How important is it to you to keep up with a certain standard of living?

Contributor: js250 js250
I see many people that work themselves to the bone trying to keep up appearances and live up to a specific standard of life. I have never been very social conscious and find myself not caring much what others have...just caring what I am happy living with. My standards are a bit different than my friends, I find myself being content with much less and having peace than I am with 'things'.

So, let us know about your opinion and standard of life. How do you think this will change in the future?
04/29/2013
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Contributor: Gary Gary
I would say pretty much zero for me. I think the only thing I really couldn't live with out at this point might be AC in the summer. Ha! I have always been focused on music and projects, my lifestyle was never even a thing. I have lived in abandoned buildings, attics, basements, warehouses & I slept directly on the floor with a few blankets my entire adult life until I got together with my wife.
04/29/2013
Contributor: Jaimes Jaimes
In terms of importance, I'm pretty basic. A roof over my head, food in my pup's tummies, and hopefully just enough for my husband and I. Everything else is just a perk.

I get pretty frustrated with people who I feel don't understand the true difference between want and need. There are few things I NEED, there are plenty of things I may want, but I loathe the idea of living beyond my means, or living on the backs of others. I may seem poor to the materialist out there, but I am rich in my heart and mind. I'm okay with sticking by that.
04/29/2013
Contributor: dancingduo dancingduo
Standard of living is important. I don't care about the neighbors or what they have but--I work hard and I want to be able to have nice things. The issue comes when you put the pursuit of these nice things above your family and values.

I live a pretty simple life, but I love luxurious things. What I buy is never a status thing but it has to serve a practical purpose.
04/29/2013
Contributor: ShadowedSeductress ShadowedSeductress
I kind of agree with dangingduo. My partner and I try to maintain a certain standard of living. Food for our animals and us and some spending money to do thing and get the things we want. We both enjoy having nice things.

We're really proud of where we are in life. We're both 20 and pay our bills. We're proud to have been able to buy our electronics, a new couch, clothes, our toys, and most recently a new laptop after having my old one for 8 years. It has nothing to do with keeping up with others though. We struggled when I wasn't working and had a little help then. Of course we didn't buy the "fun" stuff like we do now.

Our little does come before the extras though!
04/29/2013
Contributor: rosythorn rosythorn
Quote:
Originally posted by dancingduo
Standard of living is important. I don't care about the neighbors or what they have but--I work hard and I want to be able to have nice things. The issue comes when you put the pursuit of these nice things above your family and values. ... more
Yep, I am not a status buyer, but I do like living up to my own standard of living.
04/29/2013
Contributor: wicked48 wicked48
As long as I am able to pay my bills and live comfortably, I'm happy. Having a lot of 'things' isn't important.
04/29/2013
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
I don't really care what others think, but I think I do keep up with a personal standard of living.
04/29/2013
Contributor: spiced spiced
I grew up fairly poor and I've been all over the map as an adult. Lately, it's been awesome, but the world won't end if we have to live with less again.
04/29/2013
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Quote:
Originally posted by spiced
I grew up fairly poor and I've been all over the map as an adult. Lately, it's been awesome, but the world won't end if we have to live with less again.
Same here - except being unemployed now I'm getting to test the theory of being happy with less. Frankly I'm not digging it - but I'm willing to make less than before to have less stress and a little more free time.
04/30/2013
Contributor: bayosgirl bayosgirl
As in living in one of the safer/newer apartment complexes in town, VERY important. You couldn't PAY me to go back to where my husband was living before and shortly after we married. Just awful. Other than that, I don't care. Most of our furniture we found out by the trash (no stains, rips, or anything--people around here dump good stuff!) We drive '93 and '02 Hondas. Status isn't important to me, but I work way too hard to come home to some old dump, where there are shootings every other week.. no thanks.
04/30/2013
Contributor: spiced spiced
Quote:
Originally posted by Gunsmoke
Same here - except being unemployed now I'm getting to test the theory of being happy with less. Frankly I'm not digging it - but I'm willing to make less than before to have less stress and a little more free time.
I hope you find something good, and that it doesn't take long to find. Less stress and more free time sounds GREAT.

Our income has gone down somewhat over the past couple of years. My business has suffered because of the economic situation. We've cut back on a number of things, and it's never any fun at first. But some of the changes (fewer TV options, driving less) have had unexpected positive benefits, too. I hope you also find some silver linings.
04/30/2013
Contributor: SourAppleMartini SourAppleMartini
My standards are high and the fact that I can't keep up with them at the moment depresses me.
05/04/2013
Contributor: HoneyBear69 HoneyBear69
not sooo important
05/05/2013
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
"Money can't buy happiness, but it sure as hell can keep the utilities on, the rent paid, and food on the table so you're able to pursue the happiness without stress."
05/05/2013
Contributor: babyrock babyrock
i more about the quality of life, regardless of standard. i know i am happiest on a desert island with basic shelter, plumbing, and electricity. a/c would be a nice touch though.
05/13/2013