How do you resist keeping up with the Jones's?

[disneysteve]

It is illogical to go out and purchase something if you have something at home that still works.

That's exactly how I feel. I have a much easier time buying something that we don't have than I do upgrading something we already own. I hardly ever buy something to upgrade an existing product. I've never replaced a working TV or working home appliance, for example. I'll wait until it dies and then replace it.

[PrincessPerky]

i think I would go crazy if I didn't have a monitor for my computer..but then I am not using it right now, I am on the laptop! So I just discovered I am not all that patient!

[glock35ipsc]

The Joneses are broke. Well, at least a lot of them are. I bet you would be suprised to find the amount of debt that some of your friends have to keep up appearances. One day the tables will be turned and the Joneses will have wished they kept up with you... and your savings accounts/retirement/etc... It's funny that one day they will be playing catch-up.

Ahh, you took the words right outta my mouth!

[ceejay74]

Y'all are my Joneses now! And trying to keep up with you can only help me build a nicer future.

[jIM_Ohio]

BTW, my biggest TV is about 21 inches. Do they still make the old fashioned kind?

Well mine is bigger than yours.
And my wife has two which are bigger than yours as well.

LOL

[MiikeB]

I find that being only 20 years old I am very prone to try to keep up. I fell into the lifestyle before, eating out everyday and spending $250 a week on food when I was making $15 an hour or so, and bought the nicest cellphones and a 42" HDTV, not to mention spending $20k on a brand new car. I literally had no savings. Luckily just seeing interest charges on my credit card twice set me straight. I had previously never carried a balance, just barely having enough, but the then once my credit card bill was too high and I had to carry a balance, it really scared me straight.

Now I still have most of the stuff, but I do not plan on replacing it anytime soon. My 42" TV will last me 5 more years. I plan on driving my car well into 2020 if it lasts me and I cook at home 85% of my meals.

I have found my life to be less stressful than before and I enjoy having a good cushion to fall back on if the need arises.

[disneysteve]

My 42" TV will last me 5 more years

Why only 5 years?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

It's all about priorities. I feel it sometimes, but like Gruntina, you cannot keep saying the Joneses are broke or else you will feel bitter.

But also who you end up with matters. I have to sometimes tell my DH that the "iphone" isn't just the phone costs but monthly costs. He's been salivating for more than one year and I just give him "the look".

Truth is everyone else can afford it great, but what DOES he REALLY need it for except to look cool???

I already think he's a hottie, so who is he trying to attract?

[Exile]

DW and I never cared much about the Jones's. We just focused on our own goals--and met them. So I think that's the trick: Just tend to your own knitting. Also, live modestly and avoid going into debt for things that you don't need. If you want luxuries, save up and pay cash for them.

By following this life style, eventually you may become the Jones's that everyone else is trying to keep up with.

[disneysteve]

I think one thing that has really helped us is that we didn't move into the Jones' neighborhood. We moved into a nice older middle class neighborhood. Our neighbors don't own fancy cars. Most don't spend a small fortune on landscaping. Only a couple of houses on the block have pools. The kids all go to public school. It is a very down-to-earth group of utility workers and sales people and teachers and firefighters and other hardworking folks. Even though I'm probably one of the higher earners on the block, we are more comfortable in this setting than living around a bunch of other doctors and lawyers and higher-paid professionals.

[MiikeB]

Why only 5 years?

I guess in my perspective 5 years is a long time, I meant it as more of "until it dies kinda thing" I guess. I plan on having it as long as it works, it is my first TV so I am not sure how long it will last.

[disneysteve]

I guess in my perspective 5 years is a long time, I meant it as more of "until it dies kinda thing" I guess.

5 years is not a long time for a TV. "Until it dies" is a much better mindset.

I think we got our family room TV when my daughter was an infant. She will be 13 next month. I know it has been more than 10 years because I distinctly remember squeezing it into the backseat of my old car and I replaced that car 10 years ago this month.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I gotta agree that living a high lifestyle will pressure you more. Living in a normal neighborhood is much easier. DH and I like our lower key lifestyle.

[LuxLiving]

A lot of this may be due to how you were raised. My mother was/is a very driven woman in that she scratched her way up from poverty and as a result became very ambitious. My Dad is one of the most industrious people I know.

I didn't know it was catching.

When I met my Hubster he was one of the most content people I'd ever met. There's a lot to be said for being content with what you've got. I think you can be too content and become complacent with your lot in life so for me I've grown into a happy medium. While there are some things/products/experiences I'd like to have in life, I find overall that I'm very satisfied with the way our lifestyle has played out. He needed me to encourage him to reach a bit higher, and I needed him to mellow me out some. We've reached a nice compromise.

The sweet spot was in finding a time to contemplate and negotiate w/a partner what is a HAVE TO have and what is just dross! Some is just 'nice to have' and other desires are momentary wishes. Defining & discerning the difference is called personal growth and can be good for the soul AND the bottom line!

[mrpaseo]

There are two types of people, those that are rich, and those that are wealthy. The rich wear their money on their sleeve for all to see, usually they have nice stuff, but behind the scenes they are deep in debt and financially unstable.

Then there is the wealthy, the wealthy live below their means and have security with investments. The wealthy usually are financially stable.

The Jones are usually the rich people, doing everything they can to outdo the neighbors.

Knowing this, I steer clear if the competition and save my money.

Ray