How do I stop being so tight with money?

LegacyUser

Hello,

I think by most measures I am well off. I earn 70k+ a year and have over 100k in savings.

My problem is that I am a miser. I hate spending money on things that are overvalued. For example, I will not buy an iPhone for 800 euro. They are based on their name and not on the quality.

Don't get me wrong, I sometimes spend big when it's good value...still with an element of miserness in there though. I was thinking of buying an audi but again thought against it due to the cost of the name, so I bought a Skoda instead.

I despise paying 1.60 for a small bottle of coke when I can get a can for 30c in a multipack.

How do I stop being so tight?

You are in a very enviable position. I cannot ever imagine having 100k in savings.

There's nothing wrong with being thrifty. Go for the multipack and the good deal if you want to.

The real question is whether you are generous or not. You can afford to give charitably, to treat loved ones, to tip well. That is what defines tightness in my book, not being careful with the grocery spend and good with savings.

In terms of enjoying your own life, as my sister in law would say, there are no pockets in the shroud (i.e. you can't take it with you when you die). Enjoy it now.

Tell me how

Being prudent is not the same as being tight.

Have you been called tight? Do you refuse to buy a drink at the cinema, even though you are thirsty because you think it's over priced and can have a drink when you get home?
Do you tell your partner ye don't need to go out for a meal as eating at home is just as good?

If you really want solutions to how you can relax and not think about money (or see yourself as being tight), maybe force yourself to spend €10/week on something which ordinarily you wouldn't do.

ManOfMystery

Thrifty = not paying over the odds for things you can get cheaper.
Tight = not wanting to pay for anything.

I would classify someone as tight if they don't ever buy new clothes, don't take holidays, don't buy rounds at the bar, don't ever pay for dinner, etc. People who literally try and stash away every penny they have. I often wonder what enjoyment they possibly gain from life, and what exactly are they stashing it for - what's the endgame? I've seen plenty go into old age with same mindset, constantly stashing it away but never actually then using it for anything. They can't take that big pot with them at the end. Of course, saving some money is sensible but like everything in life, some do it to extremes.

Looking for a better deal is just being sensible financially. I earn a good wage too but I also buy multipacks, what's the sense in paying 90p for a tin of Coke in the machine at work when it works out at 29p in the Multipack? I have an older iPhone which my work supplied for free - 6 of 7 of my close circle of friends all have iPhone 8s at least, if not the X - which cost a fortune. Asides from some improvements in performance and display, my phone does pretty much everything theirs do and meets all my requirements.

You've obviously sensible enough to have saved over 100k. If you're concerned that you could be bordering on being tight, I'd suggest that you're probably in a safe enough position to set aside a certain amount per week (doesn't have to be huge) which you can use for socialising or just for fun or whatever. Call it expendable money and write it off mentally as soon as you take it out of the bank. And use that for those occasions when you just want to not care about what you're spending it on.

Ursus Horribilis

On the surface, I'm not seeing anything to suggest you are tight. Not wanting to own an iPhone or an Audi isn't all that odd. I'm not seeing why buying a Skoda instead is being miserly. I assume you're happy with your car?

I'd like to know more about your everyday spending though and why you think you are tight. Have people said it to you?

I used to have an acquaintance who was obsessed with money. He'd nearly turn over every penny before he spent it and bought a lot of "reduced to clear" foods. He'd never go out with the rest of us for a cup of coffee. Maybe it's just as well because he'd probably sit there with a glass of water and comment on how expensive the coffee or cake was. Someone like that, who constantly watches the price of everything, becomes very tiresome after a while.

Do you deprive yourself of things because of the price? Or dictate where you and your friends /partner go based on the cost? That sort of thing grows old after a while.

baby and crumble

camel12 wrote: »

My problem is that I am a miser. I hate spending money on things that are overvalued.

TBH op that's not miserliness, that's just common sense. Like others have said, looking for value is different from penny-pinching. If you were a true 'miser' you would have bought a banger rather than a Skoda. Or no car at all, and just depended on buses etc.

