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Tightwad Treasures
by Nikki Willhite
www.allthingsfrugal.com
I read a statement awhile ago that really bothered me. To paraphrase, what it said was that "everyone knows that
tightwads are miserable, unhappy people".
I found this remark to be
extremely offensive. It is just another way our society gives us messages that
are destructive to our families and our personal finances.
Why should it be wrong to be conservative with your money? Is it
more desirable to spend on credit than to save money? Why does our society
applaud the 2 garage, 2 income, 2 vehicle (preferably SUV's), heavily mortgaged,
and consumer indebted family? What is so admirable about that?
What is the number one cause of divorce? It is money. What does
divorce lead to? Poverty! What forces kids in daycare when it is not wanted?
What takes away choice? Many times it is those SUV's and consumer debt.
I have never heard of a single case of bankruptcy blamed on
being a tightwad! I've never even heard of a divorce caused by someone being too
tight with money, although I am sure there are some extreme cases. The worst
thing most people can say about a tightwad is that they don’t buy everything
desired by those around them, including themselves.
How sad that our society does not value those who try to
constrain their spending. I think we all know that we usually find the money for
that which we really want. There is nothing wrong with that.
You just can’t have everything. If you try, you become a slave to
debt, and that is what leads to problems. That is when you have to make serious
changes in your life to try and turn it around, and breaking habits are not
easy.
I applaud anyone who is able to turn their lives around after
experiencing debt and it’s consequences. It’s not easy.
There are many people who are trying their hardest
to change their lifestyles, trying to get out of debt, or trying to keep out of
debt and save money.
In our society, it’s like pushing a train up a hill. What an
effort it takes. Some are at the bottom of the hill just beginning. Others are
reaching the top, soon to reach level ground where they will have a much easier
time keeping the train on the track and going in the right direction.
I think the problem with the author of the negative statement
about tightwads is that he or she does not know what true happiness is. Perhaps
I should feel pity, nothing else. He can keep his "treasures", and I’ll keep
mine.
My Tightwad Treasures?
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My Family
My Faith
My Freedom...
Freedom of Choice,
Freedom from Debt,
and the freedom to be a
Happy Tightwad!
Who can put a price tag on that?
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