Are you a "saver" or "spender"?
By mermaid911
@mermaid911 (798)
Philippines
June 26, 2007 12:43am CST
A lot of people complain that I'm so thrifty and sometimes they think that its beyond the normal thriftiness. I dont consider myself that thrifty, though, I also spend my money but on really important stuff like education and food. I would save up my money for something greater rather than buying small inexpensive things that would amount to a big amount later on.
What about you? Are you a spender or saver?
3 people like this
31 responses
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
26 Jun 07
I understand your attitude because my friend's like you. Its not like you won't be enjoying life if you save. I actually believe that you will be able to enjoy your life more because if you save you will have money for greater stuff. Instead of buying lots of inexpensive blouses, try saving so you can buy a few quality blouses that you can really use. This will also give you more money to buy the latest gadgets to help you with your work, studies or in your communication with your friends. I don't know how to help you with this because this is really a thing of the will. If you really will to do something, you will work hard to achieve that. What I advised my friend before was to avoid going to malls and shopping centers to avoid being tempted to buy whatever is pleasing to her eyes. I know this is difficult because there seems to be a magnet in those items we find around. This is precisely the goal of the businesses, to make their items as attractive as possible. You just have to strengthen your will.
I am enjoying my life right now because I can buy whatever I want to buy. Plus I get to have a higher salary than other colleagues because I opted for further studies in my profession. Thanks for your response.
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
This is normal I guess but at least you have a little saver instinct. Thanks for sharing.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
26 Jun 07
i am definitely a saver but i am not stingy... i only spend my money whenever is necessary... otherwise, i won't spend my money... i know how hard it is to earn money... so i have to be really wise in spending my money... thanks God that He always gives me the wisdom to manage my money wisely...
1 person likes this
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
You are lucky. A lot of people would want to know how to budget money but they find it real difficult to do so. Yes, thanks God. Thanks for your response.
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
26 Jun 07
You are absolutely right on that! You really have to prioritize your spouse and kids. This was how my dad brought us up and now I'm following his footsteps. I believe this was a good training for me which helped me a lot in my life as an adult. You can also teach this to your kids. It will be a good training for them and they'll be thankful to you for this. Thanks for your response.
@pyrofortress (192)
• United States
27 Jun 07
Well...I'm a spender and a saver, I save, and then when I find something I know I'll like, I look into it alot, and figure out if I'll really like it, for instance a mac book pro..and THEN I'll go out and buy one, but I don't just buy something aimlessly just because it looks cool or something. But usually when I find something I'll really like, it's at least $100+ _
1 person likes this
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
You are what we call a "wise spender" and that is great! Thats the best way to handle your finances. It doesnt necessarily mean we dont buy anything at all, its just that we only buy if we have to. This is opposed to impulse buyers who most often regret that they bought such and such products. It was nice discussing with you. Keep up your good habit! Thank you.
1 person likes this
@yuanchang (474)
• Philippines
26 Jun 07
i am a saver. i am very thrift when it comes to my money. when i really wanted to buy something i think 100 times more before buying it. i ended up not buying the thing that i really wanted because saving is more important for me.
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
26 Jun 07
Hey, im also like that. I stop myself from buying things right away and spend time thinking if I really need to buy the thing. Thanks for your response.
@yuanchang (474)
• Philippines
26 Jun 07
i guess we are born thrifty. hope we could make use of our resources for our future happiness. right on!
@rosaflorence (1924)
• United States
11 Jul 07
I am both. I save money on a lot of things. I am very conservative when it comes to my bills but when it comes to me walking in Wal-Mart, I tend to spend a lot of money.
I try not to go places alone or I jot down items that I need and try to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible before I started seeing items that I think for some reason that I can't live without.
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
11 Jul 07
Wow! You have a tremendous self-discipline. It is difficult to be both because you'll have to be balancing things off and there's a great tendency that you'll tip off on one side but I hope it's the safer side. Your spending habit is admirable. Keep it up. Thanks for your response.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
10 Jul 07
I am a saver. I save up for important things, and even though I might need something like an inexpensive blouse or a magazine, I would rather go without so I can get that big item. I am married, and I do not make that much money so for me to spend it on food would mean I cannot get what I really want.
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
11 Jul 07
You are not far from success. Keep up your good habit. Thanks for responding.
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
26 Jun 07
I'm definitely a saver. I was raised in a family of savers and I am trying to teach my children the importance of saving money, rather than spending it for instant gratification. Unfortunately, their generation wants things right this minute and I think we will be seeing more and more people trying to climb out of a hole of debt.
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
You are very lucky and you should be thankful to your parents for bringing you up this way. Delaying your gratification is very helpful for you and will help you survive in lots of situations. I hope more people will learn from you. Thanks for replying.
