Did money start losing value to you?

[tay]

Just this afternoon I was deliberating over hotel options for a two night stay for a conference I'm attending next month: Premier Inn for £165 including breakfast, or sea view room at The Grand for £400 including breakfast, each a few minutes walk from the conference location.

The quality of The Grand's breakfast buffet is more than sufficient to justify the extra £235, in my view. And I'm on the bench...

A fool and his money....

[bobhope]

I knew I'd "made it" when I realised I can just walk into my local Texas Fried Chicken and Ribs shop and order whatever I feel like eating, without even checking the cards to see what meal deals they're doing.

The problem is, if you're a proper engineer, you worry about optimisation. 'Have I got the best deal combination here,' I always ask myself, even if the difference is only a couple of pounds.

[Advocate]

For the most part I live a pretty studenty lifestyle anyway

I don't have particularly expensive tastes: I'm not into swanky restaurants, flash cars, or champagne, and I don't travel - maybe a few days in the Lakes, although the last time I did that was about three years ago. I spend a lot more on books than I do on clothes.

I like the fact that I can afford to stay in an expensive hotel, but if I didn't have that money in the bank I wouldn't be bothered by having to stay at the Premier Inn, or even some small B&B, instead.

Never having been primarily motivated by purely material concerns, I don't find that I value money less through having more of it: I've always taken the attitude that if I want something, and can afford it, I might as well have it now. If that means I end up in a cheap coffin, well, so be it

I thought you were about to break into a song about a cocktail... bloody Jimmy buffet

[NotAllThere]

Neither I nor my wife spend extravagantly. I don't sweat over small amount - I couldn't care less - but she does. Neither of us bat an eyelid over spending a little, or even a lot more, in order to get value for money.

Our attitudes have changed since I started contracting. I used to spend a lot on unnecessary stuff, and we would generally buy the second cheapest product. I think contracting helped me to understand the value of money, and the power that wealth brings. Rich people stay rich by not spending unnecessarily.

[ThomasSoerensen]

Neither I nor my wife spend extravagantly. I don't sweat over small amount - I couldn't care less - but she does. Neither of us bat an eyelid over spending a little, or even a lot more, in order to get value for money.

Our attitudes have changed since I started contracting. I used to spend a lot on unnecessary stuff, and we would generally buy the second cheapest product. I think contracting helped me to understand the value of money, and the power that wealth brings. Rich people stay rich by not spending unnecessarily.

WHS

[expat]

Neither I nor my wife spend extravagantly. I don't sweat over small amount - I couldn't care less - but she does. Neither of us bat an eyelid over spending a little, or even a lot more, in order to get value for money.

Our attitudes have changed since I started contracting. I used to spend a lot on unnecessary stuff, and we would generally buy the second cheapest product. I think contracting helped me to understand the value of money, and the power that wealth brings. Rich people stay rich by not spending unnecessarily.

Buy less, but better.
Buy best, cry once.

[oracleslave]

I spend extravagantly...on me and my family. We live every day to the max.

[Money Money Money]

money money money

Yeah what?

[tay]

I spend **** all so my mortgages can disappear and I can be a lazy git. I dont mind appearing cash poor as long as I know I am financially ok and having a financially stress free life.

[lukemg]

One of the best things for me is not actually thinking about money for most of the time. When contracting, normal bills, meals out, holidays, petrol, stuff for the house etc are just some things that happen, they don't cause any concern or require any attention.
Note - I am not talking about going mad, I try to buy stuff I want when I need it e.g. Telly breaks, I will do a bit of research get a good one (not SOTA) that I am happy with and forget about it.
For my rate, you get to think about a slightly nicer car, holiday, house etc but it's not a total life changer !
Hit the contract skids about 4 years ago, no work, went perm for half the contract money and I was earning less than I needed to sustain my lifestyle and although I had reserves they soon got burnt through. Worst thing was having to think about all the stuff above again, it was annoying but only cos I realised I had been a bit spoiled.
I am back on the gravy train now and appreciate it a LOT more, had 4 months on the bench this year but back earning now. I have kept the same car - a golf diesel, although I am now looking to upgrade, using cash reserves, I don't want big loan payments other than a mortgage ! (Porsches + Mercs cost me a bundle last time). Luxury is having the choice of whether to work or not, being able to turn down contracts away, pick and choose etc. Only substantial reserves and money working via investments etc are going to do this for me.
In short, keep a lid on expenses but defo splash a bit to give you some payback, stash a bit to cover the lean years and try to spend big when it has piled up.