Deciding what to spend money on……

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Everybody’s life and situation is different. I know people that are eyeballs deep in debt – and go out to lunch every day, and stop at Starbucks and spend $5.00+ on a coffee. To each his own. What I can’t stand is when they complain they have no money and then spend needlessly.

I am not the best person when it comes to dealing with money – but I do OK. I pay my bills and my family doesn’t go without. Some cash goes in the bank, we vacation every so often, and I am even able to stash away preparedness supplies as well.

Some websites and other bloggers do their best to make you feel like dirt if every penny doesn’t go towards paying off your debt. I think we all need to be reasonable. I mean – you can be responsible and pay your bills, provide for your family, as well as blow some money on things such as this, this or this. To each his own.

Life should be fun. I like watching movies. Streaming Netflix and buying a DVD or Blu-Ray…..for me well worth the money. Spend $150 on going to a Carolina Panthers game (and watching them loose) – something the kids will always remember. Drive a couple hours and spend money on gas to go up in the mountains and pick apples – wonderful. These are examples of what I find it worth it to spend extra money on.

I write a lot about preparing for the future. How about living for the now as well?

Rourke

Tags: saving money

Saving Money | Rourke October 12, 2011

9 Comments to “Deciding what to spend money on……”

By Todd, October 12, 2011 @ 7:35 am

I think it is important to give kids experiences and memories. That is important. Your kids will always remember going to the mountains to pick apples and going to games.

We should live “balanced” lives. We should also live within our means, something governments don’t understand. That is why it is important to have a budget and stick with it. You can devote money to certain categories and when you have enough, use it for the intended purpose.

Todd
By belinda, October 12, 2011 @ 7:59 am

Kill two birds with one stone and teach the kids how to can or dehydrate those fresh picked apples!!
By Harry, October 12, 2011 @ 10:30 am

Touche!
By millenniumfly, October 12, 2011 @ 4:36 pm

You’re absolutely right. What’s the point in putting every extra dollar into preps if life is just about staying alive rather than living life too? You must have some fun also!
By Reynolds, October 12, 2011 @ 8:08 pm

Great post Rourke! I toil in the oilfields all year then fly somewhere cool for 2 months and giver’ heck (this Spring was Vietnam). 5 years ago all my energies were into prepping and I found I had turned into a bit of a miserly old man at the ripe age of 26. Now I have a “Prepping” spending plan…….a little bit of ant , a little bit of grasshopper.

I like the fact you post 99.99% daily , it’s a good after work check up for me. A salute to your discipline from your Northern neighbour.
By Whatifitistoday?, October 13, 2011 @ 1:22 am

I agree that you have to have some fun in your life that isn’t part of prepping otherwise you will be off balance. We do spend an awful lot on prepping and practicing but this includes fishing with the grandkids, swimming in our new “pool” stocktank, and camping. It’s all about balance.
By SurvivalWoman, October 13, 2011 @ 11:09 am

This is topic I frequently touch upon myself since even in my own household, it is easy to get caught up with the preps and deny myself other pleasures due to the cost. A second part of all of this has to do with time. In addition to the cost, prepping can be a bit rat-hole time wise, robbing you of time with your family, a good book, a movie or a round of Sudoku. One of the biggest time-wasters (guilty as charged) is spending an hour trying to save 50 cents on a single online purchase. Now how foolish is that?

I applaud you for reminding your readers that money spent on living a robust and pleasurable life is money well spent. The secret is not to go into debt and to either save for the goodies and the trips, or find things that are modestly priced that deliver a strong value proposition – fun-wise.

– Gaye
By Ron, October 13, 2011 @ 7:09 pm

Your right, life is about making memories with your family and friends. We live, love, have fun and prep.
Like Jim Rawles says “Its better to be a year or two early than one day late”.
By Jake, October 16, 2011 @ 2:07 pm

Great post! I think it’s important to live life like there is still life to live. Bad things may very well happen in the near future, but I think it’s important to remember that we should take the time to enjoy some of “wasteful” things in life like going to the movies, amusement parks, sporting events, etc.