06.17.08 | How to Responsibly Buy Yourself Something Silly
Some people can live a frugal life, save all their money and derive great happiness and satisfaction from simple things in life. Ruby-orange sunsets, drops of dew on a rose petal or knowing that when you’re 85 you’ll have lots of money might be all you need in life but that’s not me. I’ll bet it’s not you either.
Since the $1,200 Handbag article I’ve gotten a wide spectrum of response; many of them defending the purchase of a pricey leather pouch stamped “Gucci”. I actually agree with buying the handbag in certain cases and I don’t mean just cases where you’re filthy rich. All work and no play or all saving and no spending is not what life is about for most of us. Living in self-imposed poverty until you’re 70 and retired might just leave you comfortable in your last few years but feeling like you’ve missed out. So how can you live a life sprinkled with frivolity and still retire in comfort?
The answer and challenge is to plan how you spend your money so that you can have the irrational things you might enjoy and save at the same time. It’s OK to spend your money on something that does nothing but make you happy like a pricey handbag, expensive shoes, a new car instead of a used car, especially if it’s a reward for saving and budgeting responsibly. You can’t buy everything you want because that’s irresponsible but if you don’t enjoy life along the way you could burn out and fail in the long run.
It’s like dieting. I’ve been successfully dieting using a really clean and healthy diet for several months and now I’m at and maintaining my target weight but continuing to diet anyway. People ask why I’m continuing to eat this way and say it’s no way to live. I tell them its super healthy and I eat pizza, ice cream and whatever else I want one day each week without an ounce of guilt. In fact my pig-out day is far more indulgent than I ever would have dared before. I can do this because I cut out the cheap fast food and burgers during the week which added the pounds and didn’t really taste that great anyway. Indulging is psychologically refreshing and enables healthy eating all the other days.
It’s the same exact thing with finances and saving. It’s easier to stay on a healthy savings and financial plan with a little planned fun to look forward to. You need it psychologically and it will make your life happier. As you save for college, a house and retirement also plan on rewarding your hard work with fun stuff along the way. Make sure you have some spending money set aside in your budget even if it’s just a little, then don’t feel bad about spending it.
If you keep track of the little dumb things you buy all the time and cut them out you might be surprised at what you could soon afford. Here’s an exercise I recommend you try:
- Make a wish list of everything non-essential you want to buy in order of importance to you along with the prices (everything from coffee, to new jeans to a new TV)
- Start another list of the non-essential things you actually buy with the prices and track it for a month
- At the end of the month compare your lists and see how many things on your actual list were on the wish list, let alone on top
- Add up the cost of all the things on the actual list and see what you could have bought on your wish list!
I’ll wager that for most of you the actual list will look much different than the wish list and hopefully this exercise will help you see how you can have some of the things you want. The main point here is that it’s important to budget and know where your money is going. It’s also important to leave yourself some money to use for fun and if you do you will meet your financial goals and have some guilt free pleasures along the way. I mean aren’t ruby-orange sunsets more enjoyable viewed through a new pair of designer sunglasses while wearing your best designer jeans and holding a Gucci bag?
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Great advice. I appreciate these posts because they put words to things most of us know to be true but haven’t formally thought out. Anytime I can avoid thinking for myself I’ll do it. Can you make this a TV show? LOL
June 18th, 2008 | #
Ever drink Baily’s from a shoe? Now that’s living. Good article dude.
June 20th, 2008 | #
This article was very helpful to me. I made my whole family read it!
June 24th, 2008 | #
My mom is going to try this and I will too. I do try to do something for me each paycheck but carefully. LOL. Thanks for the information.
June 26th, 2008 | #
This is really a great way to look at how you spend your money and to reevaluate if you needed the item in the first place.
June 26th, 2008 | #
I have a little sticker on my credit card with a cup of coffee and a question mark. Every time I want a $5.00 Latte it makes me stop and think. I buy less of them now!!
June 26th, 2008 | #
This info was really helpful,it makes you really think about the whole budgeting.
June 26th, 2008 | #
I think its great to spend your money on something silly!
June 26th, 2008 | #
When I plan and save to buy something, it always seems more special than if I just bought it spur of the moment. I’m passing this info on to my mom as well.
June 26th, 2008 | #
Silly stuff is what makes going to work bearable.
