There is nothing wrong with spending money

[IVSPORT]

I understand the moral basis for saying some purchases are ridiculous but as cold as this sounds, we are all here talking about saving money so that we can utilize it. What's the point in saving and being thrifty if there's no reward at the end. I agree that the reward can be in the form of helping your kids or even a charitable donation and I respect anyone who does that immensely, but I also don't think you can criticize someone for buying a luxury car or a nice watch to reward themselves for years of difficult savings.

My problem lies with the multi-millionaires who make tons of those purchases without doing anything good with their money. If you have that kind of scratch, do something nice for every five luxury items you buy and that can make a huge difference.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

Well disneysteve, I think my DH plans on a private jet and 5 star hotels. We're too old now to backpack and we don't want to stay at rat motels anymore. We like staying in nicer places and eating whatever we want. Also we enjoying drinking and paying admission to places instead of freebies like before.

Same here. In high school, I went camping a few times on vacation. In college and med school it was the Econo-Lodge or Days Inn for $25/night. In the early years of our marriage, it was the Quality Inn or Holiday Inn Express for $59/night. Now it is typically a Courtyard or Residence Inn for $99/night and occasionally something a little nicer for $129 or so/night. For a special occasion, it might be a Renaissance or the former Rhiga Royal in NYC for $300/night. You know what? Those $300/night places blow away all the others. If and when we can afford to stay at those kinds of places regularly, we certainly will consider it. Is it extravagant? Sure. That's why it costs so much. But if we have it to spend, we'll do it.

[GREENBACK]

Much agrred
I personally don't want to be on my death bed saying I wish I had stayed at a cheaper hotel on that fabulous vacation. If it's within your means then go for it.

[Ima saver]

Well, you all know that I married a car guy. So far, he has worked 7 days a week for over 30 years taking very few vacations or even holidays off. I feel that he has worked so hard, he deserves that $50,000 car and he has it !! We have enough in savings to pay for it 12 times over and we are not getting any younger!!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

But Imasaver that would be extravagent! LOL! :P I love the fact you have such cute corvettes though! Very nice!

Now if I could rent one for the Autobon...

[Exile]

Here's another angle about living high on the hog just because one can: Exposure to risk. For example there are some locales like Southern California (my former residence) where car-jacking is rampant. Why would I want to call attention to myself by driving an expensive vehicle like a Jag or show off in other ways. I would like to think that if I were wealthy, I would live comfortably but inconspicuously.

[Exile]

Here's another angle about living high on the hog just because one can: Exposure to risk. For example there are some locales like Southern California (my former residence) and here in the Philippines where car-jacking and other property crimes are rampant. Why would I want to call attention to myself by driving an expensive vehicle like a Jag or show off in other ways. I would like to think that if I were wealthy, I would live comfortably but inconspicuously.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Exile

Why would I want to call attention to myself by driving an expensive vehicle like a Jag or show off in other ways. I would like to think that if I were wealthy, I would live comfortably but inconspicuously.

That is what they talk about in "The Millionaire Next Door" and describes many of the world's richest people, like Warren Buffet or the late Sam Walton.

[tripods68]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

That is what they talk about in "The Millionaire Next Door" and describes many of the world's richest people, like Warren Buffet or the late Sam Walton.

Well Steve, those guys you mentioned are "The Billionaire Next Door".

[osadg]

I'm curious if anyone has read Money CAN Buy You Happiness by MP Dunleavy?
I know the title seems to either interest people, or completely throw them off, but it was a fun little read. The overall point of her book was that you SHOULD be spending money, but in a way that is responsible, and helps you to achieve the things that create happiness in your life. It's all about reallocating money so you can enjoy the things in life that do create happiness, like time with your family and so on.
I'm not a big spender, but I did get a kick out of her approach to spending to buy (not things) but happiness.