Life of the Frugal and Not so Famous!

**dianne9106** · 01-12-2008, 07:29 PM

Today we went to a very posh part of Nashville for a werstling tournament. While driving to the high school we started passing larger homes, nice sidewalks, discreet shopping areas. Then we came to new mansions!! I mean huge mansions that looked like hotels! I believe someone said that Steve McNair's home was there in Brentwood. We did a little sight seeing (as tourist do) and we drove around and looked at these colossal homes, some that were still being built.
Now, I have lived all over the world and lived in many different kinds of homes, but I just cannot see living in $1 million dollar homes with marble driveways and indoor pools! Maybe I have been frugal to long?? I just can't see making that kind of money (or living in that much debt) that I would have six cars for my six car garage or furniture for every one of my 7 bedrooms. I reckon I like driving my used auto, living in my modest home with above ground utilities and a fenced in back garden. I enjoy living in a home where I can hear someone holler for me and I clean on my own in a day.
I am sure some of these folks don't have every room furnished and may live on credit cards, but for the most part I thought it was just extravagant living that was over the top in many cases. I am probably still a little country and perhaps a lot frugal. I wonder if any these folks clip coupons??

Dianne

**Holly** · 01-12-2008, 07:37 PM

Maybe their maids do. lol

**Jskell911** · 01-12-2008, 07:49 PM

Some, I am sure got where they are by being frugal. Others just lucky or like that commercial "in debt upto their eyeballs!".

I cannot imagine myself ever living like that. Not even due to potential for income, but just I truly love a cozier home. DH and I think his mom is crazy because she lives alone in a townhouse w/ more square footage than we do! LOL We have an 11 yr ols and a 10 yr old big dog and we are all comfy.

**freyadog** · 01-12-2008, 07:58 PM

My harp teacher I had in Vegas lives in a 4 story, 2 below the ground and 2 above. Every room has its own air conditioning and heating system. Indoor squash court etc.

Her kitchen and dining area are larger than my entire house.

Go figure.

**dianne9106** · 01-12-2008, 08:32 PM

Maybe I have been frugal for toooo long, but I couldn't even imagine spending that kind of money even if it was just handed to me. I am sure most folks would frown upon me having a clothes line in the back yard! I am probably the only one on my street that does not own a tumble dryer - I prefer to hang my clothes in our bonus room or outside when it's hot.

**larabelle** · 01-12-2008, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by dianne9106

Now, I have lived all over the world and lived in many different kinds of homes, but I just cannot see living in $1 million dollar homes with marble driveways and indoor pools! Maybe I have been frugal to long?? I just can't see making that kind of money (or living in that much debt) that I would have six cars for my six car garage or furniture for every one of my 7 bedrooms. I reckon I like driving my used auto, living in my modest home with above ground utilities and a fenced in back garden. I enjoy living in a home where I can hear someone holler for me and I clean on my own in a day.
Dianne

I completely agree. I have also lived all over the world (Spain, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, England, France) in many different homes and I also could not live in one of those homes. I could live in a large home but I like my small and cozy abode.

**larabelle** · 01-12-2008, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by dianne9106

Maybe I have been frugal for toooo long, but I couldn't even imagine spending that kind of money even if it was just handed to me. I am sure most folks would frown upon me having a clothes line in the back yard! I am probably the only one on my street that does not own a tumble dryer - I prefer to hang my clothes in our bonus room or outside when it's hot.

I laughed as I read this. Because this is a typical picture of my parents. They have money but no onw would ever know it. They live in a very modest home and yes, they hang their clothes on the clothes line outside all summer.

**crdurham** · 01-12-2008, 08:37 PM

I lived in Nashville and it would always amaze me when you would drive by those home in Brentwood.... me and my sis would shop at the Goodwill there...talk about finding some great deals. I could never spend huge amounts of money on stuff I know you can get better deals on.

**dianne9106** · 01-12-2008, 08:54 PM

When I lived in England and would tell my friends there about mansions in the US - they never believed me - they thought that was only on TV and in Beverly Hills! In Italy - they had larger homes in Vicenza where we were stationed, but they were of "very old money". Unlike music stars and football players! I should have stopped at the Goodwill while I was down there - duh...

**wulong32** · 01-12-2008, 08:58 PM

haha where im from (santa barbara,ca) a million dollars really wont buy you anything too fancy, i think the median home price is around $800,000.

**bluebird728** · 01-13-2008, 12:54 AM

Favorite relatives of mine have been blessed with significant wealth. (Earned through much hard work and some luck.) My earliest memories of them is of them living in a little old house that they were constantly working on.

They enjoy their homes and posessions, but there is also a significant hassle factor that goes with it. Sometimes I get the feeling that they miss the simpler days.

When my kids and I last visited I noticed that I would sometimes lose track of people in that big house. I also became very aware that a big difference is that they have seemingly endless options to keep themselves entertained.

While not exactly frugal as most of us think of it they spend less than they earn, they take turns with major purchases, expect their cars to last 10 years, and generally are both grateful for and prudent with their money.

**faw42077** · 01-13-2008, 01:34 AM

I wonder if any these folks clip coupons??

too funny

I also don't think that even if we had alot of money that I could live in a really big home. My small home is cozy and I love it.

**frugalfarmwife** · 01-13-2008, 07:04 AM

I don't care how rich I would ever be, small house, BIG BARNS!!! Heck we're not in the house much anyway, give lots of room for the horses and livestock "_

Our old house was a big old victorian farmhouse, not mansion size, but big enough to lose hubby in, lol. NEVER AGAIN!

kj

**sixfreds** · 01-13-2008, 07:51 AM

I see those kind of mansions all the time and think are you crazy? I think a lot of it is apperance, looking like you have the best and have it all and you have the money to get you what ever you want.

Eileen

**frugalwanttobe** · 01-13-2008, 10:15 AM

This woman that I knew 5 years or so ago told me about this wealthy man who she knew. She one day asked him how he became wealthy and how he remained wealthy. The first thing he said was he did have a well paying job but he said that he knew others who had the same job and same salary and they were not as "wealthy" as him. He said that no matter what he bought he took care of it. He said by maintaining his things they lasted much longer so he did not need to replace them and spend more money on them. ie cars, major appliances, clothes, his home overall etc. etc. If I remember correctly he would always wipe down his washer after using it so that it would not rust. There were other things but I just can not remember because it has been a good 5 years since this conversation.