The envy of people

black_cat

I've just read this thread from the beginning and it's been inspiring. People's stories don't make me jealous - they make me want to do better. Being frugal / OS is about using your money thoughtfully for your priorities.


OH and I both have very stressful jobs. He went through some serious health problems a couple of years ago and so for three years running we've holidayed abroad - good deals found, paid for in cash and still overpaid the mortgage. Work is better at the moment and we've already decided to put the holidays on hold and now focus on home improvements and moving.


Thanks again for the challenge and encouragement on this thread 😊

theoretica

I thnk many people don't see or think about what is under the surface - so John may be jealous of Jane's holidays at exactly the same time as Jane is envying John's shiny car and both of them wishing they had a paid off mortgage like Janet. Now of the three, Janet is quite likely the person who has put the most thought into finances and knows she could have had holidays or cars but chose not to. I wonder if not joining in with the chorus of ooh you're so lucky about the holidays and cars sometimes adds to the perception of having everything?

Goldiegirl

I don't usually post on the OS board any more, but this thread has caught my eye.


We are debt and mortgage free , I've been working part time since age 50, and I'm retiring completely at the age of 54 in December.


But we've had our share of holidays aboard and cruises, currently have two cars, Sky TV, and we've lived in a four bedroom detached house for 25 years.


We've both earned a reasonable (not high) salary - we've worked hard for what we've achieved and with luck and judgement, find ourselves comfortable at this stage in our lives.


Our friends seem supportive, maybe privately they might say otherwise.


But I'm not that bothered, we are happy in our lives and that is the most important thing.


To the OP, I'd say enjoy what you have achieved, try not to listen to people who would do you down, and if you do find that you can't help listening, maybe don't see them as often

Goldiegirl

zaxdog wrote: »

I agree with lots of this but some I find downright sanctimonious :mad:

My OH and I work very hard and manage our money very well in my opinion BUT we like drink once a week and (shock horror) have Sky TV :eek:

It does sometimes feel like unless a forum member is huddled round a candle wringing out a teabag for it's millionth cup of tea they are less worthy than those who do :rotfl:

This is one of the main reasons I don't post on the OS board anymore.


I began to feel quite out of step, because I'd put my heating on in winter rather than spend the day freezing. I'm not afraid to put on a jumper first, but I'm not going to freeze in my own house.


I ventured back a few weeks ago, to ask if anybody had any recommendations for any good low sodium recipe websites.


I need to follow a low sodium diet, due to a chronic illness that I've just been diagnosed with.


But many of the comments I got were along the lines of 'learn how to cook', 'stop cooking in salted water', 'you've got to completely change your life', 'throw away the salt shaker'


I only wanted a few suggestions for recipe websites!


The reality is that my previous intake of salt per day was less than the national average anyway, which is probably why my health condition is, fortunately, mild.


But I felt people were jumping to conclusions that I'd brought on my health condition by eating junk and processed foods all the time.


I couldn't be bothered with all that, so I stopped posting again.


Sorry to go off topic, but the OS area can sometimes be a bit tough going

[Deleted User]

I'm so sorry you feel that way GOLDIEGIRL I've always found some of these threads so friendly and helpful that I feel I've made some very firm friendships with some sound and lovely people. It's sad that there are some who seem only to come and post to put other people down and pour scorn on questions and ideas but I hope most of us will welcome new friends and support existing ones through thick and thin and help if we can with anything that needs sorting out. I don't know if you've ever come on to the Doorstep thread but if not we'd love to have you with us, it would be so nice to have you join in the day to day nattering that goes on and general support in trying times is freely given along with warmth, humour and kindness. Give us a try? you never know you might like it so well you'll stay, Lyn xxx.

Goldiegirl

Hi, Lyn, I've often read your posts, and have enjoyed them:)


I'll have a peek in the Doorstep thread and when I get to know more about the residents, I might even post a bit myself.


I always like to hang around for a while before posting anything.


Thank you for extending the hand of friendship:)

[Deleted User]

That would be lovely GOLDIE I'll look forward to nattering with you over there, welcome in advance as it's really is lovely to have new friends join us, hope you like the company I know we'll like yours, Lyn xxx.

thriftwizard

I found myself thinking of this thread in another situation altogether today; basically someone was saying to me, "It's all right for you, you can already do this!" whilst I was trying to teach someone else how to do the thing in question. And I could see, straight away, that it was actually a veiled question; although she is highly skilled in other areas, she wanted to be able to do this too, and was actually too shy/embarrassed to ask, in front of other people, who probably think that all of us can do it. So I started up a general conversation with her when my "pupil" had moved on, and she picked up a piece of wood, and we were away...

I'm sure it's not always the case, but perhaps some of the "All right for you!" commentators are actually looking for some way to get started & sort their own budgets & affairs out? But don't know how to go about it & think that everyone else does, so they can't ask?

Just a thought!

Caterina

Post deleted, please see first post. Thank you.

[Deleted User]

You could come and play too CATTIE we'd love it having you for a playmate xxx.