There's always a 'tipping point' in the price of goods, where the increased cost doesn't equal better value or usability. Everyone's 'tipping point' will be different, and so long as you stay on the right side of your individual tipping point I don't see the problem. If you can get the things you want and need at that 'sweet spot' of price vs value then you're laughing.

Now, if you're living a miserable life with no enjoyment and refusing to ever have nice things or treat friends and family because they cost money, then yeah, I'd look at addressing why it's an issue, but like, you don't seem to have an issue spending money for things you need. You just seem to have, to me, a sensible attitude to money and budgeting. It seems unusual in this day and age, but it was how previous generations lived, and how a lot of people (myself included) are trying or should get back to.

Tell me how

baby and crumble wrote: »

TBH op that's not miserliness, that's just common sense. Like others have said, looking for value is different from penny-pinching. If you were a true 'miser' you would have bought a banger rather than a Skoda. Or no car at all, and just depended on buses etc.

A true miser would buy no car but try to constantly scrounge lifts off colleagues or housemates.

Paddy Cow

It sound more like you are careful with money, rather than tight. Tight would be not putting the heating on in winter when you can afford it and suffering through the cold to save a few euro. Do you stand your round when in the pub? Just because you are on a good salary, doesn't mean you have to fritter away your money. I have friends who are doctors and earn good money but they would be frugal as well. It's just common sense.

SirChenjin

As others have said, the examples you give don't sound like you are being miserly.

If you keep a good standard of living generally, spend on what is important to you (holidays/ social life/ hobbies/ whatever) and are decent to yourself and others in your life, then I think you are doing fine.

khaldrogo

camel12 wrote:

How do I stop being so tight?

Don't!

Spend money on things you want. Don't spend on things you don't want. I wish I was like you

Aglomerado

You sound pretty normal OP. I wouldn't spend 800 on an iphone either... I'd just lose it. I have form.

Do you enjoy yourself apart from that...i.e. do you take holidays, go to concerts etc?

The_Honeybadger

We live in a throwaway consumer era full of waste. Your attitude to money sounds fine, you are careful but not tight. I’d be the same. Once you are not ducking out of paying your way for things I don’t see the issue.

SozBbz

Hi OP,

To echo what others have said, I don't think you sound tight, just sensible and maybe more impervious to materialism than most.

My OH would be a bit like you. Earnings and savings in a similar ballpark. Its just not very expensive to be him! He doesnt really care about clothes, drives an older BMW 3 series (316 petrol) which is cheap enough to run. He bought it for a few grand a few years ago and at this stage it doesnt owe him anything. He could easily go out and buy a new flashy car, but he's not that interested in cars, and the one he has just sailed through the NCT again aged 13 Until, it starts costing him, he won't change it, no matter how old it gets.

He wouldn't be to the point of not buying a can of coke if he wanted one, but generally he doesnt like spending on unnecessary things like the latest phone. He's out of contract and he'll buy another when the current one stops working. He's just not wasteful I suppose, rather than tight.

We do spend money on nice holidays, eating out and doing things with friends. He puts his hand in his pocket at the bar. He lives his life and money has never been as issue between us. He has one hobby that he spends a bit on but its very affordable for him.

I'm more spendy than him. I like clothes (inc designed handbags) and eating out, but i'm probably also the one who enjoys a good supermarket multipack! I buy loads of Tesco own brand stuff and love a good trip to Aldi. Its all about what you percieve to be value for money. Handbags bring me joy, but I'll happily buy own brand pasta or butter or milk (or whatever) if I can't tell the differnce taste wise.

ongarboy

I think everyone else has said it, you are not tight. I would say you are prudent which is not a bad thing.

If you are doing things that make you feel unhappy or dissatisfied (ie buying something to eat or drink that tastes crap because it is cheaper than the superior brand even though you can more than comfortably afford the more expensive brand than that is being miserly). A Skoda and prior model smart phone does not compromise your requirements so you are not being miserly there. If you were shivering in your sitting room in winter because you didn't want to turn on the heat even though you could well afford it - that would be miserly too - plenty of people with money actually do this and are miserly but again it sounds like you wouldn't?

If you try to avoid rounds in bars or avoid treating friends or families to coffees/meals/treats etc that you know you can easily afford, that would be mean to others as well as miserly. It sounds like you would not do this.

