Does money make you any happier?

ehallett

Pay off debt, save, but live a little (or a lot)

I don't think that money makes you any happier, however the freedom to not worry about money does make you happier which only comes when you have enough money not to worry.

I always remember a quote that I read once (I think it was by Roy Keane) which said that he has never seen a coffin with pockets in it.

I am going to get debt free and then do what I want with my spare money after bills & rent. I will get Sky back, go out more, buy myself a new top if I want to etc but NOT get back into debt.

If I want something like a new TV then I will have to save for it first. However, I know that I will never be able to get a house so I am quite happy to rent for the rest of my days and will just enjoy my spare money without owing anything to anybody else.

Being debt and worry free will make me happy.

euronorris

Pay off debt, save, but live a little (or a lot)

I agree slig.

Living within your means is the key. If that means you have to save for a few months before you can 'live a little' then so be it.

I tried the other way round and it's only lead to misery!

Swinstie73

Pay off debt, save, but live a little (or a lot)

ehallett wrote: »

I am going to get debt free and then do what I want with my spare money after bills & rent. I will get Sky back, go out more, buy myself a new top if I want to etc but NOT get back into debt.

If I want something like a new TV then I will have to save for it first. However, I know that I will never be able to get a house so I am quite happy to rent for the rest of my days and will just enjoy my spare money without owing anything to anybody else.

Being debt and worry free will make me happy.

Kind of my thinking too ehallett - I do want a new tv (but old one still works) but am going to save for it, if I want to buy a new top I will (but probably from Asda or somewhere cheaper). My worry is saving for a place with OH, cos I have my place, he has his but we want something together - result bigger mortgage :eek:. He has no debts and I have, hence the not wanting to put life one hold just because I can't afford to go out and he can. The house together will happen, just not wanting to kill myself in the meantime, trying to save for it.

Gorgeous_George

Pay off debt, save, but live a little (or a lot)

I spend a good proportion of my pay on holidays - about 20% (plus 20% of wife's pay). Holidays make me happier.

I spend about 15% on my car. Having a nice car to wash and polish makes me happier. I used to enjoy repairing my old bangers but have less time these days as I like to holiday.

When I am on my death bed, I will not say 'I wish I'd had fewer holidays' (unless I die in a plane crash). I do not particularly want to be the richest corpse in the graveyard.

GG

Pee

I like to live well but as cheaply as I can.

I have been there when I had only spaghetti and toast to eat and no money, not many times but often enough to remember it and how miserable it was.

Living within your means is def the answer, although this is obviously easier the greater your means are.

Pee

P.s. I would love to die like the queen mum with debts of £2 million!

euronorris

Pay off debt, save, but live a little (or a lot)

Pee wrote: »

I like to live well but as cheaply as I can.

I have been there when I had only spaghetti and toast to eat and no money, not many times but often enough to remember it and how miserable it was.

Living within your means is def the answer, although this is obviously easier the greater your means are.

Oh what I would give for some tinned spaghetti on toast right now!

I can't find tinned spaghetti here! Unless...I pay more than double for it in a British shop, and that ain't gonna happen! lol

It's funny the things you miss!

Oh, Salt & Vinegar crisps, how I love thee. We will be together again soon! hahahaha

lynzpower

Pay off debt, save, but live a little (or a lot)

I totally agree with GG

I used to be in debt but with the help of this site and not spending money, I maanged to pay it all off. Now I save hard, but only by avoiding buying junk that I dont need. Saving is not at the expense of having a good time, even when I was in debt & paying off.

There is certainly a media spin that seems to suggest that you cant have a good time when you ae skint/ have n o money. Au contraire, Ive had fantastic fun when spening v little.

However -It makes me happy that
* I do not need to deal with banks, debt collectors etc
*I never again have to see a red letter
*I can buy food in M&S if I want to for a treat, no biggie
*I also have a lot of holidays, we have plenty of money sat aside for whatever should we fancy a little break. Makes me happy.
*Tonight I quite fancy taking OH for a chinese at theis really posh place we like, the food is divine but the cost of the meal is about 50.00 without wine. Going here makes me happy.

I am a lot happier now im out of debt, I have a lot more money and im happy with what I do with it ( save/ spend/ squander)

Pee

Oh, sorry... it's really dire when it's all you have to eat and all you've had to eat for the last 24 hours... and it was 6p a can from ASDA, about 15 years ago... Could someone in your family send you a food parcel/ come and visit with one?

Swinstie73

Pay off debt, save, but live a little (or a lot)

Hi Lynzpower,

You are EXACTLY where I want to be! Hopefully by Sept 2010 I will be you, IYKWIM!