I've been having this debate with myself for quite some time, and not even Dr. Phil will dare give any good advice. Let's examine the life of Bob.

Bob's a young guy, in a stable relationship, and has no plans for kids. He's got a good job that pays well, he's on track to be mortgage free in a few years, and essentially no commitments. He works hard, was just promoted, and has generally minimized expenses with the goal of being financially secure.

Say Bob wants a new TV...not because he needs one, but because he wants one. Bob can afford it without making a significant impact into his bottom line. Would Bob be well advised to:

a) go for the TV. Perhaps Bob would be stuck in a perpetual cycle of "I gotta save for next year, and the year after that" until he's too old to really enjoy anything.
b) pass on the TV because there are other things out there that may be as enjoyable (such as a round of mini golf and a Big Bacon Classic), and don't cost as much as a TV. Maybe in a few years Bob can get a better TV.

Bob's biggest fear, aside from the earwigs that lurk under the BBQ cover, is that he will pass on many of life's smaller pleasures because he is only looking at the bigger picture. Where is the balance? How should Bob know what is best? Is it only up to Bob?

I'm not Bob...Bob is just a misguided and troubled young man who is a little frustrated with his frugality lately.

Cheers,
Mark
(my last name isn't Bob, Robert, Bobby, Roberto, or anything like that)

posted by 24.112.154...

• OT: Treating yourself vs. future indulgence, FrozenSaab, Fri, 20 Aug 2004 16:16:24 <-- Viewing This Message
  • many thanks from Bob, FrozenSaab, Fri, 27 Aug 2004 17:25:55
  • Forget the TV and have a couple of kids!, Dave in Houston, Tue, 24 Aug 2004 05:00:18
    • Re: Forget the TV and have a couple of kids!, Mark Anderson, Tue, 24 Aug 2004 08:26:34
      • I think old Saabs are probably more predictable..., Dave in Houston, Tue, 24 Aug 2004 13:47:19
  • middle ground, Justin34, Mon, 23 Aug 2004 11:38:38
  • Bob doesn't have to be a NAME....., Martin, Mon, 23 Aug 2004 09:12:23
  • Spend on the stuff that's important... to you, Noel, Mon, 23 Aug 2004 09:00:53
  • I've been through one extreme to the other (long)..., jimtimkim, Mon, 23 Aug 2004 07:48:56
  • balance, jp, Sat, 21 Aug 2004 18:41:56
  • Geez thanks for your concern but..., saw, Sat, 21 Aug 2004 16:09:30
  • Saab indulgence....., Mike Lynch , Sat, 21 Aug 2004 15:13:41
  • Re: OT: Treating yourself vs. future indulgence, Randy Thatcher , Sat, 21 Aug 2004 11:19:51
  • Bob should spend the $ on bamboo canes to whip himself>, ChipJ, Sat, 21 Aug 2004 06:27:28
  • I say he should go for it, NateinAA, Sat, 21 Aug 2004 05:57:49
  • It's pretty simple..Buy, just not on impulse, texsaab, Sat, 21 Aug 2004 03:32:28
  • Simple pleasures......., Mike Lynch , Fri, 20 Aug 2004 18:29:18
    • Confession from Bob, FrozenSaab, Fri, 20 Aug 2004 18:42:00
      • Well, y'know ..., RS , Sat, 21 Aug 2004 09:18:44
  • don't pass on the TV ... option B is bad, option A good, Trev, Fri, 20 Aug 2004 17:07:13
    • Avril...another facet of diamond Bob, FrozenSaab, Fri, 20 Aug 2004 17:34:52
      • Lifestyle choices..., Scott Paterson , Fri, 20 Aug 2004 19:43:02
      • is Diamond Bob like Diamond Dave?, Trev, Fri, 20 Aug 2004 18:00:35
  • your imaginary friend?...., baggsly , Fri, 20 Aug 2004 16:51:18
    • Bob lives down the street, FrozenSaab, Fri, 20 Aug 2004 16:58:24
      • hmm, throw him a bone and distract him..., baggsly , Fri, 20 Aug 2004 17:08:16

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