topic Re: Trends - Fads etc in Community Chat

Trends - Fads etc

151949 — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 14:46:22 GMT

When something new appears on the scene there are those who just MUST have it at any cost. They are totally without the ability to evaluate if it is a good idea or a reasonable use of their money - they simply HAVE TO HAVE IT because everyone else does. As a proud tightwad I am not able to understand that mindset. Example : people who pay a small fortune for certain trendy cell phones. Or people who have to chuck almost their entire wardrobe each season to buy whatever the magazines say is that year's style. (I used to have a neighbor who did that every season - and she bought most of her clothes at Saks - some of the other neighbors who wore her same size did very well with her cast offs). My DH is a little bit this way with electronics but he is also a tightwad so that keeps him reined in. I also don't get when someone gets all in a huff because someone says they don't want to buy the newest and greatest widget out there. What do you care about what new technology somewhat else has or doesn't have? What difference does it make to you if I have SS appliances or white? If i have granite counters or formica?

Ok - rant over.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

Pook — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:22:03 GMT

I know those like that and if that is what they enjoy - it's their money!! I don't understand it but I'm sure others don't understand what I like to buy. I don't care about such things but I also don't ponder and evaluate every purchase I want to make either. I buy what I want and it's no one's business what I choose to buy. Life is way too short to obsess about such things so buy what you enjoy.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

FrostyBabe — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:27:13 GMT

Don't want it? Don't buy it. What other people do with their money is their business, not yours.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

heartkeeper — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:30:37 GMT

I don't have that mindset either. I understand it's their money and they can spend it how they wish. I have seen others spend money like this but then complain when their cash is running short or they claim to not be able to have any savings.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

VioletEyes — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:32:20 GMT

It is none of my business what people do with their money. I've worked hard and spend as much as I save. I enjoy buying non-essentials and have earned that right. You sound very embittered and in order to live a self proclaimed cheapskate lifestyle, you chastise people who don't need to be cheapskates. Emphasis on "need."

Re: Trends - Fads etc

brii — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:33:50 GMT

I do not concern myself how people spend their money.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

donasmom — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:40:51 GMT

My husband and I worked very hard so that we could retire in our 50s. One thing we learned in our journey to early retirement is to not comment or be concerned with the way others spend their money. I believe AA has a very good saying: ""You only need to worry about keeping your side of the street clean. Let others worry about theirs"".

Re: Trends - Fads etc

Cakers1 — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:29:13 GMT

happy: Then you wonder why you get the responses you claim are just mean and nasty to you.

Mind your own business.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

cotton4me — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:32:24 GMT

I understand what the OP is saying. I’m one that doesn’t care about having the latest and greatest. It seems I’m usually swimming against the tide. I hear you about granite vs Formica, SS vs white, etc. For me, I want the easiest thing to care for, and generally it’s not what’s in style.

I was recently criticized for having a flip cell phone. It doesn’t bother me. I’m happy with my choices and hope others are happy with theirs.

In some instances I think people feel pressure to keep up with the Joneses. People should be able to purchase what they want but I also think we have a problem in this country with over consumption and too much debt. We all pay for that.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

Marienkaefer2 — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:34:33 GMT

Well, I.would agree with the o/p except for the fact that at the beginning of her post, she is doing exactly what she states she dislikes others doing to her...judging.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

VanSleepy — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:36:24 GMT

In your OP you say, "What do you care about what new technology someone else has or doesn't have?" It seems the point of your rant is that YOU care.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

151949 — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:37:23 GMT

It is really not about how others spend their money but about how they will chastise those of us who are more frugal because we don't buy every newest and more expensive gadget or trend that comes along. For instance - someone will ask about buying a tracfone and you can count on it there will be numerous posts saying they can't understand why you won't buy a iphone. Can't they understand that not everyone wants , needs and can afford an i phone?

