Life Experiences Far Outweigh The Cost of Attaining Them.
I was reminded of this when it came time to drop $300 on plane tickets to New Orleans. As you all know, I'm a pretty frugal guy when it comes down to it, so for me to spend that kind of money w/out much thought says something. And what it was saying this week was IT'S BOYS WEEKEND, baby - time for a little fun!
That means plenty of laughs, plenty of bevies, and plenty of good old fashion fun to be had. Yup, when it comes to traveling and spending time with your closest friends - what I deem "Life Experiences" - you take every opportunity you can, even if you have to scrounge around a bit. (or maybe not if you have that Fun Fund built up!)
It may cost a nice chunk of change sometimes, but that'll be the last thing on your mind when you're old and gray telling stories of the "good ol' days" ;) That $300 would have been long gone anyways, but those stories of catching Uncle Charlie passed out on stranger's lawns wearing nothing but a sombrero will be instant classics! And hopefully passed down through generation after generation too! haha....
You still have to be smart about it and do your research to find the best deals out there, but the point is you can't buy adventures like that (or even time for that matter). What we hold onto in life are all the wonderful memories and friendships we experienced, not the money. Having bushels of it is nice, but at some point it's gotta be spent. And if not on a trip w/ all your closest friends, then when?
posted by J. Money at
7:14 AM
21 Comments:
Yes! Those types of weekends are easily worth the $$$ to have memories with friends. I have a traveling fund that I put 100.00 a month into an account so when weekends like this come up(or vacation). I usually live outside the "Budgets are sexy" life, when I am on vacation or weekend trips like this.
I think you nailed it right on the head with having money "...but at some point it's gotta be spent. And if not on a trip w/ all your closest friends, then when?"
I couldn't agree more. When I was younger, acquiring material stuff was on the top of my "important in life" list. But the older I become, I realize that life-experiences such as eating new cuisines and traveling to foreign countries is much more important.
Absolutely! You have to splurge a little every once in a while, assuming you're already handling your finances pretty well. If you're already knee-deep in debt and have been having one too many "life experiences," you better sit this one out.
Great post.
To echo what both you J, and ShtinkyKat said, I'm slowly starting to realize that I previously used to be more into having the material things, but I am learning that the life experiences are more of what it is about. I'd rather splurge on that nice bottle of wine at dinner, or take an afternoon road trip up to see the Phillies beat the Padres (did that one yesterday afternoon!!) and not necessarily think too much about the cost, but more about the experience and especially the time with the people in my life that mean the most to me. It's these little splurges that will mean the most in the long run I believe.
Very good advice. We have to pause from time to time and remind ourselves why it is we work to get money. Isn't it to help us enjoy life? As others have commented, you have to be wise about this but you do have to let yourself enjoy life.
I totally agree...the best things in life aren't things.
I've always loved to travel and I've passed on the travel 'bug' to my hubby of 10 years. So we live within our means, have a smaller home compared to our friends, have no kids but we also take at least 2 nice vacations a year that others envy.
I simply cannot agree with you more!
I learned early on while traveling that it was important to bring enough money with me to be able to do some of those crazy, spur of the moment things! I watch my pennies ordinarily, but sometimes you just gotta let go of the purse strings and have a great time. I remember everything I've done on my trips... but not how much money they cost. That just sort of faded away since it's no longer important to me.
You can't buy memories like that! Besides, I make money so I can LIVE, I don't live to MAKE MONEY! :D
Saver's remorse can be harsh... good reminder to get out there and live life instead of checking your bank account "score".
I completely agree - you can't put a price on experiences. It's worth it to make the memories, cause you can help those last forever.
Agreed! Although I am the one in the debt that needs to sit a few out for the moment... But I am always of the mindset that I will always live within my means so that I can have the biggest travel & fun budget possible!
oh yeah, def. gotta sit one out every now and then before you get into trouble even more ;) and having that "travel fund" set up is a GREAT way to save up that money and not feel bad about spending it all - good call atlas@mymoneyshrugged.
3 weeks 'till lift off! just gotta make sure to watch what i spend when drinking some milk over there....don't wanna have TOO much fun if ya know what i'm saying ;)
Hehe, I sometimes think my sole purpose of being frugal is just so I can have the funds to travel ; ). Great post - memories are priceless (especially when you can score a good travel deal online, too).
I agree completely and have a vacation fund over an emergency fund going right now for that exact reason. Sometimes you have to live, and if having a great experience may force you to stay in a night or two on a weekend or what not, so worth it in the end. They are stories to have forever.
You are so right about that one. We are planning some trips for the spring/summer while I'm on disability and we just had to say, "screw it" and just do it. We've been so stressed out lately, we need to give this to ourselves.
I have given up on purchasing possessions. They serve little purposes in my life. Since I have graduated college in 2006, I have little to show for on the side of possessions (material things). What I do have to show for are a ton of memories. Trips to Las Vegas, LA 2x, Chicago 2x, Costa Rica, Houston, Dallas, and DC and NYC tons of times. I would not trade it for the world. Its all bout where you have been and where you are going, not what you have. Just my opinion from my experiences of course.
Being born and raised in the Big Easy, I am so thrilled that people are going there to visit! Especially after Katrina... The tourist parts are rebuilt, no issue there. But if you get a chance to drive around and see some of the neighborhoods, it will be a really sobering event.
Wish I could come party - but I am living 700 miles away. :(
Thanks for the reminder. I have no reason to feel guilty about taking the kids to Disney, because my financial house is in order and I could afford it.
People first, baby!!!
Yup - PEOPLE FIRST, BABY!
@pauper princess - Yeah, i REALLY hope we get a chance to drive around and see everything! i'll have to make sure to "take it easy" the first night and then go crazier the next as to feel good during our daily adventures ;)
I agree with you, except many people do too much "living" like this and end up in debt because of it. You do need to place limits too.
Yup. I totally agree! I think people get so wrapped up in money that they sometimes forget to live. What's the point of having the money if you're not going to spend it on the things that really matter in life? Stuff is nice and all, but it doesn't compare to having those life experiences.
Ahem...so, this Uncle Charlie. Do we get to hear the story, or are you just a tease J? Hehehe...
I'm just a tease ;) I actually had some crazier stories plopped in throughout here, but took 'em out in case they were too inapprop. which, as you know, must be bad if I thought that! haha...btw, I'm linking to your bank robbing article tomorrow - insane!
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