Sometimes feel guilty about spending and sometimes feel guilty about saving
By scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
October 28, 2015 9:53am CST
There are a number of words said and things happened that make me see-saw between guilt for spending money and guilt for saving money.
My good friend's dad just passed away from cancer.
My good friend was feeling guilty about hoarding money. She regretted not bringing her dad to travel round the world.
After the conversation with her, I felt guilty about saving money.
Another dear friend calls to say that her dad has been diagnosed with cancer. The doctor has to do more tests to determine the stage of cancer.
I suggest to hire a full-time maid to take care of her father, since everyone works full time in the family.
She does not have the money to do so. She has not saved much money since she likes to gamble.
Whenever she has cash on hand, she will take cruise to gamble or travel to neighboring country to gamble.
Though she wins more than loses in her gambling, she has a net loss when factors in her travel expenses.
After speaking to her, I feel guilty about spending money.
I know that I have to save up for the sake of my parent, and for the sake of my own retirement.
It really is a dilemma to know when to spend, and when to save.
11 people like this
11 responses
@Marilynda1225 (83103)
• United States
28 Oct 15
Even saving a little bit should be a priority because you'll need a nice little nest egg when you retire.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
28 Oct 15
I have no problem with saving money.
My problem is in spending money when there is no crisis.
If my relative gets cancer, I will not think twice about spending the money to ensure better healthcare, but I will worry that I will not have enough for my own retirement.
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
29 Oct 15
There needs to be a balance between the spending and saving. You should not be miserable now for possible peace in the future.
1 person likes this
@megamatt (14291)
• United States
28 Oct 15
These days, I'm cutting back on my spending habits, for the simple reason, I'd rather have the money back for when I need it. Better to have the money back and not need it, to have nothing back and need it. There's a certain amount of money which "doesn't exist." Some months far less, some months slightly more.
I think one could agree it's all about priorities in the end. Some people are very good, then you have people at the opposite extremes. People who save to the point of depriving themselves and people who use money like it's water. There's surely a happy medium between the two, but finding the sweet spot could be borderline difficult. Guess we just can only do what we can do regarding saving at the end.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
28 Oct 15
When we really need money, it is never enough.
That is the big problem of how much is enough.
As the rate of cancer is so high in my country, I find it surprising that many people still do not have insurance for cancer coverage.
Cancer is costly not just in term of treatment.
We have to go to the hospitals frequently with the patient, and we have to take leaves to do that.
Once we have utilized all our leaves, it will be unpaid leaves.
At the same time, we will feel that we should spend more time and money to bring our loved one for a nice trip overseas before condition deteriorates.
It sure means spending a lot more money than we have budgeted for.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
28 Oct 15
Yes, it is true.
If we spend on ourselves, we will feel guilty.
If we spend on others, we will feel guilty too, though we may feel less guilty.
When a crisis happens, and we do not have enough money, then we will feel very guilty about not saving enough.
1 person likes this
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
29 Oct 15
If you think about everything you have going on we have to save its for a purpose you have to decide whats important and what you need you can do this and plan ahead.
1 person likes this
@sherryeb (580)
• Duncan, Arizona
29 Oct 15
I find that when I save a crisis arrives and it gets used anyway. I have learned to save to spend in times of need. No guilt, just the way my karma rolls.
@marguicha (223795)
• Chile
29 Oct 15
It is important to spend our money with some wisdom. But everyone needs a bit of luxury in their lives. No need to be guilty.
@Missmwngi (12915)
• Nairobi, Kenya
28 Oct 15
It is surely a hard balance to achieve but then again we must find a way. I also get confused sometimes
@ksrsrteja (5)
• Vijayawada, India
29 Oct 15
same with me.I feel of spending extra money sometimes and sometimes i have a feel that i didn't spend enough money.
