tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post1540065701168466940..comments2023-03-22T03:04:16.421-07:00Comments on Finally Frugal: Frugal envy. . . .Finally Frugalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273720976098302248noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post-35795426597988419942008-05-25T18:07:00.000-07:002008-05-25T18:07:00.000-07:00What a great post. Although I am quite frugal, I t...What a great post. Although I am quite frugal, I too struggle with envy of the material items. Then, I take a step back and see all I do have, both material and not. It makes it all worth it!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07111689311833637556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post-59554691201278582912008-05-08T19:39:00.000-07:002008-05-08T19:39:00.000-07:00One thing I like to do to "re-direct" my envy is r...One thing I like to do to "re-direct" my envy is read some frugal blogs and work up some frugal-living envy! I've noticed that after spending so much time on these blogs I don't really care as much when my coworkers talk about their new Wii/flat screen/Iphone, instead I wish I could grocery shop like the Money Saving Mom and get rid of my debt fast like J.D. at Get Rich Slowly! It still gets frustrating to know that I'm feeling the envy, but it provides motivation to do better! I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog, thank you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04913556645268170367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post-91545878974612007402008-05-07T11:59:00.000-07:002008-05-07T11:59:00.000-07:00I found your blog through a carnival, and was shoc...I found your blog through a carnival, and was shocked by your honesty... it made me realize you are right! It is really important to evaulate your self and realize that you shouldnt be trying to keep up with the jones but instead be <A HREF="http://www.nationalpayday.com/education/paycheck_advance/paychecks.asp" REL="nofollow">saving money</A> and paying down debt.<BR/><BR/>Keep it up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post-40663240750839638542008-05-01T05:18:00.000-07:002008-05-01T05:18:00.000-07:00Thank you for such an honest post - I think there'...Thank you for such an honest post - I think there's a lot of people that have the same feelings. We just refinanced our mortgage and paid off all the credit cards. Now I'm ready to work hard to make sure we don't get in that same situation again. <BR/><BR/>Your quote from Lao Tzu prompted me to get out my Dr. Dyer "Change Your Thoughts" book.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again for your posts - they're great motivation to start the day with!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post-40675546330382720402008-05-01T03:45:00.000-07:002008-05-01T03:45:00.000-07:00I think you are very brave to admit your weaknesse...I think you are very brave to admit your weaknesses and struggles with envy, feelings of self doubt and financial woes. These are difficult issues to confront. I have found myself with the same feelings as well over the past year, having left an unhappy marraige and having to really re-consider my spending and feelings of self worth. I frequently find myself, as you do, comparing myself to others (not only financially, but also in terms of others' marraiges or personal relationships) and what I have come to realize (also with the help of a good therapist!) is this; YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT GOES ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. Although someone's life (relationship, car, house, clothes, children, etc.) may look picture perfect, we are not privy to all the pain and difficulties that others may be experiencing. Things are not always as they appear (for example, who knows what really goes on in the life of your sylish co-worker who always looks like a million bucks?) Thanks for your honesty and sharing and here's to frugality!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post-20991144893433649612008-04-30T23:11:00.000-07:002008-04-30T23:11:00.000-07:00Great post! I know what you mean about family and ...Great post! I know what you mean about family and friends, most of ours think we've lost our marbles.<BR/>I really don't miss 'keeping up with the Jones'its made life much simpler.<BR/>Thanks for visiting my blog :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post-42504056057980310252008-04-30T11:29:00.000-07:002008-04-30T11:29:00.000-07:00Rachel, having your mortgage paid off in five year...Rachel, having your mortgage paid off in five years is an amazing feat! And yes, think of the freedom you'll have when that's been accomplished, while your brother-in-law and his growing family are wondering why they needed those new carpets (that are suddenly old and stained with grape juice)!<BR/><BR/>Here's another quote that I keep above my desk, that is somewhat relevant:<BR/><BR/>"Chase after money and security,<BR/>And your heart will never unclench.<BR/>Care about people's approval,<BR/>and you will be their prisoner.<BR/>Do your work, and then step back.<BR/>The only path to serenity".<BR/>Lao TzuFinally Frugalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12273720976098302248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post-82708267514022874992008-04-30T10:45:00.000-07:002008-04-30T10:45:00.000-07:00At times like this, I think of a saying from Pytha...At times like this, I think of a saying from Pythagoras: "Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they please."<BR/>One could substitute "envy" for "others" above.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post-70922506850173939352008-04-30T10:24:00.000-07:002008-04-30T10:24:00.000-07:00Fantastic article and you are so right. I was very...Fantastic article and you are so right. I was very jealous when I looked around by brother in-laws house. he has had new carpets, completely redecorated, new kitchen, new bathroom and loft conversion. It looks fantastic. They are on good salaries but their mortgage is more than twice mine....I am trying to pay mine off and am very pleased to be living in a house that needs new carpets, decoration, a new bathroom and new furniture as I know that my mortgage will be paid off within the next five years, then the children will be older and I make all the changes I want to the house and they might actually last. Did I mention, they are just starting a family.......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post-74378842475564082572008-04-30T09:04:00.000-07:002008-04-30T09:04:00.000-07:00I'm so glad this post resonated with you! I've be...I'm so glad this post resonated with you! I've been trying to really understand my own weaknesses lately, and I think envy played a large role in my descent into credit card (and other) debt. <BR/><BR/>It's a struggle, but I'm trying to be grateful for what I already have. This may sound crazy, but I get a kick out of digging into my closet for something 'old', and having someone comment on it and ask if it's new! Very satisfying to be using the 'things' that I purchased (and rarely wore) so many years ago. . . .Finally Frugalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12273720976098302248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post-14368194608582231072008-04-30T08:59:00.000-07:002008-04-30T08:59:00.000-07:00I just found your blog this morning. Thank you for...I just found your blog this morning. Thank you for a thoughtful post about the "bad old days" of consumerism. I'm going to go read your archives now. Keep up the good work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8600248025662223449.post-79432287774917927302008-04-30T07:28:00.000-07:002008-04-30T07:28:00.000-07:00I happened upon your blog and I think it may be a ...I happened upon your blog and I think it may be a kind of divine intervention-your post really hit home today,just when i needed it most.I have been trying to get our finances under control this year and it is actually going really well but I have serious car and cell phone envy right now! I drive a 2003 Dodge neon-its a piece of crap but it runs and it gets decent gas mileage-we live in NW PA where winters get pretty treacherous and i would LOVE a small all wheel drive vehicle but I need to be grateful that i even own a car and that i didn't fall victim to the whole gas guzzling SUV craze the past few years!<BR/>And oh how I'd love a cell phone with unlimited texting,photo and internet capabilities and one that was super cute of course...I need to be grateful that I even have the phone and am not tied to a landline!<BR/>So thank you thank you for the reminder today to count my blessings-I have put you on my favorites list so i can check back often.<BR/>Good luck on your adventure to financial freedom!<BR/>maryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com