BBird0701 Wrote:
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> Interesting thread.
>
> We are financially comfortable, but still shop.
>
> I grew up poor. Land-rich, farm-poor family. The
> only reason I didn't end up like everyone else I
> knew growing up, in a dead end job, was pure luck.
> I babysat for a rich family, who got me into a
> private school as, basically, a charity case.
> There I met a school counselor who actually cared,
> and sat with me through scholarship application
> after scholarship application until I got one.
>
> I still shop even after making it through college
> and landing a good job because... why not? I'm not
> stupid with my money. My house is furnished with
> beat-up antiques bought from flea markets, that I
> lovingly restored and refinished. My kids wear
> nearly-new second-hand clothing bought from
> consignment shops for 1/10th the price...most
> still with tags on. Their toys were compiled from
> Once Upon A Child, Craigslist, eBay, and places
> like Ross and Marshall's. When I buy coffee at DD
> or Starbucks, I use a travel mug because it's
> $1.30-$1.50 cheaper than buying a coffee in one of
> their disposable cups. I shop with coupons, I
> price-match, and I buy jeans at Plato's Closet
> because they're $100 cheaper than buying the same
> ones brand new. My phone is over two years old, my
> car is four years old, my husband's truck is nine
> years old...but they're paid off and they're
> ours.
>
> Being cost-conscious is who I am. Our vehicles are
> paid off, we carry no debt other than the house,
> and that's four years away from being paid off. My
> kids each have a healthy college fund balance that
> I steadily add to every month... If I had
> millions of dollars, I'd still shop as long as I'm
> able to, because it is fun, and it makes sense to
> me. I didn't invest years in experience and
> building relationships just to walk away.
>
> I still talk to some of the people I grew up with,
> over FB.... and it's really interesting how
> different our values and priorities are. They
> don't have a penny in savings, but buy their kids
> many pairs of new Nikes, Jordans, etc.... high end
> strollers, over-priced baby furniture, designer
> clothing, etc. They always have the latest and
> greatest in smartphones, tablets, etc.... but no
> savings, no college funds for their kids, no home
> ownership. They live paycheck to paycheck and
> wonder why they can never get ahead.
>
> Would coming into money be a good thing, sure. But
> it wouldn't change who I am or how I am.
Beeeaaaauuuutifully Spoken!