Good balanced reponse Mike.. It varies widely. Mish always misses that I say my 'personal experience' Yeah travel, energy, bubble market housing, RE taxes, insurance, medical, education aren't everything but unless you live a very frugal lifestyle in a nonbubble market it impacts you.
Have you seen how much airline fares have gone up so far this year?
I am not sure I live a frugal life style. We buy prime rib and crab when they are on sale, we eat well (probaby too well), and we spluge on rounds of golf in the summer (at cheaper courses or via ticket book of course), and I spend a lot of money on plants for the garden. We take a couple of reasonably nice vacations a year (but I have to admit that one of them is likely to be camping). My wife is going to take a trip to Italy this summer with a friend.
Maybe frugal is the word since we seldom eat out any more, nor do we drive fancy cars. I have a Hyundai Elantra a new 2005 model that I got last year for $10,500 paid off in cash. So compared to a $40,000 hummer that may be "frugal" or it may simply be smart.
But anyone complaining about restuarant prices or the price of insurance for a hummer is likely to get no sympathy from me. Nor is anyone living in Florida or the hurricane zone going to get any sympathy from me either. If price of eating out is too expensive the stop eating out. If a hummer is too expensive then you do not need one. There is frugality and there is common sense.
Oh, I almost forgot....Our house is 3400 square feet, on 1 acre with 20+ huge 150-200 yr old oak trees on it and gorgeous views out nearly every window. 4 bedrooms (one serves as my office - the one with the best views), marble bathroom, finished basement, granite countertops, 4 bathrooms + a powder room, etc etc. That is not exactly frugal for a grand total of 2 people that live here. I will be very pleased when it is paid off. Hopefully 6-7 years from now.
Mish |
