emotional issues of spending

[Nankay]

Is there a book/ web site that addresses the emotional issues of spending? For example, I have an acquaintance that grew up very poor. As a result, she will NEVER use hand me downs or any sort of used item for herself or her daughter.

Personally, I have a big one. My mother and mother-in-law died with days of each other at the age of 60 after years of debilitating cancer. For so long I heard, "When we retire we'll travel, do this do that" ..blah blah blah Well..it didn't happen. They waited and waited and they died before doing anything with their family/spouses. I have 2 friends/acquaintances in their late 30's fighting cancer now.

Because of these circumstances, the attitude that I fight is "Why save" Why not spend it now/travel/enjoy it while you can????" The future is too nebulous to plan for something 30 years down the road.

ack..just venting and looking for a book to settle me down.

[MJ13]

I totally understand what you're saying -
on the flip side... I have an emotional issue with saving.

My parents are in their late 40s with no retirement savings. They both know they will have to work until their 70's probably and that scares me to death!

I guess the question is how do you find the happy medium?

:

[rsummer]

My parents are save save save. And my inlaws have spent every dollar they've earned 6 times and I can honestly say that my inlaws have much more fun. But my mom is an emotional wreck if she carries a balance on a CCard, so all things are realative. So save, and use your savings to do fun stuff.

By the way, I know lots of people who are super wierded out by used stuff. I have no idea where it comes from, but it seems kind of silly.

[Semi_Crunchy]

Originally Posted by rsummer

By the way, I know lots of people who are super wierded out by used stuff. I have no idea where it comes from, but it seems kind of silly.

Not to side track completely but I don't understand this either. As soon as you buy something brand new, open it and use it...its used! So whats the difference?

[annethcz]

Suze Orman talks a lot about the links between money and emotion. I don't think any of her books talk about how to go about resolving those issues, they only talk about recognizing the emotions behind your feelings about money. I think the thought is that once you realize WHY you behave in certain ways, it's easier to change the behavior.