June 26th, 2008 | #
Bear is in big and bad and ugly as a bear
June 26th, 2008 | #
I think its nice idea to do so.I loved this article and iwill do thjis in my life
June 27th, 2008 | #
Actually i like to save hard and buy what i desire and when i have that i feel so relax to enjoy it,rather than getting it higher purchase and always have nightmare of depreciation and balance to pay annualy,so it great you have the stress once and for all.this actually have being helping and my study and i feel very proud to set that plan to save and earn what i deserve.
June 27th, 2008 | #
I actually agree with what you are saying in this article. There are several things that I desire and can not afford, however if I budget better, I believe I can accomplish my desired purchases.
June 27th, 2008 | #
I think the overall problem with our consumer society is that we have trouble drawing the line between things we WANT compared to things we NEED. This “exercise” allows readers to start to think in these terms. A progressive lifestyle should always be kept in mind when buying anything, including a leather bag with a name on it.
June 27th, 2008 | #
I believe that treating ourselves to those silly gifts (what ever they may be) is a way of rewairding ourselves for all the work we do. As mentioned, with proper budgeting we can all afford to treat ourselves to something nice without breaking the bank.
June 27th, 2008 | #
GOOD ADVICE AND EVEN THOUGH IM NOT THAT FOND OF READING THIS ARTICLE WAS EASY TO READ BY HOW IT RELATED TO ME
June 27th, 2008 | #
I look at myself through this article and realy I understand more from it.
June 28th, 2008 | #
this article was very helpful i mostly always buy something silly but then learn from my mistake jaja! =)
June 28th, 2008 | #
I completely agree. Most people are so bent on saving everything that they forget to have fun and live along the way. What is the point of saving if you are going to be miserable along the way? That is no way to live.
June 29th, 2008 | #
This is good advice..I normally try to budget so that I can have nice things for myself but sometimes I do go overboard
June 29th, 2008 | #
I like the advise given its honestly true! Treating ourselves once in a while is not such a bad thing, just going out and purchasing something small is good enough to remove some stress and mind cramps.
June 29th, 2008 | #
I have actually tried this advice and it works. It made me more cognisant of the difernce between want and need and put the term “instant gratification in to perspective for me.
June 30th, 2008 | #
Great Advice! All of us (including myself) need to be practical with our daily budget. It is all about balance and not falling into extremes of saving or spending.
June 30th, 2008 | #
This is really great advise, I try to practice these rules in my everyday life.
July 1st, 2008 | #
i like this it was very interesting
July 1st, 2008 | #
Thanks, I’ll try this beginning this month.
July 1st, 2008 | #
You know, I was just thinking about that today at work. I am volenteering at Saint Mary’s Hospital in GR Michigan and in reality im flat broke. Yet I still have the urge to buy a pop that cost $1.35 every day. Thanks for giving me more reason to save.
July 1st, 2008 | #
This is great advice. It makes you realize how much money you spend on junk you don’t need. If you cut out some of the smaller nonessentail things, you can get one really great one.
July 1st, 2008 | #
Great Advice.
July 1st, 2008 | #
Great Advice. I tried it too and it did work!
July 1st, 2008 | #
When i read this it made me take a second look at how i was really spending my money… Thanks it really works!!!!
July 1st, 2008 | #
THAT IS SO TRUE
July 2nd, 2008 | #
So right.
July 2nd, 2008 | #
the article is so true im trying that now.
July 2nd, 2008 | #
this article really helps
July 2nd, 2008 | #
budgeting is a great way to attain anything you need!
July 3rd, 2008 | #
that’s true
July 3rd, 2008 | #
I have to agree that being frugal is the way to go just as long you save some money for silly things that give you pleasure. You have to indulge yourself once in a while to have that balance of frugality and happiness!
July 3rd, 2008 | #
I like what is said in the article about having fun right now and not waiting to have fun when you are older. I try to buy thing that I really need, but sometimes I treat myself to something that is expensive just to make myself feel good and enjoy life.
July 3rd, 2008 | #
This is an article that has a lot of mean for people that work full time and go to school. Just like a diet should be a life long practice that isn’t a punishment. Spending wisely can allow some wiggle room for the wants not the essentials.
July 4th, 2008 | #
i guess that’s true for those who believe in that, but there’s no shame in use the money you earn on possessions or stuff.
