Journal jawtheshark's Journal: i don't understand, but then I've been brought up to save... 5
In Time of Scrimping, Fun Stuff Is Still Selling... WTF?!?
I know, I'm old fashioned and people like me break the economy of over-consumption. I save, like many generations have done before me. For me, it is absolutely inconceivable buying luxury items when you're having financial trouble. That's the times you tighten the belt and do with less.
I must truly be from a different planet.... Well across the big pond, but I wouldn't be surprised if my fellow Europeans aren't much better.
Americans are weak (Score:1)
You can bet that my grandmother knew how to save -- she was a depression-era woman. She and my grandfather never made much money, but even during the post-WWII boom in the U.S., they were frugal. The teacher and the low-level government employee died with millions in the bank.
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Oh, our time will come. I always have the impression that the American attitude has been seeping into European consciousness, but always around 30 years later. I learned frugality from my parents. While we weren't bad-off, they always instilled us with financial responsibility. I think that is one of the greatest assets to have in life. The first time I actually was confronted closely with people not thinking like that, was when I got together with my (then-future) wife. Saving is not on their agenda *
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While I agree it's a good thing to have a small nest egg, so one can weather bad times, millions in the bank for a comparably low pay couple seem obscene.
After all, although money and 'stuff' is not the most important in life, sometimes it's nice to be able to spend some.
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I agree that it would have been nice if they'd had some fun in their lives, but they did it for family. Being debt free (not even a mortgage) was very important to them, as well.
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Well, my parents did quite well. They won't leave me much money though. They'll leave me real estate. Where I live, that the most awesome present one can get *and* I profit from it right now. :-) However, yes, I know this way of thinking. My parents aren't that extreme, but I can't even remember when they took a full week vacation "all expenses paid". I think they got to Italy for a long weekend a few years ago, organized why the local commune or something like that.
I have a lot of that mindset, luck