Re: Trends - Fads etc

151949 — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:38:31 GMT

On 9/1/2014 cottonball said:

I understand what the OP is saying. I’m one that doesn’t care about having the latest and greatest. It seems I’m usually swimming against the tide. I hear you about granite vs Formica, SS vs white, etc. For me, I want the easiest thing to care for, and generally it’s not what’s in style.

I was recently criticized for having a flip cell phone. It doesn’t bother me. I’m happy with my choices and hope others are happy with theirs.

In some instances I think people feel pressure to keep up with the Joneses. People should be able to purchase what they want but I also think we have a problem in this country with over consumption and too much debt. We all pay for that.

exactly!!

Re: Trends - Fads etc

151949 — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:40:05 GMT

On 9/1/2014 Marienkaefer2 said: Well, I.would agree with the o/p except for the fact that at the beginning of her post, she is doing exactly what she states she dislikes others doing to her...judging.

I'm not judging but i am tired of being judged for stupid, insignificant things.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

brii — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:42:53 GMT

You are judging. You are judging peoples' motivations for their purchases

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OCGurl — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:44:34 GMT

I purchase what I can afford & if it includes that latest trend then so be it. It's my money to spend, I've earned every penny of it!! Love my iPhone.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

sidsmom — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:45:02 GMT

I agree...but (IMO) the one thing to 'keep up on' is technology...not for the fact of having a sparky, shiny new phone/computer, but eventually basic programs won't run using an old processor in an old phone/computer. My BF had a flip phone...heels dug in not to buy new...when she was dropping calls, not getting messages, etc. As soon as she got a new iPhone, everything was perfect! She now keeps up w/ her technology.

Do I care if you have a new phone? Nope. I just sit back & quietly observe. Actions speak louder than words.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

Qwackertoo — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:46:15 GMT

On 9/1/2014 happy housewife said:
It is really not about how others spend their money but about how they will chastise those of us who are more frugal because we don't buy every newest and more expensive gadget or trend that comes along. For instance - someone will ask about buying a tracfone and you can count on it there will be numerous posts saying they can't understand why you won't buy a iphone. Can't they understand that not everyone wants , needs and can afford an i phone?

In that case . . . a big old whopping dose of MYOB applies to "those of us" meaning YOU and "they".

It's NOT Rocket Science.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

NoelSeven — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:52:40 GMT

Don't worry about what you think other people are doing that's always, always so wrong. You're going to give yourself high-blood pressure.

Slow down and enjoy your time at campsites, the trees, creeks.

ps No, I don't have an iPhone and I don't want one. More importantly, I don't care if other people do or do not.

Re: Trends - Fads etc

kittymomNC — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:55:13 GMT

On 9/1/2014 happy housewife said:
It is really not about how others spend their money but about how they will chastise those of us who are more frugal because we don't buy every newest and more expensive gadget or trend that comes along. For instance - someone will ask about buying a tracfone and you can count on it there will be numerous posts saying they can't understand why you won't buy a iphone. Can't they understand that not everyone wants , needs and can afford an i phone?

I really don't care at all what other people prefer to buy, use, have, accumulate, etc. I spend my money the way I want, for what I want or need, and whether or not I have the latest gadgets, appliances (I don't like stainless steel), or whatever, makes no difference to me as long as my wants/needs are met.

In fact, I have a 4-year old Tracphone that is a flip-phone...it makes calls, takes pictures, and texts (which I don't do)...in other words, it does what I need in an emergency, and that's why I have it. I may get a new one next time they're offered, since that would be about the same as buying a year's service with this one.

Apparently there are a lot of people who feel the way I do about the Tracphone. There was a thread just a few days ago asking people's opinions about the Tracphones, and out of 33 responses, I don't think any of them chastised or made fun of the OP because she didn't talk about buying an iphone or smartphone, or whatever. They were almost ALL very positive responses about the Tracphone. So there may be more people out there than you think who are frugal and don't need to spend their money on the latest "gadgets". One doesn't have to take "frugality" overboard to know how best to take care of their finances.

BTW, who are all the people who are judging you for "stupid, insignificant things"? Just curious.