Why are you bothered about being sensible and prudent with money? Has someone called you up on it? Now that you realize you are not miserly (a very negative word that most people would not want to be labelled), does this make you feel you do not have as much of a dilemma?

Is there a charity or cause that means something special to you or where you would like to contribute to? Perhaps you can give a monthly subscription of 10 euro or more to them? That would be one way to reassure yourself that you are not miserly. Misers certainly would not give to charities!

Batgurl

OP - as others have said, what you are describing sounds financially prudent but only IF it’s only you who you are expecting this behaviour of and you are happy with it.

If you have a wife/husband and/or kids and are always expecting the same behaviour of them, then that can come across as miserly.

You need to realise that not everyone has the same values as you. I personally can’t fathom spending €50 a month (or whatever it is) on sky sports but to my partner, it’s a no-brainer.

Same way that I have no problem handing over 3 figures to get my hair done but they changed barbers when they put their price up to €12.

Different strokes for different folks and that tolerance is something you need to ingrain in your mind.

Heres Johnny

You're not tight at all, you've a good attitude to money. I'm a bit the same, but I did buy the Audi (for my other half) and a BMW for myself. Both used, 4 years old. Some things I hate paying for

Parking, got me in trouble more than once
Haircuts, shave my own head now
Bottled water, waste of money
Taxis short journeys, prefer to walk
Lotto
People selling tickets for kids clubs in work and asking while I'm in company
Property tax
Water charge (didn't pay it)
Sky sports and expensive TV subscriptions
New cars costing 60k,i bought 2 used cars that were once 60k for less than the price of a new one.

Things I will spend money on

Used Audi cars
Used BMW cars
Diesel
My house
Nice food
Nice clothes
Beer
Presents for my girlfriend
Pension
Investments

You see by not paying for things I don't like I have enough to buy what I do like.
I'm not right, but I'm not stupid either.

Ursus Horribilis

Are you in the habit of commenting on money? For example, I wouldn't buy an iPhone in a fit. I think they're overpriced and I dislike the cult of Apple. But I'm careful who I say that to because I've plenty of people in my life who have iPhones. If owning an iPhone makes them happy and they like them, who am I to rain on their parade? It's their money and their choice.

Do you turn down offers of socialising or going for a cup of coffee because of the higher prices? Do you make other people feel bad about it? That having an overpriced cappuccino and pastry in Costa Coffee is a nonsense when you can buy the same in Lidl for about 50c. Everyone knows that but that's not the point here. This miser thing didn't come from nowhere.

sporina

i think that the question you have to ask yourself is, how does it affect your personal life? your relationships? your health/well being? e.g. would you rather wait for the dvd to come out than go to the movies with a loved one? would you rather eat at home than go to a restaurant with family/loved ones? ie do you compromise your relationships due to your "tightness?'..

this will help you to gauge whether or not you actually have a problem..

ILoveYourVibes

I dunno maybe aim to earn more and you will be more comfortable spending? Ask your boss for a big fat raise lol!

Spend it on people you love? Buy your parents nice things?

Hang around friends or people that spend money a lot? That way it will feel a bit more normal for you.

Its not a nice trait to have or be known for.

Addle

You read like you’re wise with money as opposed to miserly.
I wish I was wise with money!
What are you saving for?

Wanderer78

camel12 wrote:

How do I stop being so tight?

Your purchase decisions sound wise to me, I haven't bought a phone in easily 10 years, you d be surprised what people call waste, Skoda's make lovely cars nowadays. Over consumption is destroying the planet, invest your money wisely, and enjoy life, maybe travel a bit, enjoy your money, you work hard for it. Best of luck

bee06

I would be kind of like you OP. I spend money on the things that matter to me but am sensible with money too. I have relaxed my spending over the last few years influenced by my husband. He’s a bit more “free” with spending money (but by no means mad) and he gives me a reality check when I’m being over the top sensible. In turn I reign him in.