July 4th, 2008 | #
Thanks.
July 5th, 2008 | #
Thanks for the advice, this is so true
July 5th, 2008 | #
I think this was a great article and I agree with Dr. Pete. These are the things we all know; just never think about during the course of our lives.
July 5th, 2008 | #
Thanks for the advice. Be able to budget your savings is always the key.
July 5th, 2008 | #
that’s a cool article
July 6th, 2008 | #
This was insightful
July 7th, 2008 | #
Thanx for the info, it was a real slap in the face.
July 7th, 2008 | #
I really can take this to heart
July 7th, 2008 | #
I think its great to spend your money on family.
July 8th, 2008 | #
I thought that was great
July 8th, 2008 | #
I think that life is about responsibility, and if you can not spend your money responsibly, then do not buy anything you do not have to. Of course, Yes, there has to be that time where you can enjoy your self and buy something new, but not every week. I think every person should know when then they should or should not spend extra money on enjoyment.
July 8th, 2008 | #
wow.
July 8th, 2008 | #
I agree, but spending also needs to be curtailed even when there is a sale…Many people will purchase multiple products on sale and often forget that 30 dollars goes quickly if that is all you have for the week. Treat yourself to one item and put the rest of the money away to help pay for your monthly expenses. A sale is of no benefit if it leaves you broke! Budgeting is the key to financial success.
July 8th, 2008 | #
cool.
July 8th, 2008 | #
I think it’s important that you made it clear that some splurging is a good thing. I just read another article in the Harvard Business Review that had some studies that agree with what you’ve said here. It focused on the guilt/regret that people experience after “splurging”. They found that overall people experienced more regret from not having splurged on things they had really wanted, than they did if they had decided to splurge. Basically the idea was that regret from unecessary purchases diminished over time, while regret from not having made those purchases grew over time.
In the end they said something to the effect of “no one lies on their death bed and says that they wish they had spent more time in the office”.
July 9th, 2008 | #
Great advice but a $1200.00 Bag, I don’t think so.
July 9th, 2008 | #
It is safe to spend money wisely and in things that are needed. Need and want are two different things.
July 9th, 2008 | #
Enjoy life! I love it. I will do your little exercise and tell my family to do it too! I don’t usually enjoy spending money on silly things, but perhaps I’ll get something I can show for it.
July 10th, 2008 | #
GREAT ADVICE FOR ME! CONTINUE WITH MORE.
July 11th, 2008 | #
GREAT ADVICE I MAY SAY. ADD MORE PLEASE!
July 11th, 2008 | #
It’s funny that I came across article now, because only a few minutes ago I was debating on whether wanted to save money or go crazy and shop til i dropped with my latest paycheck. Article helped THANKS!
July 11th, 2008 | #
Very interesting.
July 11th, 2008 | #
good stuff, definitely helpful.
July 11th, 2008 | #
that’s true.this is a good article
July 12th, 2008 | #
This article is very helpful. Though now I have to pay for school I dare not to try and spend so much on my self!
July 12th, 2008 | #
interesting,could be used to your advantage.
July 13th, 2008 | #
Loved this article. I like to save my money to purchase things that I really want.
July 15th, 2008 | #
i would rate this article at 9/10 if i were given the opportunity to.
July 16th, 2008 | #
Very interesting, my family read it too. I guess I shared it with them because we all do that too
July 16th, 2008 | #
THIS ARTICLE IS VERY INFORMATIVE, CAN’T WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT ONE
July 17th, 2008 | #
Many times i just want something, but the truth is: i really dont need it! so retranning yourself and making the right choices is the best way to go. Usually when i want something, i dont buy it right way. i wait at least one week before consering the purchase, and then i think about it again. Most of the time my “wanting impulse” is gone and in end i am happy that i did not buy something that i really did not need.
July 17th, 2008 | #
really the article was so intresting that i kept reading ever and ever again
July 19th, 2008 | #
I’ll definitely think twice before spending lots of money on something I don’t really need.
July 19th, 2008 | #
Awesome!!!!!!!
July 19th, 2008 | #
information is really helpful.Will pass it on to others
July 22nd, 2008 | #
thanks for the advice. will try the necessary steps to see if it works
July 22nd, 2008 | #
Great advise. Sometimes things feel like you really need them but in reality you only want them. The lists like you say would really point that you. It is easy to spend the money but not that easy to pay for it.
