Being “Financially Sound”
In my last post, Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour, one reader left this comment that I’d like to address.
1) I don’t “like to buy lots of stuff.” I buy what I need when I need it. Sometimes I like buying things that aren’t considered necessities (like this ticket), but so what? If it fits into my budget, I can justify it as something that will be worth the money, and I can afford it – well I don’t see a problem in that. For example, I am on a 6-month shopping ban right now and I’m almost done. Then starting in January I’m starting a 10-month shopping ban. Sometimes I make mistakes in my spending, but nobody’s perfect. I’m doing the best I can, and I think I’m doing a decent job.
2) I don’t claim that I know anything about finances. I write about my personal experiences with money, and I share my ideas in the hopes of learning more and generating discussion. I don’t market myself as a financial guru, because I know I’m not. What I do know is that everybody handles their finances differently. People value and spend money on different things. That’s what makes money so interesting. And just because YOU wouldn’t spend money to see a Cirque du Soleil show, doesn’t make someone who would any less financially sound than you. Being financially sound means having a balance between saving and spending, and knowing how to make these kinds of decisions – all while saving enough money and staying debt-free.
39 Responses to “Being “Financially Sound””
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Saving isnt the only part of finances. Spending is part of it too. If all you wrote about was saving, people would be like "this is so boring" and move on to the next blog! I think your blog is great.
P.s. my favourite was the person who called it a "Michael jackson concert" ummm…clearly this person has never heard of cirque du soleil.
My recent post Blog Im Reading Lately
Saving isnt the only part of finances. Spending is part of it too. If all you wrote about was saving, people would be like “this is so boring” and move on to the next blog! I think your blog is great.
P.s. my favourite was the person who called it a “Michael jackson concert” ummm…clearly this person has never heard of cirque du soleil.
My recent post Blog Im Reading Lately
You know, it's interesting that someone posted that comment, because when I read your blog all I think is, "wow, this girl barely buys anything, and when she does buy something she agonizes over it." I was actually worried about you being able to enjoy the fruits of your financial soundness and being able to just spend money sometime without worrying about whether you should have or not.
No one knows your personal situation but you, and if you never bought anything fun for yourself, this would hardly be an inspirational or relatable blog to read. It would just be that blog by that crazy person who never buys anything like a normal human being. Enjoy that concert!
You know, it's interesting that someone posted that comment, because when I read your blog all I think is, “wow, this girl barely buys anything, and when she does buy something she agonizes over it.” I was actually worried about you being able to enjoy the fruits of your financial soundness and being able to just spend money sometime without worrying about whether you should have or not.
No one knows your personal situation but you, and if you never bought anything fun for yourself, this would hardly be an inspirational or relatable blog to read. It would just be that blog by that crazy person who never buys anything like a normal human being. Enjoy that concert!
Ignore-you're doing a great job and deserve the concert. Really love the blog. Keep up the great work.
Ignore-you're doing a great job and deserve the concert. Really love the blog. Keep up the great work.
I have never understood why people leave snarky comments like that…
If you don't agree with someone that someone is doing there's a way to say that without being a d-bag, and if you can't be nice then just don't say anything at all. argh!
I agree with Allison, I always have the impression that you think about every purchase very carefully and you only buy things that work with your budget.
I love your blog and I think you do an awesome job at balancing saving vs. shopping for wants or needs.
I have never understood why people leave snarky comments like that…
If you don't agree with someone that someone is doing there's a way to say that without being a d-bag, and if you can't be nice then just don't say anything at all. argh!
I agree with Allison, I always have the impression that you think about every purchase very carefully and you only buy things that work with your budget.
I love your blog and I think you do an awesome job at balancing saving vs. shopping for wants or needs.
The ‘bigger’ you get as a blogger the more the spamalots will come out – just ignore them! You have inspired a huge volume of conversation around personal finance – I can’t imagine how many people have started PF blogs after following yours (I’m one of them).
My recent post Do You Netflix
The ‘bigger’ you get as a blogger the more the spamalots will come out – just ignore them! You have inspired a huge volume of conversation around personal finance – I can’t imagine how many people have started PF blogs after following yours (I’m one of them).
My recent post Do You Netflix
This is why I call my blog a lifestyle blog :)
This is why I call my blog a lifestyle blog :)
Wow. People really like to harp on you Krystal. And I never understand why. I totally struggle with managing my finances and figure that I am just someone bad at saving. But I’ve been reading your blog for almost three years now and your story and your blog keep me motivated and have helped me see that anyone can pull themselves out of debt and find ways to become financially independent. Your story always gives me hope and I admire that you are brave enough to share your downfalls so that others can learn from your accomplishments. So everyone else can just chill out. If this isn’t the blog for them so be it. There are MANY of us out there who appreciate and benefit from Krystal’s updates.
