Yes it is great to save, but at what point does one become too frugal? How do you know what is worth spending your money on? When do you stop denying yourself of items or experiences which will make you happy for the sake of saving?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I’d say what really makes you happy... I never regretted spending money on traveling. I did regret spending money on all my clothes especially my work closet that I haven’t touched in a year. It took me a while to realize buying stuff like this makes me happy for about 5 min.

like

Saving doesn’t mean frugal. Make a budget that is reflective of the life you enjoy living. If you have a plan for your money you can save and enjoy spending on the things that make you happy but there has to be balance. It’s not about sacrificing everything to save. It’s about living below your means and finding balance. Similar to others above, I love spending on traveling or events but always regret clothes purchases. So I made a budget that allocates money for travel and events and not a monthly clothes allowance which is now additional money I’m saving. You have to figure out what makes you happy and just make sure you are intentional with your spending and not mindlessly throwing it away to keep up with your friends or buying things you think you’re supposed to have. There are no “rules”.

like

Be frugal on things you don't care about but allow yourself to spend (within reason) on the things and experiences that make you happy. Ramit Sethis book I will teach you to be rich has a section on this. There is also a podcast and blog called Afford Anything that has the tagline that you can afford anything but not everything which I check out when I see an interesting topic.

Figure out what is important to you, save a certain amount to retirement accounts first, and then you can decide what to do with the rest. I personally don't care about cars so I've spent more on travel, savings, and my house than I would have if I had a large monthly car payment.

like

Thanks!

When your SO starts telling you they are disappointed you can’t do things because of frugality. Not really a joke

like

Draw your own line in the sand. It’s not as hard as you think. Automate your saving by depositing a set amount every month in your preferred medium of saving. Once you’ve decided how much to automatically save each month, whatever you have left over in your checking account, spend freely without guilt. If you spend leftovers, there’s far less guilt, because you know you’ve already paid yourself first.

like

You know you’re too frugal when being frugal makes you happier. If you think you’re denying yourself items, then you have to rethink about what you’re doing to yourself.

Ugh this hit me hard

Related Posts

Is anyone working on implementation projects in the circular economy space? Would really appreciate to learn more about you work!

like

Nearly a year in on a shrinking SDR team.
I am finding it increasingly unlikely that I'll be able to get off this team over to MM AE until the empty seats have been filled and brought up to speed.
At this point a move sideways into an AE role elsewhere is looking better and better.

Should I be patient or just take the leap?
Any tips on best positioning that in an interview?

like

Hi All,

I received Letter of Intent lst week… by when can i expect the offer letter?
And can we join even if BGV not completed?

like

Diversity is something that BBs have been pushing in recent years, but how well has it actually been executed? How diverse is your group and do you feel like diversity recruits are treated the same?

like

Day 15 (Yes, a day late): “MARS Maltage "Cosmo" Blended Malt Whiskey". Never heard of this.

No detailed review required: Nasty.

Post Photo
like

We are at a level where by making 5% returns on our net-worth we can sustain our current lifestyle.

What should this mean from a lifestyle perspective? Keep it the same (but then why work), step/up a notch (but once you increase you cant go back), or make one off splurges as excess cash accumulates? How do others things about it?

like

Is it safe to scooter from Baltimore Penn to the harbor? Basically a 10 minute straight path down and seems fine but just wondering if anything I should know to avoid. New comer to the area

like

Have been making salads on my keto diet. I think I can survive on this diet. Indian goat meet mince salad below

Post Photo
like

What’s the best or worst place to work in Portland right now?

like

Going to apply for a SC role with Deloitte, is there anyone here with experience of evaluating resumes that would be willing to give mine quick review before I apply? Not from Canada so hoping to make it more localized/appealing to recruiters. Would be much appreciated.

like

Crypto companies / frameworks going bankrupt is a path towards maturity ! Banks will buy these and make blockchain tech their own thing and then propel it forward towards regulation !

like

Thoughts on CrowdStrike? Hold/buy/sell 🤔

like

Landlords of fishbowl, how do you protect yourselves from bad tenants? I want to eventually be a landlord but my S/O's family had a couple bad experiences and she doesn't want to deal with the headaches

like

What’s the best subject line to get a recruiter to read your email?

likehelpful

Do you say something when you see a VP making out with an intern at happy hour? 😬

likefunny

What’s a good software to host coaching sessions?

likesmarthelpful

Good snow tubing place near Austin? For kids and grownups

funnylike

I’m moving to SF at the end of summer. Is it common for single people in their early 30s to have roommates?

