[MonkeyMama]

I totally feel you. We live in a society where frugality is not equated with fun.
There are wise words in this thread.

I have friends (many if not most) who think driving a brand new car and taking their kids ot the amusement park every weekend is what is important. Obviously they don't have a penny in the bank. Considering my kids are 3 & 1 I don't really see the point in taking them to disneylnad 5 times a year and to the wiggles concert and sesame street on ice - like they care - LOL. But when I say no to these things because I Can't afford them people always act pretty snotty - like at least they are enjoying life. Um, who said I Wasn't enjoying life??? LOL.

I find myself more and more these days saying, oh, I choose not to spend my money on these things, rather just "I can't afford it." In the end we all make choices on what we value and what is important. To me financial comfort down the road is up top on my list, and taking my 1-year-old to a concert he won't remember is about as far on the bottom of the list as you can get. "I can't afford it" doesn't encompass that. "I choose not to spend my money in that matter" is a more correct statement. I Was just visiting with a friend who told me she didn't have a penny in the bank but she went to Disneyland 5 times this year and blahblahblah. In my head I am thinking OMG!!!!!!

The weirdest thing is the fruits of our frugality have paid off greatly even at our young age of 29. I know plenty of people I meet online who hear all the things I Refuse to spend my money on and they really must assume I am dirt broke. BUT I meet people in person, they see my house and hear my husband doesn't work and they automatically assume "rich." I have found out more and more lately that these same people make twice as much money as we do but they can't pull together the money for a house. They are jealous of our house and some of our toys BUT at the same time they chide me because we drive old cars, don't do fancy vacations, go out all of the time, or because I have used the same purse or pair of jeans for a year. ?????? They of course assume that I Am rich and CHEAP and don't get the point that I Am not rich at all - just frugal and living well. I have plenty of what I value, and there are many material things that I don't value.

The most ironic thing is we have these discussions all the time where they are sure that they are leading a happier and more fun life than my miserly ways. Honestly, they worry about money and have no financial security, hate their jobs, etc., etc. On the flip side I hardly have a care in the world. I love my job, I have a good financial start, and I enjoy hanging out at the park or playing with my kids at home. So they get expensive thrills a few times a week, at the end of the day who is truly more happy????