Who's proud of being money-smart?

[Frugal_Scott]

In our consumerist society, we're told that it's practically patriotic to live beyond our means.

But for a few of us who've learned how much we can live without, isn't it a great feeling? I live very modestly, and I'm not ashamed of it. I see TV commercials, and it's like they're from some other planet. (Why would anyone buy some of that stuff?)

Anyway, sometimes it seems like we have to apologize for not having a new car, or a half-million-dollar mortgage. But really...we're not the crazy ones.

Are we?

[Incognito]

I agree; and I've noticed that some people are actually ashamed of saving money, due to an erroneous & self-deluded concept of personal responsibility relative to their own self-concept/status.

It's nice to be able to see through advertising ploys, instead of being easily influenced by consumerism. And it's a sign of wisdom and maturity to choose how and when to spend your money, instead of being pressured by the materialism of one's peers.

[Samigirl]

I am! I have to laugh at myself whenever somebody compliments an article of clothing, or an item in my house. Usually the first words out of my mouth are..."I got this on clearance for only X amount of dollars"....or "I got that at a yard sale"...LOL.

[OOwl]

Yep, I hear ya. We recently purchased a smaller home than we could "afford," in a neighborhood that wasn't "fashionable," but somewhere we were comfortable and happy with. Friends and family were just dumbfounded by our choice. I only concerned myself with their concerns for the blink of an eye. In January, I'm "retiring" 15 years early to spend more time with elderly parents and to be an even more conscientiously frugal homemaker. There ARE benefits to being cured of the "stuff-itis" and "I-MUST-have-its."

Welcome, too, from another Texan.