I don’t see it as being miserly, just using a bit of thoughtfulness with money. As a result I have savings to be able to buy a new car, pay off some of our mortgage, don’t have to stress about our kids going to college etc.

sporina

camel12 wrote: »

Hello,

I think by most measures I am well off. I earn 70k+ a year and have over 100k in savings.

My problem is that I am a miser. I hate spending money on things that are overvalued. For example, I will not buy an iPhone for 800 euro. They are based on their name and not on the quality.

Don't get me wrong, I sometimes spend big when it's good value...still with an element of miserness in there though. I was thinking of buying an audi but again thought against it due to the cost of the name, so I bought a Skoda instead.

I despise paying 1.60 for a small bottle of coke when I can get a can for 30c in a multipack.

How do I stop being so tight?

would be nice to hear back from you OP.. there are a lot of replies since your post

Tell me how

sporina wrote: »

would be nice to hear back from you OP.. there are a lot of replies since your post

Amazing how often that happens. A particular topic gets a lot of traction except the OP never participates beyond their OP.

Becomes frustrating when you seem them active on other threads but not engaging on the one they started. (Not referring to this OP in this case but have seen it regularly with others)

woodchuck

sporina wrote: »

would be nice to hear back from you OP.. there are a lot of replies since your post

Mod note:

Please be aware that the OP is under no obligation to provide updates and it is against the charter to ask.

sporina

woodchuck wrote: »

Mod note:

Please be aware that the OP is under no obligation to provide updates and it is against the charter to ask.

apologies - didn't know that it was against charter to ask

LegacyUser

I'm reading your replies!

Thanks for the input.

The question over whether my decisions are based on money are hard to answer. I don't socialise a whole lot because I don't have the opportunity to.

I went to the cinema recently with some friends, I didn't care about the ticket. I didn't buy any popcorn or sweets because I view that as a waste of money. If they were like reasonable prices I would have got some but paying 3+ euro for a coke, and other stuff is a waste.

I had got a comment before from a family member. We were discussing someone (there were 3 or 4 of us) and I can't remember what was said but the family member jokingly said that "they spend their money.. not like you". It was like a banter comment rather than a praise of my spending.

What would you do in my situation? I have got a nice savings number but my way of living isn't that high. I've never gotten used to living a lavish lifestyle so I don't feel like I'm missing out. You don't miss what you never had.

Tell me how

camel12 wrote: »

I'm reading your replies!

Thanks for the input.

The question over whether my decisions are based on money are hard to answer. I don't socialise a whole lot because I don't have the opportunity to.

I went to the cinema recently with some friends, I didn't care about the ticket. I didn't buy any popcorn or sweets because I view that as a waste of money. If they were like reasonable prices I would have got some but paying 3+ euro for a coke, and other stuff is a waste.

I had got a comment before from a family member. We were discussing someone (there were 3 or 4 of us) and I can't remember what was said but the family member jokingly said that "they spend their money.. not like you". It was like a banter comment rather than a praise of my spending.

What would you do in my situation? I have got a nice savings number but my way of living isn't that high. I've never gotten used to living a lavish lifestyle so I don't feel like I'm missing out. You don't miss what you never had.

I would pay attention to the comment by the family member as those closest to us often see behaviour which we do not see ourselves.

That being said, I wouldn't go throwing money away and trying to spend to please or impress others.

Maybe ask the family member to discuss it. They might just see you as prudent also (which still means holding on to money) but it is different than being seen as tight.

Or, maybe try what the really wise individual above said about trying to spend €10/week on stuff you wouldn't ordinarily do just to open your mind to using money for trivial things at times rather than just necessities.

Earthhorse

I don’t see the issue here. You don’t seem to have an issue with your own spending habits so why do you want to change them? Until you answer that question I think all the replies here will be for naught.

rainbowtrout

You sound like you're doing ok OP. I think the main difference between miserliness and thriftiness is that miserly behaviour does impact on others. Not always (the example of not using the heating to save money is a good one). If you think the junk food on offer at the cinema is too expensive then that's fine, you don't have purchase and lots of people don't. On the other hand if you are inside with your family or friends and scrounging off them after refusing to buy anything, then that is miserly.


