Jan 17 2009
Your Financial Thoughts
I have this mind set about money that tends to get me into some hot water with friends and family at times. I can easily recall a hand-full of “discussions” about personal finances that led to my close friends not speaking to me for long periods of time. See, I do not support frivolous spending and if asked my opinion I usually give it truthfully. I have watched too many stale situations go horribly wrong in very small amounts of time and this has caused me to be extremely frugal with my own finances.
Money is not something you should feel entitled to, by that I mean just because you work for it does not mean one should spend it any way they choose. If one has financial obligations like rent, mortgage and car payments one should pay them BEFORE one buys that new CD or pair of shoes. If one feels as if they need to choose between needs and wants then one should rethink their current employment. My advice to everyone and anyone will always be: Pay for your needs first, if you have money left over pick up that CD. If you do not make enough money to pay for your needs, then choosing to not pay for those necessities will only make the situation worse in the long run.
Think about this one; bills grow over time if not paid but that CD will become cheaper as time passes. Sure, you may not have bought it when you wanted it badly but at least you still have hot water.
My stance is even hardier if one has children, never should one think of themselves before ones child when it comes to finances. That does not mean I think a child should be financially spoiled. If ones child needs glasses and one decides to purchase a Playstation 3 instead of improving the child’s eyesight, I see that as an ultimate example of selfishness and poor financial judgement. Skipping the water bill to splurge on fast food is in my own opinion almost neglectful when one has children.
Sorry for the tirade today, I have been bombarded with poor me sob stories lately that come to light later being an example of wasted money and twisted financial thinking from adults who should know better. In the end they had the money to pay the bills and decided they worked for that money hence they should be able to blow it if they want and should have no negative consequences.
Well said - I completely agree with you and think that there should be more people prepared to say things like that these days!
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http://thefrugallife.today.com
I agree with you completely. I try to teach the kids the same things, decipher between needs and wants. Do you need a new game or do you want one? Do you need to buy a snack after school everyday or can you wait ntil you come home and have milk and fruit?
I hear the same sob stories myself these days, and yet I have been ridiculed at times for not getting a haircut and color every three weeks, for not purchasing new sneakers every 6 months. I think if you take care of your belongings, you don’t have to. Wash and care for your clothes, hang them up, mend and iron, what is so hard about that? Don’t get me wrong, if it is ripped and stained, it’s nice for the gar-bage…but don’t get your hair cut, buy new clothes from JC Pennys and go out to eat with your friends three nights per week then ask me if I know where you might be able to earn some extra money for bills. *shaking my head!*
~Momma http://savemoneymomma.today.com