Comments on: I met Mr. Jones…

By: Kristina

Kristina — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 06:46:00 +0000

I’m a little behind on my blog reading so I may be commenting a bit late, but I loved this post. I agree totally that what we consider to be a comfortable life is so out of whack with reality. In our home our situation is: we have two children, one full time income and one part time income. Neither of us makes all that much money (yet). We don’t own a house and we have just one car that will soon be paid off. This makes things interesting but workable. Neither of us uses a cell phone b/c they are simply out of our budget right now. We go out to eat once every few months (well, McDonalds once or twice per month, but usually for about $5-$10). The area we live in is wonderful but expensive, but with kids it’s worth squeezing the pocket book to live here.

Recently I’ve been using coupons for food and personal care items (heck, anything!) and that has helped us save around 25 percent of our normal budget, coupled with a well planned strategy before shopping. I’m aiming for 50 percent savings if possible without having to resort to junky food. I have to say, I’d rather live simply like this and in real terms than be bloated on spending and be in debt. We don’t want a mansion (emergency fund and travel, yes). 1500 sq feet is pretty big in my standards too! I think our place is around 1000 sq feet and it’s plenty for us. Priorities, priorities.

By: mOOm

mOOm — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:06:00 +0000

We live a pretty comfortable life on the equivalent of $US 50k per year. We rent a 2 bed 1000 sq ft apartment in a nice neighborhood near the centre of our city, have one 2004 large car bought secondhand, use business travel to help pay for “vacation travel” (we went to China / Hong Kong in October) eat well at home, eat out and moderately priced places about once a week. And we’re even saving money (apart from retirement contributions). Our furniture cost in the hundreds of dollars range not thousands. We don’t have children though yet. When I get a good job too sometime soon hopefully I don’t think our lifestyle will expand by a lot. It will by a little. Our saving will though.

I don’t think it takes huge incomes to live a nice comfortable life and you don’t need to be crazy frugal either. Just get good value for money in your expenditures.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:51:00 +0000

After reading “Your Money or Your Life” 14 years ago, I decided that a “comfortable life” entailed a 800sq. ft. condo (paid for), no debt, lots of money in the bank and absolutely no worries about bills. I also found that I’d rather pay for experiences than things so we live simply and cheaply and go to Europe once a year to see friends. Unfortunately, I have become a money hoarder and it’s quite difficult to relax and spend a little. That was my New Years resolution, by the way, to ease up a little!

By: rschaap

rschaap — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:49:00 +0000

Great points, love the perspective you wrote. We just moved into a 2000 square foot house, me and my wife, and to be completely frank – it’s almost too large. We have a basement and a 2 car garage (what I needed), and outside of that… if everyone has a room to themselves, it’s luxurious.

By: TStrump

TStrump — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:40:00 +0000

Great post!
I think it really hits home the true cost of trying to keep up with people and put on an ‘image’
$8,000 for a couch?! Rediculous!
Hopefully, your brother is happy.

By: kokostiletto

kokostiletto — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:42:00 +0000

FB i totally agree with you! i don’t want a big place either b/c i hate cleaning people buy into that luxurious lifestyle and that is the problem…

By: suzie wuzie

suzie wuzie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:46:00 +0000

i reckon that the more u earn, the more you ‘can’ spend. i found that out during my early years when i got a parttime job during uni and now at the end of my first year at work. but then i don’t think you need to spend it and choose the expensive stuff. sure the rare occasional one is good. but now i choose carefully what i spend my money on

By: Natalie MacNeil

Natalie MacNeil — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:23:00 +0000

All the ladies here seem to have strong values that mean so much more than material things.

This post made me think about the incredible Warren Buffett who still lives in the 5 bedroom house he bought in 1958 for $31,500 and uses coupons!

By: MoneyMateKate

MoneyMateKate — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:24:00 +0000

Unfortunately, most people need to financially screw up in order see the flaws in their habits and thinking. I reckon it’s better to do that in your 20s by picking the wrong student loan repayment plan or charging up $5000 of clothes for your first “real” job. I don’t even know your brother and now I’m worried about him and his little kids!

By: poor boomer

poor boomer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:15:00 +0000

“And you know something’s happening/ but you don’t know what is/ do you, Mr. Jones?”

- Bob Dylan, Ballad of a Thin Man