My parents taught me never to order a beverage other than tap water because prices were astronomically high compared to cost.  Til this day, I still have trouble ordering anything other than a glass of water with a lemon slice if I’m going out to eat.  I start rationalizing how water has zero calories, is plentiful, and good for me.  Meanwhile, I’m craving the $6 fresh young coconut juice to go with my chicken satay at my favorite Malaysian restaurant.

One of the best tricks I’ve devised to overcome spending guilt is to actually purchase what’s desired, marvel at it through the duration of the return policy, and return it!  If there was a 30 day return policy on cars, I would literally be the most hated customer in the area because I would have no shame buying a new one every other month and handing back the keys.  I’m addicted to cars and their new car smell, even though I’ve stayed “sober” with Moose for over 5 years now.

OLD HABITS ARE HARD TO BREAK

Look down upon me all you want, but I’m telling you I have a frugality problem which needs course correcting.  Over Thanksgiving weekend, I decided to create a challenge to only buy things with only the money I earned online during that 4-day weekend.  Who the hell works online during those four days?  It caused me to think more deeply and go seek business.  I concluded that practically everybody outside of America works on that Thursday and Friday, and so I pinged my Australian and English clients.

I managed to secure $1,100 in online income that weekend and felt relieved I could go spend some money on some socks and business shoes.  I mustered up the courage the first week in December to hunt for my favorite Tod’s loafers at Barney’s.  They usually run $485 a pair after tax and are never on sale.  Miraculously, I found one good enough for my liking for “only” $315 after tax.  I bought them immediately and brought them home to admire.

I’m keenly aware that $315 is still a ton of money to spend on shoes.  However, relative to the income generated during the same period, it’s not much.  If I hadn’t made any peripheral money in addition to my day job income, I would definitely not go ahead with the purchase.

DEBILITATION STRIKES

It’s been over 10 days now and I still haven’t worn them outside!  Spending guilt has taken hold again, given these shoes are more than double what I spend normally.  I cannot fight the urge to return the shoes and go find some other sale for a third the price.  The kicker is that since Thanksgiving weekend, I’ve done much more online and still can’t manage to step outside and scuff the new soles!

By highlighting my monthly personal credit card expenses, I fear it’ll make me want to spend even less.  I even write posts expounding there’s no point making money if you don’t spend your money to will myself and others to stop being so frugal.  For the life of me, I can’t break free from my spending habits.

I’m curious to whether any of you also have spending guilt and frugality disease when you can afford the items?  What are some of the things you do to make you spend a little and not feel guilty?  Why are we so conditioned to act the way we do?

Photo: Tod’s Shoes. Are these shoes worth $315 after tax? I’ll wear them 5 days a week.  Sam

Regards,

Sam

The majority of us are middle class, defined as neither rich nor poor. Seriously, that’s the official definition of middle class, because depending on who you talk to and where they live, you’ll get different answers.  A $50,000 household income for a family of four is absolutely middle class in Des Moines, Iowa but is closer to poverty in New York City.

Statisticians say middle class is a household income between $25,000 and $100,000 a year.  Anything above $100,000 is deemed “upper middle class”.  It’s funny how there’s no usage of the categories “lower class” and “upper class” isn’t it?  It’s as if someone didn’t want to hurt someone else’s feelings.  In cities such as San Francisco and New York, middle class income might very well extend all the way up to $250,000 given the median house price in San Francisco is $700,000 and it regularly costs $1,000+/sqft in New York City to buy.

Whether you make $30,000 a year or $250,000 a year, I venture to guess the majority will consider ourselves middle class.  There’s an important psychology involved, and that is when it comes to financials, nobody wants to stray too far from the core.  If you consider yourself rich, you will be hunted down.  And if you start considering yourself poor, others will ridicule you for being dumb or lazy.  Classifying yourself as middle class keeps you safe and warm!

