Can a Leopard change its spots?

agent_orange_2

During my working life I have worked with some frugal people (to put it politely). You know the sort, people who will always look for the best bargains, people who will not part with a penny if they can avoid it. In fact, I once knew a guy who would cycle home on the inside of another cyclist so he didn't have to put his cylcle lights on.
Bearing in mind I've worked in an industrial environment, earning reasonable money, I have seen men accumulate large sums of money. But something I have noticed is, the ones who have amassed the biggest fortunes are the ones who never loosen the 'purse strings' , even in retirement - they go to the grave the 'richest man in the graveyard'

It's sad to see men who have worked every hour God sends but are unable to enjoy their gains.

kingmonkey

How do you know they are not happy?

Wolf_Man

Can a Leopard change its spots?

Well there was this one guy..... (I will leave the rest of the story to Charles Dickens)

nilrem_2

agent_orange wrote: »

It's sad to see men who have worked every hour God sends but are unable to enjoy their gains.

To some people happiness is obtained by accruing a large amount of money, it's probably a hobby to them much the same as someone who collects stamps of another who does water colour painting, once the frugal saver passes on I doubt it bothers them!:D

going2die_rich

Maybe the money isn't being saved up for pleasure, more for security. So if the worst was to ever happen, recession, job loss, illness, they'd have the finances to help themselves as much as possible.

The rich after all have the best options for treatment when they are ill after all.

That security can provide happiness.

Jonbvn

I somewhat agree with the OP. It is important (for me at least) that I live a balanced life. Money is important in life of course, but not to the detriment of quality of life.

GreyPilgrim

agent_orange wrote: »

I once knew a guy who would cycle home on the inside of another cyclist so he didn't have to put his cylcle lights on.

:rotfl: :rotfl:

Primrose

I think this is a personal choice. Many people live frugal lives and invest so that they can have the peace of mind which financial security brings in old age. Often such people have had poor childhoods and have seen their parents stuggle in old age and are determined they don't want to find themselves in the same position. How you dispose of your income is up to you. If you're comfortable with being frugal, having money in the bank for your peace of mind and being the richest person in the graveyard, that's OK with me. It's the people who spend every penny on unnecessary fripperies, never control their financial budgets but still begrudge the prudent individuals their savings who I find hard to understand. We all have to work out our own balance between spending and saving.

justme111

agent_orange wrote: »

But something I have noticed is, the ones who have amassed the biggest fortunes are the ones who never loosen the 'purse strings' , even in retirement - they go to the grave the 'richest man in the graveyard'

It's sad to see men who have worked every hour God sends but are unable to enjoy their gains.

I know what you meen, it is difficult to change the mindset in changing circumstances. Probably spending this money on them would bring them more enjoyment but they don't realise it.
On another hand, we can find many examples of people spending considerable money and then regretting it. ( Though probably not on this forum:D

Steve_xx

Some people get really obsessed that they wont have enough money to support themselves in retirement.

You don't know how long you're going to live and nowadays you get lots of people leaving it until the last minute before dying!

agent_orange_2

Thanks for the thoughts on my original post.

I am in agreement with the replies, in the main. I never meant to imply that the wealth 'hoarders' were unhappy, to the contrary, it's probably their main satisfaction in life. I just said it was sad to see these people unable to enjoy the fruits of their labour.
What I wonder is, does the inveterate saver, ever feel happy spending his wealth.