There's nothing wrong with being prudent with your finances, but do you spend any money on yourself that you would consider a treat? It doesn't have to be large amounts of money (iPhone, Audi etc) but simple stuff like tea and a bun in a coffee shop.... it's cheaper to buy it in the supermarket and eat it at home, but sitting down and having it served up to you is part of the treat.

I suspect that the comment by a family member is from long term observance and noticing that you possibly don't spend any money when you are out anywhere in their company. It doesn't impact on their life (if it doesn't involve anything like rounds in a pub etc) but they view it as miserly as they think you never spend any money.

Ursus Horribilis

Without knowing more about how you live your life, it's hard to give an answer that doesn't involve loads of guesswork. I don't consider myself to be a tight person but I have been known to smuggle my own snacks into the cinema (I also splash out at the snack bar sometimes).

We don't know how old you are, if you own your own home or what sort of life you live. A conclusion I am reaching about someone saving that amount of money, combined with the comments from your family, is that you're living a monastic existence. Do you ever take holidays, for example? Are you depriving yourself of enjoyments and experiences, big and small, because you view things through the lens of value for money?

What I'm not getting is why this is bothering you. If you can't bear to spend a bit of money frivolously, that's your business. It's as if it struck some sort of chord with you. Is there any reason why you are so obsessed with the price of everything and that you speak in such strong terms about buying things that are dearer than they should be?

Abba987

camel12 wrote: »

Hello,

I think by most measures I am well off. I earn 70k+ a year and have over 100k in savings.

My problem is that I am a miser. I hate spending money on things that are overvalued. For example, I will not buy an iPhone for 800 euro. They are based on their name and not on the quality.

Don't get me wrong, I sometimes spend big when it's good value...still with an element of miserness in there though. I was thinking of buying an audi but again thought against it due to the cost of the name, so I bought a Skoda instead.

I despise paying 1.60 for a small bottle of coke when I can get a can for 30c in a multipack.

How do I stop being so tight?

I am aiming to reach everything in your post ! More savings and less waste. Nothing wrong with a Skoda!

pwurple

OP, you're not a miser at all. You're non-consumerist and understand the value of money.

It's something many aspire to be, so be proud of it.

GreeBo

OP I am exactly the same and have no issues with it, I am much better off than many of my peers thanks to it.

I don't like spending money unless I am getting value, I will typically shop in sales or online to save money, I get satisfaction from saving money.

However if I decide I want to drop a couple of grand on some luxury item I will and being careful with money is what enables me to do this.
If I was spending €10 a day on coffee or something then I wouldnt be able to treat myself.

rainbowtrout

GreeBo wrote: »

OP I am exactly the same and have no issues with it, I am much better off than many of my peers thanks to it.

I don't like spending money unless I am getting value, I will typically shop in sales or online to save money, I get satisfaction from saving money.

However if I decide I want to drop a couple of grand on some luxury item I will and being careful with money is what enables me to do this.
If I was spending €10 a day on coffee or something then I wouldnt be able to treat myself.

I would echo this exactly. I like to travel and spend a lot of money on a decent holiday every summer. Sometimes go on two holidays. I’m heading to China in a couple of weeks. I value being able to afford to do something like that than spending my money mindlessly on things I don’t need. I don’t spend huge sums of money on clothes to replace them a few months later. I don’t upgrade my phone every year, when I need a new phone I see what is available on upgrade so I usually wouldn’t have the latest model but they all do the same thing anyway.

On the other hand I have a friend who has a massive wardrobe of clothing, plenty of clothes I’ve only seen her wear once, but has lived in her overdraft for the last 15 years. That lifestyle is not for me.

whats that 100k for OP

you renting, do you own your own place?

do you travel?

is it all going to fund a long and happy early retirement?

if you have answers to the above, you know why youre doing it and just need to remind yourself of that

if you dont....then forget the micromanagement questions and ask yourself the one big question- whats all this money going to be for?

GreeBo

Deleted User wrote: »

whats that 100k for OP

you renting, do you own your own place?

do you travel?

is it all going to fund a long and happy early retirement?

if you have answers to the above, you know why youre doing it and just need to remind yourself of that

if you dont....then forget the micromanagement questions and ask yourself the one big question- whats all this money going to be for?