July 22nd, 2008 | #
good advise!
July 23rd, 2008 | #
Great Advise!
July 25th, 2008 | #
SOund interesting
July 25th, 2008 | #
Spend wisely. Spend wisely.
July 27th, 2008 | #
This is a wonderful article it let me know that i am not the only one who sometimes buys silly things and then learn from my mistakes.
July 28th, 2008 | #
Awesome advice!!
July 28th, 2008 | #
I will think twice before I spend another dollar on something I know I don’t need
July 29th, 2008 | #
I loved this article…it was very helpful to me and my family…
July 30th, 2008 | #
I loved this article….it was very helpful to me and my family…
July 30th, 2008 | #
Very good insight into spending responsibly and saving dollars at the same time.
July 30th, 2008 | #
Very good information for younger adults starting off and not wanting to get caught up in credit card trouble.
July 30th, 2008 | #
I thought this was a great article because its an eye opener for those who want expensive items.
August 1st, 2008 | #
Yes thats the way to live
August 6th, 2008 | #
thanx for the advice im going to make my list right now
August 6th, 2008 | #
Very informative/!
August 7th, 2008 | #
i know how this goes, i always see things that i want to buy, but i cant afford at the time. But when i am just really unhappy about my money situation i will just got buy that 4100 dollor purse i was looking at…but this is a really good article!
August 7th, 2008 | #
I have done this excercise and it does make sense. I’m young and want to enjoy the money now….but I know when I’m old I will need to have money saved so I won’t have to rely on the system.
August 7th, 2008 | #
thanks for this list i will get stared right now.
August 8th, 2008 | #
Thats cool!
August 11th, 2008 | #
Cool
August 11th, 2008 | #
That’s a great idea that can be put to good use in college.
August 13th, 2008 | #
This article was very informative, and interesting as well.
August 14th, 2008 | #
Excellent advice
August 18th, 2008 | #
THIS IS A GREAT ARTICLE for many student
August 19th, 2008 | #
A good article
August 21st, 2008 | #
wow this was actually informative
August 22nd, 2008 | #
It is one of the fantastic artical I have ever come across
August 25th, 2008 | #
wow
August 26th, 2008 | #
“Will you still need me will you still feed me when I’m sixty four” -The Beatles.
We all have to have a little enjoyment in life not just the budget!
August 30th, 2008 | #
Yes,This is true and really a great advice for people who spends money as water!!!!!!
September 5th, 2008 | #
this is all very true and i think this is great advice for people who spend money on water!!
September 13th, 2008 | #
good advice
September 17th, 2008 | #
this is very helpful and very helpful
September 17th, 2008 | #
This was useful and crazy at the same time
September 18th, 2008 | #
ThIs Is GREAT ADVICE!! LOVIN IT
September 20th, 2008 | #
GOOD ARTICEL VERY INFROMATIVE
September 24th, 2008 | #
the list hting is a good idea. i might try it
September 25th, 2008 | #
Very interesting. Thanks for the advice.
September 26th, 2008 | #
Interesting, when I am feeling down I usually Buy myself something really nice and Pretty. It Helps!!
September 27th, 2008 | #
its nice but its not for me
September 27th, 2008 | #
Really interesting and great advice!
September 27th, 2008 | #
good
September 30th, 2008 | #
this was a interesting article
September 30th, 2008 | #
very nice
September 30th, 2008 | #
sometime it happens for every body like that, but it happen once a while.
October 3rd, 2008 | #
some people dont realise how much they are spending on things they dont need. i wrote down everything i bought for a month and i was shocked to see how much money i was wasting on useless things.
October 3rd, 2008 | #
great article. informative. it is all in how a person manages their finances. think wisely. spend wisely. and you can still be happy, if you make wise choices
October 5th, 2008 | #
That’s awesome. I’ve actually done something remarkably similar with lists and it’s helped me curb my spending by figuring out what I really need, what I really want and what can wait until later.
Thanks for the article!!
October 7th, 2008 | #
very interesting.
October 10th, 2008 | #
it is very interesting
October 10th, 2008 | #
Great article
October 11th, 2008 | #
hmmm yes very interesting
October 11th, 2008 | #
That was a good reading.