WE ALL CAME FROM SOMEWHERE

As a kid, there were only two things I ever wanted: 1) a Nintendo console and 2) a camera.  I never got either because my parents wouldn’t allow me to waste my time on video games, and a camera was a grown up toy.  It’s a shame, because it would have been great to capture my childhood and reminisce.  Ah, the inability of the middle class to have everything they want unless they work for it!

My family was by no means poor, they just weren’t rich.  In fact, we had everything we needed – food, clothing, love, and shelter.  We lead very simple lives, buying second hand clothes, living in a suburbian townhouse, and driving beater cars.  I still remember the paint-less, 15 year-old Nissan Datsan my father drove.  I’d duck in horror whenever he’d drop me off at school.  I even snuck the metal beast out in a torrential downpour and two hubcaps flew off while I was doing burnouts. My parent didn’t even know, the car was that pitiful!

Most wealthy people didn’t grow up with a Butler named Belvedere.  Instead, they grew up middle class just like many of us.  I’m always so disappointed when President Obama pits the rich against the poor since the chances are very high that we’ve all been in the same middle class once before.

The top 1% might even have more perspective than the majority of us.  They know what it’s like to not have much, and now know what it’s like to afford almost anything.  We should draw on their experiences.  After all, “the rich” are also the ones who donate the most to charity, provide jobs, and provide investment capital for our start-up ideas.

MIDDLE CLASS IS A WONDERFUL CLASS

Growing up middle class lets me appreciate all the things I have today.  I can’t imagine growing up rich because I would probably always feel inadequate compared to my parents.  Imagine living in a 8,000 square foot mansion your entire life, only to be able to afford a 800 square foot fixer several years after college?  Imagine rolling around in a S500 Benzo with a driver, but only afford a Toyota Yaris upon graduation.  Imagine eating toro sashimi and prime rib every weekend with the folks, and all you can afford now is the occasional Panda Express.  Yuck.

The middle class is what makes America hum.  We’re either a part of the middle class now, or have been there once before.  In other words, we’re all about the same, so let’s treat each other the same.  No more bickering between different socio-economic classes.  We all have the same rights and freedoms to do whatever we want, forever.

Readers, anybody else proud to be a part of the middle class?  Any of you grow up poor or middle class and are now in one of the higher tax brackets? 

What constitutes the middle class in your opinion?

Best,

Sam

Imagine you’re a financially successful 35 year old professional making $250,000 a year.  You’re still $130,000 short from being in the top 1%, but by any other metric, you’re doing just dandy.  Yet, instead of living a comfortable life, you live like a pauper, renting the same dumpy one bedroom since you were 25.  For wheels, you drive a 2002 Toyota Corolla and for vacation, you always stay domestic, never wanting to see the world.  Everything you do, or don’t do rather, is because you want to save money.

Some of you may think this is a great way to live, as certainly you’ll be saving a boat load of cash for retirement.  I say there’s absolutely no point making that kind of money if you are going to live so frugally.  Six figure jobs are a dime a dozen, but generally come with higher stress.  As such, you might as well just make a fraction and lead a carefree life if you never plan to spend your earnings.

Watching the zeros grow in your bank account is a very empty feeling after a certain point.  It might boost your self-esteem to tell your friends how much you have, but that’s just shallow.  Cash is only a medium of exchange, and a means to provide a better life.  If you aren’t utilizing your cash, then you are wasting your time.

HOARDING LIKE A TORNADO IS COMING

There’s a fine line between being smart with your finances and being overly frugal.  Let’s say you’ve always wanted to buy that second-hand $30,000 Porsche in your 30s and your gross income is 10X that amount.  Instead of buying what you want, you get a $8,000 Toyota Corolla to save money in your 30s.  Well after 10 years, guess what?  You’re in your 40s and the novelty has worn off.  You’re just another 40-something year old knuckle-head going through a midlife crisis.

Comfortable shelter is the same thing.  The rental stock is generally inferior to the ownership stock.  Due to rent control, many landlords haven’t updated their apartments in years.  Sure, you may be saving money renting your same 1 bedroom in your 30s as in your 20s, but you’re also crimping your lifestyle if you can afford to buy or rent a two bedroom or three bedroom apartment or home.  You’re going to be middle aged and feel proud of yourself for saving X amount of dollars.  Meanwhile, someone who spent what they could afford has been living a much better lifestyle for the same time period.

