2oldman wrote:
I determined how much to pay for my latest truck on how much I had in cash with a good view to what I really wanted. When I was a much younger working man I drove what I could afford. In my opinion this is how it should be. You hope to have enough money to be comfortable when you retire, when your money works for you.
Editorial comment (caution: may be offensive):
I can't count the number of times I've told someone I'm going to Starbuck's, and they say "I can't justify spending $5 on a cup of coffee." Well, for one thing, it does not cost $5, and, seriously, if you're in your 70s and have to worry about $5, I feel for you. You apparently retired without enough money, or you simply can't let go of your life-long frugal ways. It seems to be a popular topic of conversation among the old: penny-pinching.
It's not penny-pinching, it's called living on a budget. We have done so for the 24 years we've been married, and that budget is part of the reason that we can live mostly as we want to right now. I don't "pinch pennies", but I do think before I spend.
Although I don't drink coffee, I can see the point of questioning $5 a cup, because I remember when my grandmother would order coffee for $.15 with unlimited refills. I also remember $.10 Cokes, and a burger, fries and a shake for $1.00 at Mickey D's. Even though I don't belabor it like some do, I can still see from their point of view.
