Hibroncocountry25 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 28, 2021 1:14 pm Happy Saturday!
Any other Bogleheads grow up poor or seeing family really struggle? My mom worked three jobs and parents divorced when I was 4. When I was young I have a ton of negative memories about money. It was a source of constant stress in my families life.
Now that I have money at 31 I am actively working on becoming better at spending. I do not wish to be frugal my whole life.
What have others done to help them spend more along the journey and not over think it?
I love saving/investing and building in life but I also know we are going to be just fine down the road (already millionaires and good chance of inheritance from my wife's side later in life). I want to get better at spending some more now, what has helped others?
I have a hard time spending directly on myself, not so hard spending to take my family/friends to dinner, or pay to take a trip etc. I just need to get better on spending a bit more on myself and am working on it.
Thank You!
I was raised by single parent (immigrant) making 6K a year for 30 years, we lived in government housing, my parents split up when I was 8 years old. My friends (the Jones) was better off than me, they had both working parents.
A friend mother' gave me Boy Scout uniform for summer camp, because she knew we didn't have any money. I was happy she did so, my mom was pissed and proud, she didn't want any handouts.
I started working full at 26, with local government, steady pay, health benefits, job security made me look to the future, I learned about compound interest and the stock market, thanks to a professor who showed me how to read the Wall Street Journal.
Keep a budget diary of your spending, this way you are self aware what you can afford to be frugal.
Be frugal for yourself, but be generous to others, ie family and friends.
Five crashes, and approx. 600K invested 34 years later at 61, retired this year, I am a two time homeowner, and net worth 3+ million. I self manage 2.6 million portfolio.
I enjoyed life, traveled across the country 8 times, I have friends now, it wasn't so growing up. I spend what I want and I am careful with money.