Great vacations are priceless because of the everlasting memories they provide.  Instead of flying off to Greece, you decide to experience your 3rd staycation in a row to save money.  Meanwhile, you’re getting older and you’re no longer as nimble as you once were to hike those great mountains.  It’s harder for you to sit comfortably on an airplane for longer than 3 hours because of deep vein thrombosis and numbness in your legs.  Now, what’s better?  Living a better lifestyle that you can fully afford, or saving an extra buck or two?

LIFE IS FINITE

Most of us who are educated and who work hard are going to die with TOO MUCH money in our bank accounts.  I know retirees who have great pensions with no mortgage and very little expenses still try and save as much money as they can.  Well guess what?  That’s kind of counterproductive, because saving money while you are retired is like saving money to spend in death.

I’m likely saving too much money by putting away 70% of my after tax income.  It’s been instilled in me ever since I got my first crappy job at McDonald’s to save the majority of money and not spend.  It’s very hard for me to spend more, largely because I feel I have everything I need.  It would be nice to have an ocean view vacation home in the South of France, but that seems like just too much hassle.  The only thing I’m thinking of purchasing is a 2nd hand car to replace 12 year old Moose in 2012.  I need to live it up more.

After maxing out your 401K and IRA and then saving 20% of your disposable income after retirement contribution, I say we should spend guilt-free the remainder on whatever we darn please.  If we try our best and fail at spending all our disposable income on living life, then saving the rest isn’t so bad.

Readers, do you or do you know people who make good money, yet live so below your/their means that there’s no point really making so much money?  Can saving too much be a problem?

If you enjoyed this article, please sign up for my RSS Feed or E-mail Feed to keep in touch.

Regards,

Sam

I’ve been neglecting Moose for a couple weeks since I’ve been traveling so much.  But, I took him out for a spin the other day and was absolutely shocked to see that gas prices have ROCKETED to $4.11, $4.29, and $4.39 for regular, plus, and supreme at my neighborhood Chevron station!  I know WTI oil prices have risen to $112, but it really didn’t hit me until I saw and paid for the latest gasoline prices.

As a city dweller, I take the bus to and from work, and try and ride the bus as much as possible on the weekends.  The only times I really drive is to and from the tennis club, and up to Tahoe which is about 180 miles away.  Overall, I drive about 6,500 miles a year which is not that much compared to the national average of 15,500 miles a year.  With Moose getting roughly 17 mpg, I spend around $2,145 a year in gasoline, up from just $1,750 this time last year.

IF I’M SHOCKED, WHY AREN’T YOU SHOCKED TOO?

When gas prices were only $3.50/gallon, my yearly gas bill would be roughly $1,750 for 6,500 miles.  $395 more in gas costs isn’t exactly going to break the budget for me, or for most people ($33 more a month), yet I’m pretty shocked nonetheless.  I’m so shocked that I’ve decided to asset allocate out of equities and back into cash and selective bonds in my 401K because I’m worried high energy prices, along with problematic state government deficits will ignite another sell-off.  I’m happy to lock in 6.8% performance YTD in my mothership fund and play it safe.

In addition, I’m looking to cut an additional $100-$200/month out of my expenses to counteract $4+ gas prices, which only costs $33 more a month.  Skip a lunch here, cut down on gym usage there, drink more water are all things I plan on doing.  In other words, thanks to oil, I’m looking to slash spending by 3-6X more!

In my world, everything is rational.  The reason why gasoline prices are as high as they are is because people are willing to pay for it.  If people weren’t willing to pay for it, prices would be lower.  I, therefore must be an anomaly to believe that $4.11-$4.39/gallon is a painful level.  I’m consciously reducing my gas consumption, even it it only costs me $395-500 a year because I’m mentally revolting at paying so much.

