Would you consider this or yourself greedy when you have to have something

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

After reading through this thread I'm starting to think that you and me are a dying breed man. My watch cost $200 and the battery recently died and I can't afford to replace it until next pay cheque. I haven't spent more than $30 on pants or a shirt in my life (the guy at Holt Renfrew asked me to please leave once ). My priorities just seem so different from a lot of people on this thread. It goes like this:

1) Food, shelter, clothing (myself and dog)
2) Vacation fund (slowly but steadily growing)
3) Everyday spending money (~$400 every month)

Needless to say I try to do a lot of inexpensive things for fun. Hiking, biking, climbing . . . outdoorsy stuff. Going out to a bar or a restaurant is just not an option for the most part.

We should start a club. If a t-shirt costs more than $10, it will never be a part of my wardrobe. My wife and I have not been out for dinner when we haven't had a gift certificate, oh I'd say going on three years now. I have not had a birthday/christmas/fathers day gift for 5 plus years now that was not somehow related to home improvements. But thats OK, thats what i am obsessed with.

And MissKat, when your contract is up, don't renew it and live for 6 months without a cell. You'll be amazed at how easy it is and how much you simply don't need a cell phone.

[MissKat]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

After reading through this thread I'm starting to think that you and me are a dying breed man. My watch cost $200 and the battery recently died and I can't afford to replace it until next pay cheque. I haven't spent more than $30 on pants or a shirt in my life (the guy at Holt Renfrew asked me to please leave once ). My priorities just seem so different from a lot of people on this thread. It goes like this:

1) Food, shelter, clothing (myself and dog)
2) Vacation fund (slowly but steadily growing)
3) Everyday spending money (~$400 every month)

Needless to say I try to do a lot of inexpensive things for fun. Hiking, biking, climbing . . . outdoorsy stuff. Going out to a bar or a restaurant is just not an option for the most part.

What, are you serious? *shakes head* this is why I refuse to even walk in Holt, way too many egos in there. I would end up getting in some fight with the girls there lol.

I really like your approach, listing the "neccesities" first. You are on the road to freedom and an early retirement. Keep up the good work! In fact Im writing down those pointers now

[V]

I still regularily wear my Curtis Joseph Oilers t-shirts. I bought them in 97, and they're still good, so why not?

VV is my favourite place to shop. The idea of spending 30 bucks for a dress shirt is completely foreign to me.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

MissKat, are you asian? I know a lot of my asian female friends that live at home till they are married, especially if they're the youngest girl or only girl.

On a side note, Asian parents can be tough to negotiate. I have a friend who chose to move out, so the dad doesn't speak to her anymore. She finds out her daily family news from her mom.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Just follow maslows hierarchy and you'll be fine.

[MissKat]

Originally Posted by Reaper

What convincing? You say "Mom and Dad, I'm moving out." And then you do. If you're over the age of 18 then you can move out because you're an adult.

Okay, just because you were "babied" doesn't mean it's not time to grow up. You could go on for years "blaming" your parents for spoiling you but how much dignity and integrity are you willing to whitle away before standing up on your own two feet. I know that the prospect of being independent and caring for yourself is a daunting prospect for some people but you need to remember that not all learning will feel good in your gut. Sometimes you will be scared. It's okay to be scared. It's not okay to let that fear prevent you from ever trying.

This is one of the things that some parents do. It's a partial fear of empty nest syndrome. They'll get over it.

You don't need to go to a third world country to appreciate what you have. If you want to see how things are on the other side of the tracks then go volunteer in a Soup Kitchen. This will help things hit close to home as the impoverished won't be on the other side of the world to serve as examples. They'll be right where you live.

Discipline is hard but if you're going to develop any sense of responsibility then you have to work at it.
Good first step.

Do you know of any soup kitchens? The mustard seed? I think i will definitely look into it. I need it pretty bad right now. Anything to put a stop to this nonsense spending. My family never even know how much I spend on stuff, if they found out they would kill me.

The fact is, I need to be getting rid of stuff in my basement suite, not bringing in more (xbox) haha Its too bad, I couldnt get rid of these glasses, if anything I suppose I could sell off my old frames.

And ya its not exactly the best feeling when uncles, aunts, cousins ask me "whats new" at the gatherings and Im just like..."uhhh...I bought this and bought that" lol. I dont say that, but...one of these days I would like to be saying "I just bought a new house"

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

No kidding, are you sure its a mortgage payment and not rent or a payment for a car or something.

I am paying 1386/month.

MYK

Nope, its a mortgage. Bought the house cheap, put my life savings down as a downpayment and get the staff rate from TD. Boo-ya!!

[V]

I put my life savings into my first house too, but it only totalled up to 8% of my house's price. And that was four years ago, when houses were cheap.

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by MissKat

Do you know of any soup kitchens? The mustard seed? I think i will definitely look into it. I need it pretty bad right now. Anything to put a stop to this nonsense spending. My family never even know how much I spend on stuff, if they found out they would kill me.

The fact is, I need to be getting rid of stuff in my basement suite, not bringing in more (xbox) haha Its too bad, I couldnt get rid of these glasses, if anything I suppose I could sell off my old frames.

