Comments on: How Do You Spend Your Money?

By: Amy H.

Amy H. — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:18:14 +0000

I am definitely the tightwad in my marriage — and all four of us in my original nuclear family are pretty tightwaddish (I and my younger brother got it directly from my Dad and to a lesser extent, my mom) — but pedicures are one of the things I choose to splurge on even though they are entirely unnecessary. They are $15 plus a tip here in San Francisco, so super-cheap; I get a leg and foot massage out of it; and I can’t do it myself at even CLOSE to the same quality. When my mom is in town visiting going to get a pedicure is one of our favorite ways to spend time together. I’m very happy to give up other things in order to have this every month or so — for example, new clothes/shoes/handbags, taxis (I just walk), or CDS/downloads (just listen to Pandora instead).

By: Aghavni

Aghavni — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:53:51 +0000

Hi Katy,
Well after buying my first house in Oct of 08 (at age 54) right at the time the market came crashing down(but I was too far into the house deal to back out – I was panicked) Than I was informed at my job we were all taking 20% paycuts come December (but it’s still a job – Right ??) God was good to me and I found your web site & it’s been a blessing ever since. I decided I would turn my situation into a game. Not “how much do I want to spend, spend, spend!!” but – How much can I live without and still keep my new house and live well. Turns out I’m not living without at all. My priorities have certainly changed. Now 9 months in I’m not doing bad at all & THIS blog has made all the difference. Someone asked me just today at work, would my spending habits change when things go back to normal , whatever normal is ?? I think they were surprised when I said No – I’m actually enjoying this challenge – just don’t tell the boss. THANKS for this site & all the links to others – I should have told you sooner. AJ

By: Tracy Balazy

Tracy Balazy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:50:45 +0000

I’ve never had a pedicure; I never felt like hauling myself down to a salon and then sitting for it. I’ve been cutting my own bangs lately, too, to save on going to the salon just for that.

The little indulgences my husband and I enjoy are mostly food-related, whether eating at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Detroit ($6 for an excellent dinner) or buying specialty foods at a local market. We don’t have car payments or children, so our biggest expense is our house payment, on which we’re on the third year of a 15-year mortgage. We’re 42 and have four cats and a dog.

I’ve found I can buy useful things like dog collars, leashes and pet food bowls at garage sales, and my best jeans are a pair of DKNY that fit great and I bought new with tags for $8 at a thrift store. Garage sales have become my replacement for retail. People get rid of a lot of stuff that’s new/in new condition!

I’ve even turned away from eBay in favor of garage sales, which are cheaper.

I’ve really embraced this not-buying-new mantra over the past few months; I set July 1, the beginning of the second half of the year, as my cutoff – no new stuff (except underwear, bras and the twin mattress I bought for the spare bedroom, although I got a clean box spring on Freecycle).

My husband and I don’t make extravagant salaries by any means, but we hope to retire while we’re still young. And this blog is an inspiration!

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:56:12 +0000

Times are tight: our main full time jobs disappeared 2 years ago, so we now do many jobs. We are trying to reform our spending, bit by bit. But it does seem as if what I save by doing without is often canceled out by money spent on the house, so I don’t always feel like my sacrifices are paying off. I hope things improve soon, but I know the whole world is going through a financial crisis.

It’s funny about siblings. Isn’t it kind of odd that we grow up in the same financial condition, as kids under one roof, but as adults each sibling has a unique financial life. My sisters have always had much more money than I have and I think sometimes they feel uncomfortable about that. I think they don’t know how they would deal with not having all the super lattes every day, and the new cars every 2 years. But I don’t need that stuff, I am actually content with what I’ve got. The worst part was not always being able to afford classes etc for my kids, but they are grown up now and seem to have turned out just fine.

By: Jean

Jean — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:55:52 +0000

This post really struck a nerve with me! My husband’s sisters and sister -in-law had invited me to a girls day with them while one from out of town is here to celebrate one of the other’s birthdays. They had proposed a spa day and I was worried about the expense, but floored when they sent the “menu”–$275 for a day of pampering!!(Massage, manicure, pedicure, facial, cut & style and “light” lunch. )With 20% tips this would be a $330 dollar day! I’ve backed out as graciously as I could, because the guilt over spending this kind of money would overshadow any pleasure in the pampering! (And this from the women who proposed drawing names for Christmas and then eliminating exchanging at Christmas totally because they couldn’t afford it!) Would have loved to spend the bonding time with them, but just couldn’t spend two months utility bills on something so frivilous–thank goodness my girlfriends are all “cheap” too–we can spend a day together without spending any money and still have fun!

By: Angela

Angela — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:34:57 +0000

Jessica- I think most people who’ve read this blog more than one day know both Katy’s relationships with her family AND her sense of humor, and so would know she was joking. But most is not all.

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:42:51 +0000

Katy,

We got tremendous criticism – some overt, some covert – from family for our lifestyle. We chose to live in a tiny apartment with my in laws, work very hard, take modest vacations, pay off our debt and save for a house. Eleven years later we moved into our dream home with no worries. Not only that, but we started two businesses and by running them frugally, we have zero debt with either one. We are happy, healthy, and doing what we love in life. But family STILL criticizes as if they cannot believe that anyone who has this wonderful life is truly happy, as if we are lying all the time. It is amazing and sad at the same time. Do what you choose to do and ignore the criticism. A blue pedicure fades in a week; the peace of mind you get from paying off your debt lasts a lifetime.

By: denise e.

denise e. — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:36:53 +0000

i really enjoyed this blog. The line I hear from my sister is, “I’m worth it!” when it comes to indulgences that she will and I wont pay for. I just smile. I would rather have no credit card debt and cook a really good meal for the both of us at home.

By: terilyn

terilyn — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:46:35 +0000

We spend our money on essentials and health care, then save the rest. We are looking to the future, and trying to make sure we have enough to live on no income for a while if necessary.

By: thenonconsumeradvocate

thenonconsumeradvocate — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:57:02 +0000

Really, I was just looking for a piece to go with that fabulous vintage “Tightwad” poster. ; )

Katy Wolk-Stanley
The Non-Consumer Advocate