But now, as I think rationally still…. if someone like me, who drives half as much as the average American and has a steady flow of income is clamping down consumption, then it’s logical to assume that other people will also start tightening as well.  It’s not like I can’t afford an extra $33/month, it just annoys me that prices have gone up so quickly.  I’m mentally going on strike and just going to take the bus everywhere now, even if it does take longer.  I figure, why not use this time to reduce my global footprint, reduce traffic, and save some money in the process?

MAYBE THERE’S ANOTHER REASON

There’s one important variable that we should recognize.  The job market has come back in force as predicted!  People are getting raises and getting jobs again.  Why else would traffic be as horrendous as it has been in SF in a long while?  There are plenty of positive anecdotes that suggest things are drastically improving in addition to the government labor statistics.  Fellow blogger’s online incomes have skyrocketed in March, flight loads are soaring, the markets are at 3 year highs, and head hunters are calling out the wazoo.

Despite it all, I’m still cutting down on energy consumption and re-balancing my portfolio.  I’m happy to see the economy and the markets continue to improve, even if I’m not fully invested anymore.  Call me conservative, or too easily satisfied.  The older I get, the less I really need.

Readers, do you feel the pain at the pump?  If not, how come?  If so, are you cutting down your consumption?  How many miles a year do you drive on average?

If you enjoyed this article, please sign up for my RSS Feed or E-mail Feed to keep in touch.

Regards,

Sam

Over the last several days I’ve spent a lot of money.  First, I splurged on a 50 minute massage for $67 dollars that came from $260 in poker winnings the other night.  Does the $67 dollars count as “real money” since I didn’t have the money before the game?  Yes, because I could have easily lost $260 as well.  Saving any winnings from poker is a very empty feeling.  Instead, I like to spend it on something rewarding since the excitement of taking down a hand lasts about a nanosecond.

Second, I went on a double date with a client and his wife at this new French American restaurant and picked up the $230 bill.  The place definitely wasn’t cheap, what with the oysters, wine, cheese plates, bouillabaisse, and 24 layer crepes.  However, it was a good time and great for relationship building.  As he is officially a client, there was no hesitation to pay unlike my outing with the real estate agent the other week.

Finally, after two months of waiting and mingling, I’m now officially a member of this cozy old school tennis club.  I handed over my credit card to the member rep and watched her swipe it for a cool $10,000.  Curiously, I didn’t blink an eye because I was so excited to finally be apart of the family.  The process overall has taken 2 months!  There’s something about going to a place where everybody knows your name.  The club feels like one big family.

EXPERIENCES ALWAYS WIN

In total, I spent $10,297 in the past three days with no regrets.  It’s quite strange, because I realize $10,297 is a lot of money.  I really do.  Yet, there is not one ounce of “buyer’s remorse”, because I haven’t really bought any “thing.”  Instead, I spent money on experiences, which are well worth it.   I’m super excited about meeting all the members of the club especially.  I’ve already met around 55 members through weekly Saturday morning doubles sessions and there are several hundred more to go.

Maybe I’ll find a new best buddy.  Maybe I’ll discover a long lost friend.  Or maybe I’ll play a plenty and get in the best shape of my life.  Aren’t those things priceless? To me they are.  Perfect Saturdays now include playing a couple hours of tennis starting at 9am, stretching and hitting the sauna after, and then getting brunch at the dining area upstairs.  At Princeton, you have what are known as “eating clubs” where people socialize.  This place feels the same way where members just hang out after a match and catch up on life.

Time and time again, I realize that spending money on experiences far surpasses spending money on things.  I could have used the $10,297 to buy 1/5th of a new $50,000 Audi Q5 3.0 liter SUV, but rather, I’ll just keep ~$5,000 Moose for another year and hope nothing breaks.  The left over money after you’ve established your retirement framework is meant to be spent.  I say go have fun and live a little!

HIGHLIGHT POSTS FROM AROUND THE WEB

The Financial Blogger highlights “Six Super Heroes I Admire“.  A fun posts where Financial Samurai is compared to a bald guy who can’t walk.  At least the character is intelligent, so I’ll take it as a complement!

