I’ll be honest. I really take pride in being smart with our money. I am proud of the fact that I save for a rainy day, shop thrifty, invest in our retirement, and pay our bills on time. A big part of being financially responsible involves delaying gratification. It doesn’t mean we don’t ever indulge or give into our vices. It does mean that we are deliberate about the way we spend and the motivation behind our spending. But let’s get real here. Sometimes it just down right sucks to be financially responsible.
So Many Wants, So Little Justification
Okay, so perhaps I’m not doing my job being a PSA for using a budget, but there are real downsides to being financially responsible. Check this out. I’m techie geek, right? It’s my job to keep up with the latest and greatest tools and gear to stay tip-of the spear in this whole blogosphere. Except, I’m also a personal finance nut.
It is not easy to be a cheapskate frugalista in an early adopter circle. Non tech speak: I can’t always justify spending cash on the latest and greatest tech gear when I have perfectly excellent, functioning equipment in my posession.
A lot of my motivation from this post is coming from the latest rash of unveilings of the newest KindleHD and iPad Mini. And iPhone 5. Le sigh.
And that’s just one example. As the head money guru in my house, I say “no” an awful lot. Especially to Homeskillet. I’d like to think he just finds comfort in expressing his spender tendencies, better out than in and all that jazz, but it gets so tiring being the voice of fiscal responsibility.
No, we don’t need a third television. We didn’t even need the second one.
No, we can’t justify buying the latest Kindle…you don’t really read books much, remember?
No, we don’t need to buy that case of <insert something ridiculous you’d have no need to buy in bulk>.
Why did you buy another coffee mug/pilsner/travel cup? We have tons! (Homeskillet has a thing for cups and mugs…I have no idea why)
See what I mean?
Those Darn Jones’
You know what makes me angrier about being so darn financially responsible? Feeling like I’m the damn wolfpack of one. Yep. Everybody’s all flashing their latest phone or rollin’ in their new car or got their nails done and their highlights in place and I’m all pissy because I just lost a chunk of my screen of my Droid and I’m not budging until I can get an upgrade at a reasonable price.
And I’m pissy because I can afford it and I’m CHOOSING not to buy it. CHOOSING.
Just because you make the choice to be financially responsible, doesn’t mean that it’s an easy choice. When has doing “the right thing” ever been the easy thing? It’s still worth it. <repeat and then say “woosah”>
The Part Where I Make You Feel Better
Okay, okay, so I’m whining. And I’m not going to buy the latest and greatest techie gear, yet. I’m going to do what I always do and it typically makes me feel better: I’ll save for it. Or wait for the prices go down. Probably both. I kinda get off on saving money and finding a great deal.
In all fairness, “It’s good to be the King,” when it comes to your finances.
Being financially responsible means:
- We won’t lose sleep over not having money in the event of an emergency
- We’ll be able to retire in accordance to our plans
- We never have to worry about having our credit report pulled in the event of applying for a loan, new utility account, or lease agreement
- We’ll be able to send our kids’ to college with tuition covered
and…we can splurge IF we really want to.
What do you think sucks about being financially responsible?
Image from 401kcalculator.org.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
Oh, I soooo know what you mean. This lovely almost 4 year old is screaming to be replaced, but it still does the job so the new Mac Pro that I am coveting will have to wait. And my smartphone fell into a paint pan (don’t ask) a few months ago, but because I am no where near an upgrade I am living with its quirks. And don’t get me started about manis/pedis….I do not indulge very often. I had a pedi last year for the first time in 5 years. It was a gift. I get my hair cut and colored if I can sell enough bags every month so I don’t take from the budget.
Stay the course my friend.
You are a sister after my own soul! We’ll stay strong together!