Something that i love?

[peterj]

Okay so i have posted a few topics on this website, all have been very helpful. I am a 22 year old male who is a student nurse, working part time as an enrolled nurse in Australia. I grew up surrounded by fun times, i worked at a music store and each weekend i blew my paycheck on things i loved doing, holidays and of course great nights out! I am now more of a to myself person, i rarely go out and hate to socalise. I have one thing i love, computers!

I have this feeling inside me, i feel asthough i should have saved all that money, i feel i let myself down.

I have debt like everyone. I have a car and a mobile, thats it, still live at home, never owned a credit card.

Personally i hate spending money because i feel wrong for doing so, i spend money on clothes as obvious everyone needs clothes, i spend money buying a cd every now and then or a movie, but i feel bad for doing so, i am not fincanically in trouble at all, my parents are very stable and i have an EF that would last me atleast 8 months if i ever lost my job.

I have a passion that i want to build a computer, like a decent one, but then i think back and think i dont deserve it because i had my chance to save and i didn't so i should be punished now for it.

I primarily see myself saving because i want to save for a deposit to buy a investment property.

I know this is long and may be confusing, but i dunno why i beat myself up so much over money, i have a lot of mates who are so far in debt and they are happy in life? I have one mate who is 21 and owes 61 grand AU in debt! and i think i owe 8 grand on my car and that is it, why arnt i happy?

I do feel somtimes i buy things to make myself happy, or out of being bord...but lately i have been very sensible.

Why do i feel like this?

ps can i just add that also i had a gf who was a complete gold digger only 3 months ago, and you guessed it a lot of money went on her!

[kork13]

Don't be too upset about spending -- I'm often the same way, it's hard for me to spend money on total wants. I spend hundreds (thousands really) each month on rent, food, gas, charities, utilities, and so on, but I hesitate buying a new radio to replace my current one (starting to break).

I can't really explain why, but I'll simply say this -- DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT! I've figured out some ways to overcome it. First, save up for the things you want. Decide on a certain amount that is saved for the future that you can't touch, but then also put aside some money each month as your designated "wants fund". Automatic transfers help me alot. It's a bit of a psychological change, but tell yourself that this account is for you to enjoy yourself with. Also, shop around. Look at multiple stores, go online, and give yourself some time to get used to the idea of spending the money on what you want. Once you know you found the place with the best price, go ahead and buy it. Since you want to build a new computer, can you buy the parts slowly, buying a few parts at a time? Spreading out the cost over a couple weeks might help reduce the sticker shock of it.

The biggest thing I'm trying to say here is that it's NOT bad to spend your money on wants. You need to make sure you take care of your obligations, make sure you're saving, but once you've saved according to your goals each month, take the excess and do what you want with it--enjoy yourself! I've learned that if you focus on saving too much, you start trying to live in the future, what is yet to come......as the present, your life, slips away with little meaning.

[Pitman]

Originally Posted by kork13

The biggest thing I'm trying to say here is that it's NOT bad to spend your money on wants. You need to make sure you take care of your obligations, make sure you're saving, but once you've saved according to your goals each month, take the excess and do what you want with it--enjoy yourself! I've learned that if you focus on saving too much, you start trying to live in the future, what is yet to come......as the present, your life, slips away with little meaning.

I agree wholeheartedly, especially with the part in bold.

[HamSandwich]

i agree too. very well said. how i see it is that you work hard to get the things you want and you shouldn't feel bad when you spend. plus, ur 22! thats very young. enjoy yourself! since ur living at home, you won't have to worry about a big chunk of ur paycheck going into rent so enjoy that while it lasts. you have the rest of your life to work and save

[swanson719]

I just turned 22, and also often feel guilty about buying stuff. I love to hunt and fish, but when I look at a $1300+ price tag on the new rifle I want, I just can't do it. I have one now that will get the job done, and just need a new scope. I think to me, it's more about getting the biggest bang for your buck from an enjoyment standpoint. I.e archery season is about 5 months long, and rifle is 2 weeks. So instead of spending that $1300 on a new rifle, I spent it on taking up archery hunting. It lets me spend more time outdoors with friends, which is the main reason to hunt and fish to me.

We save a lot, but Korks right, if you focus too much on what you will have and what your investments can do, you live this dream life in your head of whats to come instead of enjoying life now. Be responsible with your money, but at the same time, life is too short to not live it.