Sean Ogle writes a very thourough post called, “Become An SEO Freelancer“.   Very useful post for those who have blogs and want to improve their search engine traffic.  The post also goes to show the advancement of the internet where you can make money doing a lot of new and interesting stuff.

Everyday Tips & Thoughts reveals a shocking secret.  Her kids are in private school!  It’s kind of like President Obama promoting the greatness of public schools, yet sending his two daughters to private school.  No it’s not.  I just thought I’d get that off my chest because I’ve thought about that before.  Kris highlights why she shouldn’t have to feel ashamed for sending her kids to private school.  I agree.

Buy Like Buffett has a neat giveaway with some fellow Yakezie bloggers.  The grand prize is an iPad.  Anybody who hooks me up with an iPad will probably get multiple iPads in terms of benefits in return!  That’s why strategically, you want to have a mix of a random selection and your own selection when you giveaway things.

Elle from Couple Money has an excellent guest post called, “Flying With A Baby: 16 Tips To Keep Your Sanity“.  Part of the reason why I dislike flying is crying babies.  Got to admit I like sleeping on my flights.  Elle also writes a helpful post on “Blogging Tax Tips” which I, and many of my peers will need soon.

Don writes about his “10 Ways To Improve One’s Chance Of Getting Rich“.  There are just so many things one can do, it’s kinda nuts not to do more than just work at your day job.

My favorite podcast on Consumerism Commentary interviews Carmen Wong Ulrich (Money Magazine) about her book, “The Real Cost Of Living”.  Sorry to see you go Tom!  It was a great run and I really enjoyed your interviews.

Sunil asks whether you are an “Unhappy Corporate Employee?” I really wonder if the epidemic of corporate employee happiness is because we hear so many success stories of entrepreneurs hitting it big.  What do you think?  I think so.

Best,

Sam

I have to admit, I’m having withdrawals from not driving a different car for over 3 years now.  I used to get a new (used) car every year by wheeling and dealing on Craigslist, but I stopped once I found Moose.  Moose is so handsome and adventurous, even the ladies love him.  I picked up a friend of mine one evening to go grab some grub, and she mentioned a week later that her stalking neighbor, who has a crush on her said he’s frustrated that guys who own “Moose-like” cars always gets the girl.  Maybe buddy, it’s the creepy way you stare out the corner of your window to spy on women that makes you still single?!

A year ago, Moose’s passenger side electronics seat stopped working to my dismay.  Luckily, the seat was in a comfortable, semi-reclined position so I let it be.  I told myself then that it might be time to start looking for another car soon as fixing the thing might cost $500+ dollars.  And so, I made a decision that as soon as the driver’s seat electronics also stopped working, I’d go and buy me another car.

Each week that went by, I started secretly hoping my seat would stop working.  I was hoping for something bad, but not too bad to happen, so I could justify buying something new!  Screw it, I thought.  I’m going to go visit the dealer and check out the new rides anyway.  Moose ain’t ever gonna fail me!

THE BENEVOLENT DEALER

As I was inhaling the wonderful rich smell of leather and glue, a service man came up to me and asked if I wanted to consider trading-in Moose for something new.  I started feeling horrible since Moose and I had grown so attached.  But, I did tell the serviceman I’d consider it.  I revealed the only problem with Moose was the non working passenger side seat, and he said not to worry.  He came back 5 minutes later, opened up a compartment under the seat, and swapped out a fuse.

“Your car is as good as new!” the service man shouts.

“Sweet crap,” I think to myself as now I have no reason to exchange Moose for anything else.  I also wondered why I didn’t go into the service department to buy a $1 fuse long ago.  I told the serviceman that given my car was “as good as new“, I’m good to go and am not interested in spending $58,000 for a new Moose.  Now I realize why car dealerships keep Service & Sales separate!

CONCLUSION

If Moose is a babe magnet, handsome, reliable, and inexpensive, why do I long for something new?  Change is human nature and unavoidable so it seems.  It’s just like asking why Tiger Woods can’t just be happy with Elin, his family, and his mega millions?  The longing for something different is so hard to conquer.  It’s almost like an addiction.

Changing cars frequently is one of the stupidest things you can do if you don’t have the financial capacity.  You pay taxes with each purchase, often lose money with each sale, your auto insurance may go up, and you never quite know what you are going to get.  Cars are money pits, which is why I seriously recommend you never spend more than 1/10th your annual gross income on the purchase of a car.  If you find a car that gives you little-to-no problems, cherish it completely and forever.

Readers, have you ever hopped something of yours would break so you can go out and get something new?  Is it cheating if you think it, but not do it??

What are some of your tips to curb your material desires?

If you have more than enough money to fund your material desires, is it bad to splurge?  Is it bad to deny yourselves pleasures?

Regards,

Sam @ Financial Samurai – “Slicing Through Money’s Mysteries”

I did some spring cleaning the other day and found two credit cards in my drawer which I totally forgot I had!  One was a Home Depot credit card I got three years ago at the check out counter because I could save 15% off my $3,000 purchase immediately.  The other card was a Banana Republic card that I applied for also three years ago to save 10% off my $1,300 purchase of a couple new suits, shirts, and shoes.  Both cards have zero balances, and neither have been used since the initial purchases!

My first reaction was to close both cards since I didn’t want someone risking get a hold of them and going crazy buying Brazilian rosewood floors at Home Depot or alligator shoes at Banana Republic or something.  In essence, I wanted peace of mind and so, I closed both cards.  To my surprise, I didn’t get a hard sell to leave them open.  I pressed several buttons on my cell phone and both cards are now shutdown.  Ahhh, so nice to not have to worry and have less potential holes to leak wealth.

SHOULD I HAVE CLOSED THEM THOUGH?

It was only after I closed both cards did I begin to wonder what effect it would have on my credit score and other negative repercussions.  You may have some of these same thoughts too so here are some some tips before you close them:

1) If the card is your only credit card, you probably don’t want to cancel it. To build a good credit score, you need to prove you can handle credit!  Hence, even if you never use your credit card and hate credit, you should have one credit card open and never close it.

2) If the card has a long credit history, think twice before closing it. Your credit score is also based on your credit history i.e. a 20 year history of paying off your account is worth more than a 2 year history.  If the card is your oldest card, keep it.

3) If the card has a large credit line compared to your overall credit, think thrice about closing it.  If your overall access to credit is $15,000 between 3 cards, and one card has $10,000 of credit, you should probably think about closing the other two cards before your main credit line card.

4) If your card’s rate is lower than the rest, keep it. The two credit cards I closed probably had a rate of 20%+ because they are merchant credit cards.  Nobody should be stupid enough to use those cards and NOT pay them off in the first billing cycle.

5) If your card is tied to multiple payment accounts, you may want to reconsider. Imagine if a card is tied to your Amazon account, fitness club account, car insurance account, and home alarm bill.  What a pain in the butt to close and re-fill out all the forms.

IMPORTANT: If you have addictive tendencies such as gambling, smoking, over eating, cheating and so forth, you probably don’t want to have more than one credit card, or even one credit card, period.  It’s important to know thyself and figure out whether you can handle paying for things on credit and paying off the balance every month.  Work on kicking your addictive habits first, before using a credit card.

OPENING UP STORE CREDIT CARDS TO SAVE MONEY

If I spend more than $1,500 and there is a 10% savings at checkout I probably will spend 5 minutes to fill out a form for a store credit card.  Call me a sucker for saving money, but that’s what I like to do on things I plan on purchasing anyway.  I don’t go shopping much at all, but when I do, I’m willing to do a lot to reduce my bill.  Furthermore, I always pay off the bill in the first billing cycle, or before the 0% interest rate ends.  To do otherwise is just illogical.