I could afford a $4k 1bd/1ba place and understand the HCOL, but that much for rent seems excessive to live close to work in downtown SF especially with student loans, etc.

like

Additional Posts in Personal Investment Chatter

Came across a duplex for 475k in SoCal. Up and coming area that’s getting gentrified fairy fast. Looking to rent out the front for 2k and and splitting the back with a housemate for 1k. Cont below.

like

Hey all! I would appreciate some feedback on my investing strategy: I want to buy QQQ3X when QQQ goes below 118$. I believe a major market reversal (a crisis) should take place in late 19 or (cont)

How much do you take home after tax and maxing pre tax 401k while making 144k? Not sure if I'm doing something wrong with my withholding. I'm married filing jointly withholding at a single rate, 1 federal and 1 state. DC location. I'm only taking home $6k a month.

like

Well. ARKK is back.

likefunny

Selling 2022 sealed and brand new Kaplan CFA Level 1 books, comment or DM if interested

like

Any thoughts on zero cost fidelity funds. Any you like?

like

I’ve seen a couple posts lately with comments saying that people should not use a Roth 401k. Does the logic below capture the spirit of that concept?
1. Use trad. 401k to reduce taxable income now. Convert to trad. IRA once retired, then convert gradually to Roth IRA (ladder, SEPP, etc.) at lowest marginal tax rate
2. Use Roth IRA (and/or backdoor Roth) to take advantage of tax free growth and ability to withdraw principal early without penalty

like

Any thoughts on ARKK and MGK ?

like

If you kids are the beneficiaries on my will — can I put one of them as the primary executor as well ? I’m divorced btw

like

Anyone use composer.trade? Seems intuitive enough but lacking some fundamental features.

like

Is anyone familiar with filial responsibility laws? I have major doubts that my in-laws have enough saved for retirement / it seems they are planning to rely on SS despite currently living a pretty lavish lifestyle (brand new house, luxury cars, routine spa appointments, expensive dinners, etc.). I’ve heard of cases in PA (luckily we don’t live there), but what about other states? Also, I’m assuming if things go south at the end they can rely on Medicaid for long term care?

like

Anyone run a side business for the tax benefits? Thinking about things like the over 6000lbs vehicle tax deduction, home office deduction, etc. What sorts of business do you all have?

like

Worth buying VTI today? Every week I am buying and it’s going lower and lower the next day. I bought it yesterday and today it’s 5$ lesser than yesterday!

like

Can you transfer your stocks to someone else’s name if you’re working for a company with an independence clause?

like

How much margin is appropriate/recommended on a percentage of portfolio basis? I used to use about 10% but now that we’re in a bit of a correction it’s closer to 20%. I really want to add to positions on these dips but it would only increase the risk given the margin exposure...

like

New to cryptocurrency and want to invest in it. Recommendations welcome. How to start? Coinbase vs. GBTC via Vanguard? Is it a good time to enter?

like

Is there any way to make pretax contributions to a retirement account outside my employer plan if:

1. My employer offers a 401k plan

2.) Im over the income limit

Here’s my situation; I left a higher paying consulting position for a lower paying position (better WLB). When I left consulting, I got paid out for my PTO, and I received a signing bonus with my new company. I expect my income will be significantly higher this year than it will be for a while. I know I could … (see comments)

like

“How much house can I afford” question, input appreciated!

HHI of $105k, living in a HCOL area where a reasonable house for me is going to cost $400-$500k. Obviously that exceeds the rule of 3 (cont)

like

thoughts on buying airline stock? delta?

like

what’s the most you’ve spent on brunch 🤣

funnylike

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal