Over the history of the Boyz Boyz, no one was more vocal than I in giving Sam a hard time about his not spending money.
However, now that I am older and (somewhat) more responsible with my money, I realize that Sam had his head on straight from a very early age. As far as I know, he simply didn't buy frivolous things. The only major money that left his hands was for skim milk (8 litres a week?!) and for vehicular reasons; first with a truck that I believe he went half on with his brother and then his current car. I'm sure Neil will correct me on any particulars here.
When we went out cruising, often without Sam, we'd joke and go on about his unwillingness to part with money. I don't think that we really understood why he wouldn't want to go out and spend time (and usually money) with his friends. The comment I believe I made about this was in reply to Sam saying "there's more ways to have fun than by spending money". My response: "Yeah, that's called masturbation." I realize now that he was right.
I still don't know what the origin of Sam's frugality is. Whether it comes from his parents instilling the value of a dollar in him early on or through his own realization that yes indeed, I don't have to spend money to have fun. It might have come through an early determination about what his values and goals are and that money only played a role in fulfilling those. Or it really might be an attitude of "it's my money you can't have it." I'm not sure, but I am going to find out.
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About Me
Already Read
- A Random Walk Down Wall Street (n/a) as I did not finish it. 7.5/10 for what I did read though
- Smart Couples Finish Rich (8/10) better than Automatic Millionaire as it has more "to do" items
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Personal Finance for Canadians (5/10) Didn't finish it as it was basic and written in a crappy tone
- What Every Canadian Should Know about Family Finance (6/10) shallow overview of many topics; no meat
- Your Money or Your Life (9/10) great way to think about money. Dry last chapter
- The Automatic Millionaire (7/10 good advice, fluffy book)
- The Wealthy Barber (8/10 would be nice to have a more modern edition)
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad (8/10 originally, 4/10 retrospect)
4 comments:
I've known Sam since a very early age, and even I am not entirely sure as to the source of Sam's frugality. My current theory is that he saves his money up so that when something comes along that really catches his eye, he can buy it right then and there. A classic example would be when he bought his stereo, I think. Plus, his cautious nature probably added to his financial tendencies as well.
/looney toons car mats
You pretty much got it John. The only other thing I can think of is the computer in the 2002 New Year. Even though he didn't spend it, Sam usually walks around with WAY too much money sitting in his wallet. Some day I'll dress up like a burglar and rob him dry.
/go get Steve
Always the contrarian, I still don't see the point of being overly frugal with money.
- It adds stress/worry to all aspects of your life because you can't help but wonder if you can get a better deal somewhere else. Then if you see a better deal it bothers you that "you've been had".
- It limits your sense of spontaneity. Every purchase has to be carefully planned against your values, needs and wants, and also need to find where the best deal is. You'll never experience the here and now, just because.
- I'm of the belief that matters of money will work themselves out. So going out and having a fast-food snack won't adversely affect your financial situation, either short or long term.
I'm not advocating going out and maxing out all your credit cards on frivolities, in fact you should pay them off every month because interest payments aren't fun or spontaneous.
What I'm saying is my time is better spent doing things I like doing instead of driving 5km more to save $0.25 on peanuts.
Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts.
/such a thing has never been done before
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