I have worried about how opening up new lines of credit affects my credit score, but I’ve stopped worrying.  First of all, the credit lines are so small compared to my overall credit that it doesn’t make a difference.  I always pay off the bill in full, so it doesn’t negatively affect my score.  And finally, there’s no point in overly worrying about your credit score if you consistently pay your bills on time.

What’s in my wallet: two credit cards (personal and corporate), ID, health insurance card, ATM card, car insurance card.  $40 bucks.

Readers, have you ever found a credit card that’s open you forgot you had?  How many credit cards do you have?  Do people who ban credit completely have addictive tendencies?  How’s your credit score?

Regards,

Sam

My name is Florentine and I am what the world describes as a “minimalist.”  I can pack all my belongings into two suitcases and go travel the world if I want.  I aim to make $30,000 a year from various online projects and consulting gigs, which makes me feel slightly guilty since there’s a hint of hypocrisy.  With an efficiency studio and a bicycle, I don’t need much money to lead a happy life.  I want to tell you a secret, which is a secret that many minimalists have, but don’t want anybody to know.

The reason why I deem myself a minimalist is because I have difficulty achieving more.  For three years after college, I tried my hardest to work myself up an advertisement company.  I was passed up for promotion, and then the recession came.  Instead of telling people I lost my job, I told people “I quit” so I could lead the life of freedom I’ve always wanted.  “Screw the world and conformity!”, I told everyone.  I was too ashamed to tell my parents and friends that after 4 years in college, all I could do was stay a gopher, photocopying papers and answering phones all day.  I didn’t even succeed at that.

Getting up and going to work is hard, I realize this.  Earning just $30,000 a year in a job that you don’t particularly like is particularly dissatisfying.  But, I know that doing the dirty work for years is just the process in order for me to get to where I want to be.  I want to create those beautiful images, and put together those unique sounds and call them my own creations for all to experience.  Yet, thanks to the recession, my opportunity was curtailed and I can’t get back in.  Let me back in!  Please?  It’s been almost a year now.

I renounce material goods, nice homes, and great careers because I can’t have any of those things.  Don’t even talk to me about retirement savings or starting a family.  I’ll get to those things when I can.  I tell people that they are leading lies and are on illusory treadmills.  It makes me feel better.  I know I shouldn’t try and make others feel worse.  Minimalism is a way of being.  I tell people I can live anywhere in the world, yet here I reside in a crappy city nicknamed HOE, or Hell On Earth.  It’s freaking freezing right now.

The easiest way to tell whether a lifestyler is successful is finding out where we live.  If we are really living the dream, we’d reside in Rio de Janeiro, Malibu, Paris, Rome, Hawaii, Bora Bora, and other fantastic places for goodness sake!  We wouldn’t live in HOE now, would we?  But, we do.  Damn you HOE.  Your streets are so dirty.

I embrace minimalism now, because I’ve come to accept the difficulty of becoming great.  I’m great to the outside world, because I say so damnit.  In reality, I want more, but society just doesn’t let me get there.  There is no coincidence that our movement has taken off during one of the greatest economic downturns of our times (so my parents tell me).  Although our employers let us go, at least they gave us the dignity to say we left on our own volition.

Let’s face it.  Nobody leaves a job they love.  If they did, they are either batshit crazy or lying to themselves.  I’m thrust into my minimalist position not out of choice.  But, everyday I embrace my situation and even convert some to do the same.  At least I’m not siting around feeling sorry for myself.  I’m actually practicing what I preach.  Just be careful OK?  Not everything is what it seems, especially if you have a choice.

Dream on,

Flo

Thanks for this terrific insight on minimalism Florentine!  I’ve also noticed a big minimalist/lifestyle movement ever since the recession started in 2008.  It makes sense to turn one’s back on society if society turns their back on you.  As the economy recovers, perhaps the movement will fade with more opportunities.  Perhaps not.  Either way, consuming less, saving and investing more is probably necessary in our economy!  What do readers think about minimalism?  On another note, the Yakezie Scholarship essays are now live! Regards, Sam