October 13th, 2008 | #
this article was very helpful. thanks
October 15th, 2008 | #
sounds great
October 15th, 2008 | #
this was a good article
October 16th, 2008 | #
very good article
October 18th, 2008 | #
Good Advice, illhave to give this a try.
October 21st, 2008 | #
Good advice, ill have to give this a try
October 21st, 2008 | #
very good article!!!
October 22nd, 2008 | #
Very good advise.
October 22nd, 2008 | #
Verry good article I love it.
October 23rd, 2008 | #
very good advice
October 27th, 2008 | #
good article!!!!!!
October 29th, 2008 | #
I always prioritize my purchases. i will gladly give up buying a soda or even a meal to save up to buy climbing or skiing gear. I get much more pleasure doing those activities than eating.
October 29th, 2008 | #
It is very important information for everybody. Thank you!
October 29th, 2008 | #
The acticle has given me something to think about. I’ll try it.
October 30th, 2008 | #
GREAT IDEA FOR THIS TIME IN OUR LIVES WITH THE ECONOMY IN
SUCH TURMOIL THIS WILL WORK FOR ME.
October 31st, 2008 | #
i hope his works
October 31st, 2008 | #
Nice article. This is something I would have to look in to.
November 5th, 2008 | #
hahaha, i’ve been thinking twice before i spend my money now
November 6th, 2008 | #
This is great.
November 7th, 2008 | #
This is awesome.
November 13th, 2008 | #
I soo made my cousin read this.
November 13th, 2008 | #
good advice
November 15th, 2008 | #
woow awesome article!
November 20th, 2008 | #
thats really interesting, it make sense to me because im one who likes to strive for the big things in life.
November 22nd, 2008 | #
Lets see… I think my non-essential list will far exceed the length of my essential list. Great to hear about this information on saving money. I’ll definitely control my money more conservative now.
November 24th, 2008 | #
this sounds like a beneficial idea.
great.
November 29th, 2008 | #
this is a great way to actually look at what you are buying and how much money you are spending on things that you really don’t need, you just want them. Very interesting and informative article!
December 3rd, 2008 | #
I find this as and great advice for shopping addicts who buy themselves unnecessary items they probably wont need later on in the future. Well, you can say i am one of them.
December 10th, 2008 | #
it is like dieting.
January 2nd, 2009 | #
great advice!!
January 22nd, 2009 | #
good insight!
January 23rd, 2009 | #
so great !!!
January 30th, 2009 | #
This was very insightful!
February 4th, 2009 | #
interesting.
February 9th, 2009 | #
great article….ive done this before and it really is helpful to keep track of expenses
February 17th, 2009 | #
great perspective!
March 4th, 2009 | #
this is a good article. as anyone who has dieted before can tell you, if you rid yourself of something for too long it could lead to unhealthy cravings. the same is true for enjoying yourself, whether by a new purchase or an experiencial expenditure.
March 12th, 2009 | #
This article is great. If i had the time to buy worthless things i would but i have no time to buy anything. Besides that i thought the article was great information for those who do have the time o buy those things.
March 24th, 2009 | #
Sweet article
March 31st, 2009 | #
lol
April 21st, 2009 | #
thanks that was real insightful
April 22nd, 2009 | #
man…thats a real expensive handbag/purse
May 7th, 2009 | #
College is going to be an up and down roller coaster if you don’t choose to save, conserve, and spend according to a preset budget.
May 10th, 2009 | #
That’s really good advice. I’m only 19 and I’m already struggling with money. I’m trying to balance out my spending and saving and sometimes it can be hard. So thanks for the tips. I’ll use them.
May 15th, 2009 | #
Sounds like a solid plan
May 16th, 2009 | #
Very enjoyable article, I love reading sarcastic things like these! It was very good advice. I would love to read more.
May 23rd, 2009 | #
good idea!!!
May 25th, 2009 | #
very interesting! thanks!
May 26th, 2009 | #
I think this is really great advice and seems like a good plan.
May 26th, 2009 | #
This this article was very beneficial to me.
June 16th, 2009 | #
Good Article.
June 24th, 2009 | #
This is really good advice. I’m only 19 and I’m already struggling with money. I’m trying to balance out my spending and saving and sometimes it can be hard. So thanks for informing me.
June 25th, 2009 | #