Side note – I don’t think the show is a bad investment. Here in Toronto, people have been lining up for it and they have had to add another show. Plus, I hear the tickets are selling like hotcakes on Craigslist – up to $300 last time I checked.
Wow. People really like to harp on you Krystal. And I never understand why. I totally struggle with managing my finances and figure that I am just someone bad at saving. But I’ve been reading your blog for almost three years now and your story and your blog keep me motivated and have helped me see that anyone can pull themselves out of debt and find ways to become financially independent. Your story always gives me hope and I admire that you are brave enough to share your downfalls so that others can learn from your accomplishments. So everyone else can just chill out. If this isn’t the blog for them so be it. There are MANY of us out there who appreciate and benefit from Krystal’s updates.
Side note – I don’t think the show is a bad investment. Here in Toronto, people have been lining up for it and they have had to add another show. Plus, I hear the tickets are selling like hotcakes on Craigslist – up to $300 last time I checked.
First off, you're awesome. You're a regular PF blogger who's inspired many to put on a brave face and expose their financial situations to the world. You even came out and revealed your true identity!
Secondly, people tend to hold us PF bloggers to higher standards (for some reason), so when we slip up or do something that appears to go against our overall "frugal living" goals, they jump all over it. Rhetorically speaking, they're commenting on one tiny part of a huge whole of financial picture, without looking at the whole picture. This is something I pick on my students in my college comp classes for, and I call it "making a presumption without understanding the full context of" whatever they're writing about.
Also, I wonder why they also don't comment on the fact that you spend your money on vacations, driving a car, and etc. If they're going to critique you for spending money, why stop at Cirque? You've got a great point – everyone has different goals for their financial well-being, as well as different priorities with their spending. You're going to have a great time and enjoy the investment, much like "George" up there might enjoy a rock concert or art museum exhibit or whatever!
Here's my last thought: Let us see "George" make a list of things he likes to do that are outside of his normal spending, then we can critique his every move, telling him he could be spending his money on so much better/more worthwhile things. Checkmate!
First off, you're awesome. You're a regular PF blogger who's inspired many to put on a brave face and expose their financial situations to the world. You even came out and revealed your true identity!
Secondly, people tend to hold us PF bloggers to higher standards (for some reason), so when we slip up or do something that appears to go against our overall “frugal living” goals, they jump all over it. Rhetorically speaking, they're commenting on one tiny part of a huge whole of financial picture, without looking at the whole picture. This is something I pick on my students in my college comp classes for, and I call it “making a presumption without understanding the full context of” whatever they're writing about.
Also, I wonder why they also don't comment on the fact that you spend your money on vacations, driving a car, and etc. If they're going to critique you for spending money, why stop at Cirque? You've got a great point – everyone has different goals for their financial well-being, as well as different priorities with their spending. You're going to have a great time and enjoy the investment, much like “George” up there might enjoy a rock concert or art museum exhibit or whatever!
Here's my last thought: Let us see “George” make a list of things he likes to do that are outside of his normal spending, then we can critique his every move, telling him he could be spending his money on so much better/more worthwhile things. Checkmate!
Wow seriously. Just because you have a personal finance blog, you can't splurge once in a while?
My recent post Why I Workout
Wow seriously. Just because you have a personal finance blog, you can't splurge once in a while?
My recent post Why I Workout
You've inspired me to write my blog as well! I think it's all about BALANCE! As long as you are going in debt by making the purchase, or touching your emergency funds, or interfere with you saving agenda, by all means, splurge!
My recent post Seafood Feast & Friends
You've inspired me to write my blog as well! I think it's all about BALANCE! As long as you are going in debt by making the purchase, or touching your emergency funds, or interfere with you saving agenda, by all means, splurge!
My recent post Seafood Feast & Friends
I read this comment yesterday and hoped you'd have something to say about it… good post!
I read this comment yesterday and hoped you'd have something to say about it… good post!
I think your blog is great!!! I read it everytime you write and think WOW you can spend and still save!!
I think your blog is great!!! I read it everytime you write and think WOW you can spend and still save!!
You go girlfriend! You know your weekly recaps really show that you don't spend money at all really! People feel they can say whatever they want when it's on the internet, so I say to the nay-sayers you try doing what we do lol :)
You go girlfriend! You know your weekly recaps really show that you don't spend money at all really! People feel they can say whatever they want when it's on the internet, so I say to the nay-sayers you try doing what we do lol :)
They’re just jealous. What’s the point of saving money if you’re not going to enjoy life every now and then? You work, you pay your taxes, you don’t have any outrageous debt, and you don’t have any kids to support. Is it really that wrong to splurge a little?
They’re just jealous. What’s the point of saving money if you’re not going to enjoy life every now and then? You work, you pay your taxes, you don’t have any outrageous debt, and you don’t have any kids to support. Is it really that wrong to splurge a little?
GAH! I hate idiotic commenters like that.