I dont think you need an answer to that question actually.
Maybe its as simple as comfort in knowing that its there?

Ursus Horribilis

Unless it's a compulsive thing? It's not clear if our OP is denying themselves holidays, living on pot noodles or sitting on battered furniture to save up this nest egg. I've heard of people who scrimped and saved all their lives, only to die and leave a big sum of money to someone else. Only for them to piss it up against a wall.

LegacyUser

I'm saving for a house. No goal in mind. I'm not actively saving. I'm just not spending it.

I don't stop myself doing things due to money like going for holidays. I don't go because it's not something I desire.

As someone else said, I go for value. I spend big if it's something I want and it's value.

I'm generous to some friends if they're struggling. A few years back a friend of mine was struggling and I gave them I think 4 or 500 euro.

I hear people in work saying things like "can't wait for payday" or "the account is low" and I'm wondering am I just tight that I'm not like that?

Dial Hard

camel12 wrote:

I'm saving for a house. No goal in mind. I'm not actively saving. I'm just not spending it.

Those two statements completely contradict eachother.

I dunno, OP, there's something about your posts that suggests this is a bit of a compulsive thing for you. The fact that your family have brought it up is quite telling too. It's something to keep an eye on. Like, do you really not go on holidays because you've no interest, or have you no interest because you know it's going to cost you a good few bob?

sporina

ok so two observations from your posts OP..

1. Lifestyle.. you seem to live quiet a "quiet" life.. you don't go out much.. you don't go on holidays.. etc,.. (you said that you don't have the opportunity to socialise much - why is this?)

2. Money - you have a lot of money..

So which is feeding into which - does your lack of desire to "live" more just mean that as a result you have more money? or does your desire to be economical (or only spend if you deem something is good value) result in you not living a more fuller life? ie socialising, going on trips etc..

Money aside, are you happy with your lifestyle? (which seems to be v quiet)..

LegacyUser

Dial Hard wrote: »

Those two statements completely contradict eachother.

I dunno, OP, there's something about your posts that suggests this is a bit of a compulsive thing for you. The fact that your family have brought it up is quite telling too. It's something to keep an eye on. Like, do you really not go on holidays because you've no interest, or have you no interest because you know it's going to cost you a good few bob?

No they don't.

The money I have will go towards a house.

I'm just not forcing myself to put 500 a month towards a house.

I don't go abroad for my main annual leave but I go abroad multiple times a year with 1 day off or over a weekend.

I'm away with work a lot so feel I experience it that way. My friends are mostly hitched so no one to go with anyways.

rainbowtrout

camel12 wrote: »

I'm saving for a house. No goal in mind. I'm not actively saving. I'm just not spending it.

I don't stop myself doing things due to money like going for holidays. I don't go because it's not something I desire.

As someone else said, I go for value. I spend big if it's something I want and it's value.

I'm generous to some friends if they're struggling. A few years back a friend of mine was struggling and I gave them I think 4 or 500 euro.

I hear people in work saying things like "can't wait for payday" or "the account is low" and I'm wondering am I just tight that I'm not like that?

You know OP, I don't think there's a massive issue here. We have been programmed as a society over time to consume. We are constantly bombarded with ads to buy 'stuff'. Shopping is a hobby and a way to spend time for many. I'm not totally immune to it, but it's become even easier to browse on amazon or the likes and buy things with a few clicks, whether we need it or not.

You sound like you don't really do that and when you're not frittering away money on stuff you didn't intend to buy but picked it up when browsing, it's easy to have money in the bank account at the end of the month.

I don't think I'm the only person who has gone into Penney's to buy socks and come out with a bagful of stuff and €80 less in my pocket. Ditto for the likes of IKEA. But I probably didn't really need most of it. I get the impression that you don't do that OP. And that mindset is quite alien for a lot of people today.

sporina

camel12 wrote: »

No they don't.

The money I have will go towards a house.

I'm just not forcing myself to put 500 a month towards a house.

I don't go abroad for my main annual leave but I go abroad multiple times a year with 1 day off or over a weekend.

