March 23, 2006

Pinings: The simple life
by Sherry Hughes sah103@hotmail.com

Dear Pinings,
I’d really like to do some things to get my life in order. Right now, I don’t make much money … but I do like my job. The thing is, I’ve seen my parents really struggle to make a living and I don’t want to go down that same path.

I’m not materialistic but I want to own a home and have a decent car. I love to travel. And I don’t want to spend my life in debt.

I’ve made some decisions that make my friends think I’m crazy. I don’t date men who don’t have good jobs. I figure it’s just as easy to marry a rich man as a poor man. I put as much money as I can in the bank every month and save money wherever I can on clothes and food. They criticize me because I bring a coffee from home to work rather than buying one at the coffee shop. And on the weekends, I rarely pay a $15 cover to go to a club. I’d rather rent a movie and have a potluck. I feel as if I’m doing what’s right for my future. They call me cheap and a penny pincher.

Should I just loosen the reins and start living a little? I’m 27.
Not-so Cheap Date

Dear Not,
I think you are smarter than many of your friends. You have goals and dreams and you are sacrificing in order to have them. I agree with everything you are doing to save money. I hope, though, that you won’t limit yourself where love is concerned. Rich isn’t a quality I’d be looking for. I’d be looking along the lines of kind, secure, generous, funny, engaging, smart, loyal, honest. After all, do you want a rich guy who treats you like dirt? Sure, you’d have a decent car and a nice home … but you’d be living in hell.
Oh, and a trip to Starbucks once a month can’t hurt.

Sherry Hughes welcomes letters from readers at sah103@hotmail.com

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