The first mean trolling comment I ever got was in response to my birthday recap post …last year I think?
I had never been to the casino, and it was my first time. Took $20, came out having broken even. Tons of fun!
Someone wrote in saying how stupid gambling is, how it was the dumbest thing he'd ever read on a PF blog, bla bla bla.
I replied (I wouldn't bother today, but I decided to respond then) saying I wasn't in debt, this wasn't breaking the budget, I wasn't going to spiral into a gambling addiction and I didn't see it as being anymore wasteful than going out and buying a cocktail at a city bar. Especially seeing as I didn't end up spending anything, and entertained myself for a lot longer than that drink would have lasted.
My recent post Car hunting- Things to look out for
GAH! I hate idiotic commenters like that.
The first mean trolling comment I ever got was in response to my birthday recap post …last year I think?
I had never been to the casino, and it was my first time. Took $20, came out having broken even. Tons of fun!
Someone wrote in saying how stupid gambling is, how it was the dumbest thing he'd ever read on a PF blog, bla bla bla.
I replied (I wouldn't bother today, but I decided to respond then) saying I wasn't in debt, this wasn't breaking the budget, I wasn't going to spiral into a gambling addiction and I didn't see it as being anymore wasteful than going out and buying a cocktail at a city bar. Especially seeing as I didn't end up spending anything, and entertained myself for a lot longer than that drink would have lasted.
My recent post Car hunting- Things to look out for
@eemusings- I saw that post! So what if someone wants to talk about gambling. It's their blog, really. Anyone who blogs can even talk about how they had a lovely crap in the toilet and saved 2 squares of toilet paper lol and those nay sayers can't/ shouldn't really say anything. Perhaps nay sayers should start their own blog. :)
@eemusings- I saw that post! So what if someone wants to talk about gambling. It's their blog, really. Anyone who blogs can even talk about how they had a lovely crap in the toilet and saved 2 squares of toilet paper lol and those nay sayers can't/ shouldn't really say anything. Perhaps nay sayers should start their own blog. :)
it's all about balance – you're supposed to have fun in life too.
anyway, if people dont' understand what this blog is about, they should move on. clearly not your demographic.
i'm really enjoying your blog! (and your moneyville posts!)
My recent post Movember!
it's all about balance – you're supposed to have fun in life too.
anyway, if people dont' understand what this blog is about, they should move on. clearly not your demographic.
i'm really enjoying your blog! (and your moneyville posts!)
My recent post Movember!
[...] Being financially sound by Give Me Back My Five Bucks (this is from a month ago, but criticism of PF blogger spending is all too common given our voluntary public display of our finances — my friends are being just a tad to liberal with their criticisms of me this week, and I won’t lie, it’s totally annoying the shit out of me — and I think it’s important to acknowledge and defend our “frivolous” choices, even if we really shouldn’t have to). [...]
Haha come on now though, let's be realistic.
Look at your networth the past years. That tells the tale right there.
Sure, when you were in debt you got on the right track and rocketed up the networth too. But since then, networth has basically plateaued. Might be time to look where all that money's going.
Or not. Spend away! Lol
From January 2008 until the present, my networth has grown by $20k. In that time I have encountered 2 bouts of unemployment, moved 3 times, gotten into a major car crash, and have been supporting BF and I on just my income for the past 9 months. Sure, my networth hasn't grown as fast as it had been when I was getting out of debt – but if you knew how I got myself out of debt I think you would realize that it wasn't a sustainable lifestyle. I was working 2 FT and 1 PT job at the same time in order to get out of debt. I think it's rude to make a comment like that considering all you probably did to come to that conclusion was take a look at my networth box on my sidebar. If you take the time to understand where I have come from, perhaps you wouldn't be so quick to make judgement. Or maybe you would, because that's what internet trolls do. Put your networth up there for the world to judge, and let's see how you do.
Haha come on now though, let's be realistic.
Look at your networth the past years. That tells the tale right there.
Sure, when you were in debt you got on the right track and rocketed up the networth too. But since then, networth has basically plateaued. Might be time to look where all that money's going.
Or not. Spend away! Lol
From January 2008 until the present, my networth has grown by $20k. In that time I have encountered 2 bouts of unemployment, moved 3 times, gotten into a major car crash, and have been supporting BF and I on just my income for the past 9 months. Sure, my networth hasn't grown as fast as it had been when I was getting out of debt – but if you knew how I got myself out of debt I think you would realize that it wasn't a sustainable lifestyle. I was working 2 FT and 1 PT job at the same time in order to get out of debt. I think it's rude to make a comment like that considering all you probably did to come to that conclusion was take a look at my networth box on my sidebar. If you take the time to understand where I have come from, perhaps you wouldn't be so quick to make judgement. Or maybe you would, because that's what internet trolls do. Put your networth up there for the world to judge, and let's see how you do.