I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself

Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by maxaf on Saturday June 08, 2019 @12:35PM (#20133316)

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.

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Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by losvedir on Saturday June 08, 2019 @01:38PM (#20133783)

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.

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Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by throwaway76792 on Saturday June 08, 2019 @02:09PM (#20134016)

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.

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Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by Reedx on Saturday June 08, 2019 @01:59PM (#20133943)

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?

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Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by chongli on Saturday June 08, 2019 @02:49PM (#20134267)

What's the plan?

The post sounded to me like the Smith and Wesson retirement plan.

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Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by _nhynes on Saturday June 08, 2019 @02:21PM (#20134094)

> 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 ;)

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Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by OsTaBLer on Sunday June 09, 2019 @03:09PM (#20141187)

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.

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Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by losvedir on Saturday June 08, 2019 @06:13PM (#20135530)

> What's the plan?

His frugal wife's savings maybe...? I hope not.

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Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by acjohnson55 on Saturday June 08, 2019 @03:14PM (#20134439)

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.

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Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by pfortuny on Saturday June 08, 2019 @12:57PM (#20133485)

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.

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Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by amehyst on Saturday June 08, 2019 @04:51PM (#20135083)

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.

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Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by joncrane on Saturday June 08, 2019 @04:24PM (#20134919)

>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?

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Re:I’m not saving ninety percent of my income for myself by tomcam on Saturday June 08, 2019 @03:12PM (#20134421)

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

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