And ya its not exactly the best feeling when uncles, aunts, cousins ask me "whats new" at the gatherings and Im just like..."uhhh...I bought this and bought that" lol. I dont say that, but...one of these days I would like to be saying "I just bought a new house"

Buying the right house at the right time is the best investment you could ever make. Shoot for that.

Have you thought of teaching english overseas like South Korea or Japan? Might shed some light on some things for you.

[MissKat]

Originally Posted by TheyCallMeBruce

MissKat, are you asian? I know a lot of my asian female friends that live at home till they are married, especially if they're the youngest girl or only girl.

On a side note, Asian parents can be tough to negotiate. I have a friend who chose to move out, so the dad doesn't speak to her anymore. She finds out her daily family news from her mom.

Yes, my dad is chinese and my mom is korean. Oh, you bet they are tough to negotiate with lol, if even possible at all.

My mom doesnt speak with one of her daughters, but that is based on a racial issue.

[Vansmack]

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

We should start a club. If a t-shirt costs more than $10, it will never be a part of my wardrobe. My wife and I have not been out for dinner when we haven't had a gift certificate, oh I'd say going on three years now. I have not had a birthday/christmas/fathers day gift for 5 plus years now that was not somehow related to home improvements. But thats OK, thats what i am obsessed with.

And MissKat, when your contract is up, don't renew it and live for 6 months without a cell. You'll be amazed at how easy it is and how much you simply don't need a cell phone.

i dont want to come off badly in saying this.... can't you live a little? I really think there has to be a happy meadian between the misskat type, and the save every last penny type. Why not go out for dinner once in a while for a special occasion? Isn't it nice to treat yourself, or your wife, every once in a while?

that being said I am not really one who should be talking. I just bought this http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/ser...=n32050n100187

but at least i restrained from buying this.
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/ser...=n32050n100187

Also I am a bit of a brand name guy. I buy seven jeans, or nudies, or other stuff like that...

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

I put my life savings into my first house too, but it only totalled up to 8% of my house's price. And that was four years ago, when houses were cheap.

Ya, we bought about 5 1/2 years ago and my life savings added up to I think 15 or 16%? Can't remember. It was strange having a certified cheque in my hand for $21,000......tempting to go to the car lot......

[V]

Yeah, those numbers seemed huge at the time. But now I'm about to write a 60K cheque for the downpayment on my next house, and I won't even blink an eye. Probably more because it's not my money, just the bank's.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by MissKat

Yes, my dad is chinese and my mom is korean. Oh, you bet they are tough to negotiate with lol, if even possible at all.

My mom doesnt speak with one of her daughters, but that is based on a racial issue.

Ah yes, the asian parents. My parents had no choice but to accept my independence. Not easy considering I am the only child in the family.

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by Vansmack

i dont want to come off badly in saying this.... can't you live a little? I really think there has to be a happy meadian between the misskat type, and the save every last penny type. Why not go out for dinner once in a while for a special occasion? Isn't it nice to treat yourself, or your wife, every once in a while?

that being said I am not really one who should be talking. I just bought this http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/ser...=n32050n100187

but at least i restrained from buying this.
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/ser...=n32050n100187

Also I am a bit of a brand name guy. I buy seven jeans, or nudies, or other stuff like that...

See that little midget in my avatar? Thats why we don't go out for dinner. Hard to drop $100 at the Keg when part-time daycare runs us $600/month.

And clothes have never been my thing. I just don't care what i look like or what others think about how i look. Drives my wife NUTS!

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by MissKat

My mom doesnt speak with one of her daughters, but that is based on a racial issue.

Let me guess...she's a dating a white dude?

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by TheyCallMeBruce

Ah yes, the asian parents. My parents had no choice but to accept my independence. Not easy considering I am the only child in the family.

How in the hell did you know she was Asian!?!

[MissKat]

Originally Posted by Vansmack

i dont want to come off badly in saying this.... can't you live a little? I really think there has to be a happy meadian between the misskat type, and the save every last penny type. Why not go out for dinner once in a while for a special occasion? Isn't it nice to treat yourself, or your wife, every once in a while?

that being said I am not really one who should be talking. I just bought this http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/ser...=n32050n100187

but at least i restrained from buying this.
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/ser...=n32050n100187

Also I am a bit of a brand name guy. I buy seven jeans, or nudies, or other stuff like that...

Nudies? lol jk

I agree, you only live once and you have to enjoy spending your money every now and then. My parents are the type who wont ever spend a single penny on themselves, and here I am

Thats a very nice TV. Sony still makes the best video displays (I dont care what anyone says) lol.

[MissKat]

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

downpayment on my next house

Gosh, I would love to be able to say that for myself one day lol

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by Vansmack

i dont want to come off badly in saying this.... can't you live a little? I really think there has to be a happy meadian between the misskat type, and the save every last penny type. Why not go out for dinner once in a while for a special occasion? Isn't it nice to treat yourself, or your wife, every once in a while?

that being said I am not really one who should be talking. I just bought this http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/ser...=n32050n100187

but at least i restrained from buying this.
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/ser...=n32050n100187

Also I am a bit of a brand name guy. I buy seven jeans, or nudies, or other stuff like that...

huh...so I can get that for around $5k...

Umm...anyone wanna buy my watch?