Do you enjoy saving money?

[PRICEPLUS]

Honestly I do like to save but I'd be less than truthful if I said I do not like to spend. I have found a happy medium whereby I keep spending to a reasoable amount that is appropriate!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Nope, I'd prefer to spend money. But the reality is that I have save.

[pearlieq]

Yes! I get a real high putting money away, either in savings or paying off a loan. I get a thrill at finding a good deal.

There are things I like spending money on, but mostly I can do without.

[creditcardfree]

I love to save. I also have the hardest time spending as a result. I usually make good spending decisions, so once I take the plunge, I always find the spending of savings gratifying! Of course, I don't spend all the savings.

[Bookie]

When I was paying down my credit cards, I got a sense of accomplishment as each account was zeroed out and I could focus on the next.

That satisfaction has now transferred to the accumulation side, and I find a real satisfaction in watching my savings balances grow.

I can't say I get much pleasure out of spending these days, probably because I've done too much of it in the past.

[fairy74]

I love to spend, spend, spend, so no saving is not my favorite activity. However I dislike being beholden to anyone or thing, so my love of independence outweighs my love of spending and this leads to my saving. As budget man said, I too have make it automatic. It is getting easier for me to save now that I am pregnant...hopefully that will continue to be true after the baby is born as well DH is a natural born saver so he's a good influence as well.

[crabbypatty]

I like to spend but often feel guilty about it. I like knowing that my ability to save has provided me with experiences that other people have missed out on.

[kealina]

like others, i enjoy watching my balance grow...i also enjoy finding bargains for things i use and finding new ways to save or make money...

[Gruntina]

Only to a point!

I like watching my balance in my checking rise and watching my 401k rise and the etc. But I have to admit.. I LOVE to watch my debts go away!!!!!. There nothing quite like the feeling of financial freedom where you do not owe anyone money.

There are times I play games to see how much I can save to motivate myself but sometimes it drives me insane to the point where I make myself uncomfortable just to get that rush of higher savings. There is just to many good things going on in life I rather enjoy more and life.

I rather get a rush from cuddling with my fiancé and play outside in the sun as such, but with financial freedom.

I still do like to save but not so adamantly as I have experienced before, I believe I have I have overdid it and lost that "game" motivation thus prefer a balance.

[MonkeyMama]

I can say yes I love to save. Nothing beats financial security. Knowing a lost job or a pay cut won't hurt so much. That is a better feeling than anything money can buy.

[Coleroo]

I love it! It feels so awesome - and to think I've gotten a head start at 24 years old...how great is it going to be in 10 years? 20 years? I want to leave my kids a legacy and provide for their future when they're old too. I want our "legacy of saving" to extend generations from now - its a great feeling to think that my saving choices now will have such a positive impact even after my hubby and I are gone.

The "we CAN do it!" factor also feels great. When hubby and I first married last june, I use to think there was no way we could make it without our credit card - especially since I was in the "gotta get those 5% rewards on my 0% card and i'll pay off every month too!" trap. By November we had racked up $10,800 worth of credit card debt - just from wedding "stuffs", honeymoon, and daily living... and all our cash money was gone too. How the heck did we accumulate so much in just a few months? I wasnt decked out in furs or jewels... we had no fancy toys.. no new furniture...we didnt go on any other trips... wow. We finally said ENOUGH!

Now, we haven't touched a card since November (cut them all up) - my hubby worked overtime so christmas was all in cash (without affecting our bills) and we've cut our CC debt down to $4500 left - and have $500 in savings, $500 in roth, and increased my own 403b contributions to 15% ( i was at 10%).

All of our bills have still been paid on time - And we haven't missed the cards at all. I found that once the "gotta use the credit card" mindset is gone, managing money is a lot easier (and you spend a lot less).

So yes. I love saving. Its a mindset you have to get into - kinda like the biblical "old things have passed away - behold all things are new!" - but once the "saving" mindset hits, you wont ever want to turn away to old habits.

[nanamom]

I enjoy handling our money. Not personally but mainly electronically. I check out bank account daily to make sure stuff is paid and love getting zero balances on most of the cards. I really like seeing out EF go up and our Vacation (go see GKs) fund rise. Savings is great, paying things off is great, playing with the money is fun (sharebuilder, prosper etc) Spending isn't as lasting but I admit it isn't bad if it is for someone I love.

[Ima saver]

I really enjoy saving and I alway have. When I was a kid my favorite toy was my bank. I enjoyed putting the money in there. I love seeing the interest grow each month. I know I am going to have to buy a new riding mower and I hate to have to take the money out of the savings account.

[JanH]

I used to love the feeling of spending and having something new. The something new feeling wears off. Now, it has been replaced with the feeling of saving, challenging myself, watching the money grow. I love it! I still like getting something that I've saved hard for and enjoying it. But I like it most because I saved and worked toward it instead of working to pay it off! And I buy less stuff, so each thing saved for is more thought out.

[JoyJoy]

I was first introduced to saving when I was in grammar school. We used to purchase stamps to buy savings bonds! I have loved to save every since!

Paying yourself first is the way to go!

Nice thread and great answers!