Living in austerity = bad?

[JEDI]

Austerity- refraining from material pleasures

I was reading a self help webpage (cant find link, so i'm paraphasing):

"Bad thing you're doing to yourself-> not enjoying the fruits of your labor (ie: not rewarding yourself) and living in austerity"

I read it as buy something to make you feel better? if so, i'm glad i dont remember much from the website.

if not, then what's your interpretation?

 

[nonameo]

Well gee, it all depends on how you view your efforts.

Do you labor first, and then decide what to do with it?

OR:

Do you have a need, and then decide to labor to solve that problem?

I need money to pay rent and buy food, etc... therefore I labor. If I don't particularly like laboring, I'll want to buy less sh!t so I don't have to labor as much. If I have to labor as a matter of circumstance, I'll save the extra earnings so I can work less later.

As a note, buying crap doesn't make me feel better. Spending time with friends and family, doing things I like to do, those are things that make me feel good.

Besides, garage sale hunting is fun

 

[JEDI]

bump for morning crowd

 

[Lola]

I don't think it is bad or good, just a choice of lifestyle.

I think a majority of folks take to much "comfort" and pleasure in material things but everyone has their own wants and desires.
I do not think we should obstain from making ourselves happy. Whether that means going on vacation, buying a new TV, or doing yoga or volunteering... Why not enjoy life while we are here?

If you are living that type of lifestyle for personal reasons and that makes you happy, fine... but if you are doing it to seem pious to others then it is bad.

 

[skyking]

The old adage "if it makes you happy" holds true. Buying the latest HDTV or a new car does not do it for me, but that was how I was raised. I like making my own things, creating cool stuff. I can't wait to build the next house, that will make me happy.

 

[K1052]

Not good or bad, merely a matter of personal choice.

I make good money and I chose to spend it on various material and non-material pursuits. I see no reason to hoard it all (outside of retirement planning). I know a few absolute chepasses that make serious money who live in rather austere conditions. I simply don't see the point of it, all that money is useless when you are dead so why not try to enjoy life a little while here?