A Horse, a Horse, My Kingdom For a Horse . . .
November 16, 2009 | Posted by DDFD That’s Shakespeare, Richard III to be exact. Sometimes you can have everything, but not the right thing, at the right time. I think of that line quite a bit lately, as I hear people complain they don’t have cash.
These same people have over-sized houses, high-end autos, big screen TVs, and jumbo expenses that they can’t cover (Have You Noticed the Giant Toy Sale Going on Lately?). These same people looked at me funny when I explained about a year ago that I was looking for more ways to cut or limit expenses.
They don’t understand why I would want to pay a car note off (Capture Your Dream Car), why I got rid of my landline, the reasons I like to do as much as I can myself, and the reasons I am so hellbent on self-sufficiency. They are starting to understand now . . .
Many of them are struggling to meet their over-sized monthly nuts. They are starting to turn to me for advice, but it is hard to help them, because they are underwater on their loans and now isn’t the time to sell.
Many of my views and ways of doing things are quite fashionable now. My ex and her family used to laugh at my desire to put the cheapest gas in my car 20 years ago. I understand from my kids that they are very aware of cheap gas in their town now– I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. I also understand that a place I shopped at and was ridiculed for is now a common destination in that household. That household was the inspiration for one of my favorite posts, Spendthrift Manor and Frugal Homestead. Apparently, my approaches aren’t so funny anymore.
Things are certainly changing . . . aren’t they?
Morale of this post is twofold: Set your priorities right and have what you really need, when you really need it.
This post originally appeared on DivorcedDadFrugalDad.com, here is the link to the original post, A Horse, a Horse, My Kingdom For a Horse . . .
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DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom. He is dedicated to living a quality life through Frugality, personal growth, development, and productivity, and Defensive Entrepreneurship. On weekends, he can be found in front of the BBQ grill.
Categories: frugal living | 
Tags: frugal living, self reliance, self sufficiency | 
2 Comments »
I must disagree with you on cheap gas. When you buy cheap gas you run several risks. Since the gas does not burn as cleanly (cheap gas has no cleaning additives or performance enhancers), it will leave deposits on your engine valves which can reduce engine performance and reduce your overall gas mileage. You could actually end up spending more on the cheap gas, because your car will get fewer miles to the gallon and you will need to buy more of it. You also risk premature engine failure because of the strain that sludge and deposits put on an engine.
Lee,
First, thanks for your comment.
Second, I think we need to define our terms and perspectives– “cheapest”, in my book, is based upon price, while in your book, it is based upon quality. Let’s assume that Exxon/Mobil is the “best” quality gasoline. In one town it retails (at Exxon/Mobil) for $2.74/gallon and in the next town over, it retails (at Exxon/Mobil) for $2.69/gallon. Where should I buy that commodity, I mean, gasoline?
Finally, I wouldn’t be too quick to buy into the Madison Avenue spin on quality distinctions on consumer commodities. My favorite example is the way Frank Purdue differentiated chicken and charged several cents more per pound, before Frank– chicken was chicken. I am not saying distinctions don’t exist– just be very careful not to accept them outright. Personally, I prefer to add my own gas cleansers and treatments directly, and I do so regularly.
-DDFD