LivingAlmostLarge - trying to live large  ...one step at a time

A savings compulsion?

November 18th, 2008 · 11 Comments · Net Worth, Savings, Spending

MSN had a great article about “Secret Millionaires: Addicted to savings“.  It talks about how compulsive savers whose habits can take a dark turn.  Savings can become such an addiction that it’s hard to spend, enjoy, or give away your money.
The author, Brent Kessler calls people “savers”.  People who only buy things that are on [...]

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just because you can afford it…

October 29th, 2008 · 19 Comments · Rant, Spending

I just got through a visit from my parents.  Always interesting, always tiring.  So anyway my parents stayed with us and it was good. They visited me last year and I was surprised.  First time in 4 years, and a repeat visit was unheard of. I think it was mostly due to my siblings moving [...]

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Can we afford it?

October 12th, 2008 · 14 Comments · Spending

I love that segment of the Suze Orman show. I was watching it last night and it was fantastic.  I decided to have fun this weekend and instead write a post about “Can I afford it?” I thought it might be fun to see what Suzi says.
First up, Teri wants to buy a Greek Coin [...]

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is spending wrong?

September 19th, 2008 · 29 Comments · Frugal, Spending

When did it become wrong to spend money? I haven’t figure it out yet, but apparently it’s recently become a sin, wasteful, and extravagent to spend the money you earn or saved.
On a thread on SavingAdvice a known saver raised the discussion “there is nothing wrong with spending money…“.  This lead to a interesting discussions [...]

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Trading Up?

September 7th, 2008 · 19 Comments · Net Worth, Personal Finance, Spending

What happens when you trade up?  Is there a right and a wrong way to trade up a home or car?  I mentioned earlier this week that we’re “bumped up in class.”
But are we stuck on what we think we deserve or want?  That we can’t imagine living in a one bedroom condo and so [...]

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Frame or Not?

September 4th, 2008 · 5 Comments · Fun, Spending, gifts

A simple thought, should I spend the money and frame this embroidery picture my grandmother made for me?  It will likely be at least $40.  But it’s a cool picture and one she made and probably the last she’ll ever make because of her arthritis.

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Why aren’t we Honest?

September 2nd, 2008 · 13 Comments · Debt, Financial Mistakes, Net Worth, Personal Finance, budgeting

Why is it in our society aren’t we honest with each other about our finances?  Why is it such a social taboo?  I mean even previously I asked how soon into a relationship do you discuss finances?  And most people agreed only when the relatationships gets serious, not in the first few dates.  So we [...]

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When a sale isn’t a deal

September 1st, 2008 · 6 Comments · Savings, Spending, stupid tax

When is a sale not a deal?  Simple answer, when you are buying something at rock bottom prices for no other reason than it’s on sale.  Sounds stupid right?  But how many people justify buying something because it was on sale? Or say it’s such a great deal I couldn’t pass it up.  The truth [...]

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Should we deviate from our goals?

July 28th, 2008 · 13 Comments · Debt, Spending, Student Loans, budgeting

At the end of 2007, I set out goals financially for us to achieve here.

Max out 401k - on track
Max out Roth IRA 2008 - done
Max out ESPP - done
Cash Flow $20k tuition - done
Not take out student loan of $8500 - debating
All cash month - done

It’s not yet the end of the year but [...]

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Cost versus Comfort

July 21st, 2008 · 9 Comments · Frugal, Spending

So this weekend my DH woke up in pain and complaining about the mattress.  We bought in in 1/2002, after 18 months of sleeping on futons and the floor. At the time it felt like luxury to even have a bed.  We bought the queen sized mattress and boxspring for $200.  It was a fantastic [...]

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