumstances as a child. I now wince when she resists things like going to a cafe lunch with friends, as a habit like that is not helpful in maintaining relationships. But then, I probably don’t pinch the pennies tightly enough. It’s hard to get the right balance.

joveian 4y ago

While not necessarily the particular examples you give, there is a destructive side to the willingness to spend as well in terms of environmental impact. Lots of people in the US end up with basements or garages of stuff they don't use and can't even remember what is there or find it if they were ever to want to use it. I think there is a religion of wealth not just among the super wealthy where people think the environmental impact doesn't matter or if it does someone else will fix it or if not then they deserve it anyway. Ethically there can also be major issues, including with clothing, and the more likely to be ethical stuff can be more expensive (but not that expensive, the most expensive stuff is usually just expensive in order to show off wealth). The freedom of wealth is the freedom to shit on other people if you want to or just don't care enough to not do so. I suggest continuing to be careful about what you buy but with a wider ethical consideration rather that just looking for the best price.

gsinclair 4y ago

It is very possible for one to be handicapped by such baggage. My mother has been a massive penny-pincher her whole life, in reaction to her straitened circumstances as a child. I now wince when she resists things like going to a cafe lunch with friends, as a habit like that is not helpful in maintaining relationships. But then, I probably don’t pinch the pennies tightly enough. It’s hard to get the right balance.