Lindsay, this post shows one can be miserable anywhere. Hell, I live in Italy and people abroad think it’s great, because they’ve never been here or they have as tourists, but actually it’s pretty shitty right now.

In fall 2006 after I graduated from college I decided to move to Los Angeles with $2,000 dollars in the bank. I was fortunate to find a job (which doesn’t pay that much) a few months later and sort of was caught in the “LA Scene” where I was constantly trying to “Keep Up with the Joneses.” I would spend literally about 90 percent of my take home pay on clothing, eating out, going to movies, traveling, road trips, buying new gadgets among other things that I realized that I didnt need afterall. I acquired all this “stuff” and felt very unhappy and broke. Suddenly, I sort of woke and grew up and started to think about the long term future, but more importantly; about financial security. As I reflected back on my over spending and super consuming habits, I learned that I wasted so much money on things that I didnt need, and I was trying to live someone else’s life. I was not honest with myself and who I am. I wanted people to like me and want to be around me. All this was just a deception – pretending to be someoneone else that I was not.

So I made a promise to myself that I would not lie to myself anyone and take control of my life. After two and half years (as of today, March 30th 2010), I achieved many of my goals and is looking forward to accomplishing more in the future. I now become a over saver – I feel like I have to make it up for the years that I been over spending. I turn 26 years old next month and have saved up over $40,000 of liquid cash. I have no consumer debts, no student’s loans. I don’t even own an Ipod anymore…

Like those who have mentioned earlier in their response post, I have intentionally deprived myself from a lot of things and wants in life. I’m obssessed with saving money everyway I can. But when health and personal hygiene are concerned, I’m always on top of these since I work for an entertainment media company and came from a fitness and health family background.

I also learned that one of my strenghts and passion is in fitness and health. This past month, I purchased a bike and decided to bike to work and everywhere else. I usually bike about 20 miles each day, Monday to Friday to work and bike home. For me biking has become theraputic for me. You might be wondering, I still have my car (which is parked at home). I used it for emergencies or when a friend needs a ride.

Through this self-discovery and learning about myself and who I am, I came to realize that I’m contend for what I have but never is stagnant and or complacement. I also learned that doing what you love is freedom and freedom is happiness.

I’ve been reading this blog for awhile, and there is definitely a heavy emphasis on curbing compulsive spending habits (as there should be, it’s a serious problem) but every time I see something that addresses compulsive SAVING, I sit up and take note.

It is very true that money is a means to an end, and the most important thing is HAPPINESS! One tip that I’ve learned is that once I figure out my budget, I have a set amount for “disposable income”. I take this out of the bank every payday, and I am allowed to spend that on WHATEVER I WANT – no matter how frivolous. I’m not allowed to feel guilty! Because I am CERTAIN that the amount is within my safety zone, I feel safe, and the little luxuries are nice

Thanks again, and congratulations on your escape!

As always, balance is what is important in life. It is rare to hear about people saving “less” and have it be a positive story. Thanks for sharing!

Chipmunk, well done. Thanks, too. My challenge is to spend out on optometry, not dentistry. Scary money but why am I saving anyway?

I am very glad you are feeling better in your new situation.

Of course I married someone with no financial understanding with about $12,000 in debt, immediatly paid it off, and we have been saving $2000/month for years, and also maxing Roth IRAs, etc. Now I realize that money in the bank is not by itself making me happy. I don’t like my job or even my career field even though it is high paying; I’ve developed stress related health problems and I’m generally unhappy.

We are coming up on a major change – I am getting laid off and we are moving to Oregon (from NC) for my husband’s post-doc, which pays 20% less than I am making now and will cost us $600/month for health insurance.

The moving costs are only being partially paid and I actually had a bad anxiety attack the other day about how much it is going to cost to move. I’m starting to realize that all our money saving is exactly for this situation – to spend it when we need it and to make our lives easier. I am going to take time off working and explore the field I really want to pursue, even though it will only pay half what I make now – but I care more about being happy and the money alone isn’t doing it for me.

I know it can seem strange to people with the opposite problem of mountains of debt, but being obsessed with making and saving money no matter what the cost to your health and hapiness can be incredibly destructive and is a problem that needs to be addressed – and it is not easy.

Not sure what your husbands treatments are, but I got a lot of good information about psoriasis from: http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Psoriasis-Alternative-John-Pagano/dp/0962884707

For your anxiety, Amy Furbee has an excellent website called The Hatched Egg. Lot’s of helpful advice. The site is thehatchedegg.com.
She’s very sweet and offers great advice and encouragement.

Thank you JD for posting this.