I'm away with work a lot so feel I experience it that way. My friends are mostly hitched so no one to go with anyways.

basically, do you feel that your relationship with money is affecting your quality of life? and by that i mean your personal life - your happiness... your overall well being?

vargoo

camel12 wrote: »

No they don't.

The money I have will go towards a house.

70k a year, no house and only 100k in the bank.

You're not tight with money.

whippet

My father in law is a millionaire .. he does like some fine things in life .. but he drives a 12 year old car (nothing too fancy) as he would see changing it as unnecessary.

He won’t fly business class as he sees no need, will never pay top rate for hotels .. will haggle and haggle until it becomes embarrassing.

His house and furnishings are exquisite mind you .. as he lives there an it’s his private space.

Frivolous spending does not go hand in hand with having money

SozBbz

OP, do you have joy in your life?

Would spending a bit of money improve your quality of live? If yes, then for me that would be value for money.

This thread really got me thinking.

I'm would consider myself a bit spendy but fundamentally sensible. I don't smoke or go out drinking a huge amount (past that age frankly) but I like to go for nice meals and would buy nice wine or fancy gins to drink at home at the weekend, because life is too short to sit around drinking stuff you don't enjoy.

I probably spend too much on clothes and have recently started trying to buy more investment pieces, good coats, handbags etc with the aim of having them for years and years, but they're not cheap.

I do however have a whole list of things I cheap out on because I just don't think they matter.
- leg waxing - my local place charges €42 a pop so i just bought an epilator and now do it myself
- groceries - I think I have this down to a fine art. I buy really good food but I know where to get the best of everything at the best price and am quite anal about it. I'm the embodiment of that BBC show with that Greg guy from Masterchef - I think its called "eat well for less".
- we're talking about getting married next year - if I get my way it will be registry office and immediate family only. Now with various influences that might not exactly happen but I definitely don't want the €30k standard Irish wedding. Again, I just dont see the value.
- my hair - for a woman my age I spend the least of anyone I know. €20 3/4 times per year on a basic trim. I have nice, long straight hair and I don't see any reason to spend more.

Theres probably more, but on the surface I'm sure I'd appear frivolous to some but it doesnt mean I'm not good with money. I've never been one of those paycheck to paycheck people and struggle often to understand when colleagues in particular (given that we probably all earn roughly the same) remark that they're broke for the last week of the month.

Some people are just inherently not good with money. From my read of things you could stand to loosen the purse strings a little just to enable a bit more spontaneity (have that over priced cinema drink next time! it won't break you!) You won't suddenly become bad with money by having an over priced coke.

Also, maybe make more of a plan about that house. Having something solid in your mind to spend that €100k on might make it more meaningful to you. Surely having a home of your own would bring a sense of satisfaction.

lyinghere

What age is OP? 100k savings is impressive. i feel a bit guilty now!

Addle

Do you still have your communion money?

Eric Cartman

The point at which you know youre tight is when you start picking what you eat in a restaurant based on price (you want x but y is cheaper so you pick that and try convince yourself x wasnt going to taste better anyway) , call things a ripoff all the time and constantly make conversation by calling things a ripoff or will physically cause yourself discomfort to save money (e.g. incredibly thirsty, dying for a drink but rather than grab a bottle of water before your commute home you'll sit in discomfort for hours just to save <1 euro)

LegacyUser

camel12 wrote: »

I'm saving for a house. No goal in mind. I'm not actively saving. I'm just not spending it.

I don't stop myself doing things due to money like going for holidays. I don't go because it's not something I desire.

As someone else said, I go for value. I spend big if it's something I want and it's value.

I'm generous to some friends if they're struggling. A few years back a friend of mine was struggling and I gave them I think 4 or 500 euro.

I hear people in work saying things like "can't wait for payday" or "the account is low" and I'm wondering am I just tight that I'm not like that?

I disagree with people here. you sound miserly to me. making excuses i don't like any holiday/the family comment . did you get the 500 back. do you buy rounds in a pub. do you tip waiter if you go for meal. do you go for meal.? what do you do after work, do you get a drink to take home do you drink?

the fact you have to ask how can you stop being as you are shows it must be a problem .