@nandhinir (154)
• India
26 Jun 07
I will spend money where and when required...Will not spend all the money I have...Thats not good too...I will not spend for myself..But when I am around with someone I will pay bills in hotel..I will see that no one blame me that I am thrifty...!!!
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
haha. i'm not really that thrifty. I do spend when I have to but I also save when I can. Well i guess youre a balanced spender. Thanks for discussing.
@singod (25)
• China
27 Jun 07
To be frankly,I'm a spender.Maybe it is because I use my parents' money to pay the tuition and my daily cost and I don't konw the hardness of the earning money.But on occasion,I could be a saver.It's just when I want to buy some big items that my parents don't approve and I must save money myself to own it.I will try to be a saver since.
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
I do not expect students to be savers because theyre not earning their own money and they dont really work hard for it. Anyway, when youre on your own and working hard to earn, you will be able to determine whether youre really a spender or saver. But you can always change if you will to do so. Thank you.
@tumalty1980 (256)
•
26 Jun 07
I put 15% of all takings and profit into a saving account then spend, spend, spend, Its mainly on my house , New kitchen, bathroom, conservator, loft conversion and redecorating alot.
I have a habbit of buying the lates gadget Iv had 3 phone since Christmas and I'm on my second laptop since November
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
From your discussion, I am just assuming that you are single because otherwise youd be spending most on your family. You are lucky to have all the money to spend on yourself. Spend for yourself while you can. It pays to be single. Enjoy your life while you still can. Your 15% savings would be enough to help you through emergency situations. Have a great day! Thanks for your response.
@butterfly101 (54)
• United States
26 Jun 07
oh wow! I would have to admit I am a spender. I want to be a saver so bad. It is so hard for me. I try to be a smart shopper with the money I have but I am still most likely to spend it fast. Money i put back to save , usually I dig it out...something comes up or i just use it. It bugs me so bad. My husband is a spender too so it doesn't help much at all! I wish one of us was a saver. It would really help.
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
I cant imagine the financial situation of your family but if youre happy then i dont think it matters much. Its just that if you can control yourself from spending and saving a little, you could probably enjoy more like going out on vacations more often. But if you can do that while spending a lot, then, no problem. Thanks for you reply.
@yryna_yry (49)
• Romania
26 Jun 07
if i use my parents money i'm a saver but if i use my own money i'm a spender.i know it sounds strange but that's me...for the moment at least.
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
it does sound strange but thats how you spend so well just accept that. As long as you can survive and youre enjoying your life, thats fine. Have a great day! Thanks for your response.
@cabergren (1181)
• United States
26 Jun 07
I am definitely a saver. I am the one always using coupons and finding the deals on things. I think it is a good thing. It leaves with extra money to save and invest. I do like to spend money, but I just really watch what it spend it on.
@fengbo (731)
• China
26 Jun 07
Hi mermaid911,i want to become a spender but i don't have enough money,it was so sadness,lol.........
Sometimes i think i am a saver people,i cannot using money very fast.I am a student now,i don't eran money by myself,my all cost of living by my parents,they are all worker,they don't earn much money evrey year,so i just keep saver in the university.But i think if someone is a saver or spender is judge by they ability,if they earn much money very year,also they have this competency to using money...but if you cannot earn much money,so i think you'd better be become a saver.you cannot spend so many time to earn a lot of money.what do you think of?
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
You can still save even if youre a student. I think the more you have to save because youre not earning your own money yet. But that is also the time when you want to buy more things. I understand that you still want to spend money at this time. But the important thing is that you know the principle and maybe in time you would be able to control yourself. Good luck. Thanks for replying.
@sreeraj_9 (67)
• India
26 Jun 07
hi,
i think we must save money so that they help in future for any purpose.if we spend we don`t know the value of money.each paise is very important as time.try to save money and donate to others asit is helpful..
@kringkles (51)
• Philippines
26 Jun 07
I am a spender!!! I'm not proud of it though. I don't know how to save my money, I've got serious spending problems. It's just that sometimes my earnings is not enough to provide the things I want. I'm the eldest in the family and when my brothers ask for treats like cinema, arcade, food.. etc it's hard to say NO... I always think that I am working so I can help out my parent from my brothers wants. Now I'm suffering from them but I'm not regretful, as long as they're happy I'm happy too.
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
Its nice to help other people and I'm sure they will be thankful to you for these things. You just have to learn to put limitations so that they wont abuse you also. Plus you have to earn for yourself as well. Wouldn't it feel good to have some money ready when you need it? Thanks for your response.
@Illinois_shy_girl (123)
• United States
26 Jun 07
It depends for me .If there something that I want I will save every extra cent that I have. If everything is good and bills are paid I will splurge on things for myself or the kids. I guess if I had to say one or the other I'd say spender.
@mermaid911 (798)
• Philippines
27 Jun 07
Thats ok. At least you know how to save when you need something. Thanks for replying.
