As we all know, the economy has been in the pits for a half-decade now, and while the media likes to paint a picture of things generally improving, jobs and confidence remain shaky propositions. In response to unemployment and underemployment of family breadwinners and their adult children, households naturally look for a way to live more frugally.
Blogs and mainstream media articles frequently offer “top ten ways to trim your household budget” and the like. In “The Old Money Book”, I also offer suggestions about how to live better while spending less. An important thing to note, however, is that The Old Money Book offers money-saving suggestions–and strategies–that are really lifestyle choices that generally lead to a more financially secure future.
Simply spending less money will only change your life so much. And if you hop off the consumer merry-go-round that Madison Avenue that most Americans ride on a weekly basis at the local mall entirely, you will be miserable…unless you have other things to fill up your life.
For that reason, I suggest people gradually adopt the overall philosophy of Old Money, applying the fundamentals of it to their individual lives, as thoroughly as they can, as deliberately as they can. I don’t recommend drastic changes. They rarely last. It takes a little time to examine your own life objectively and decide to make changes. But we do it on a regular basis. We evolve, and work to become better human beings. Having a constructive direction and a program to follow helps immensely.
The “Core Values” section of The Old Money Book appears prior to the “How Old Money Does It” section. This is intentional. When you understand the thinking behind a concept, the implementation is easier, more organic, and usually longer lasting.
Have a great week.
BGT
I like your thoughts about the simple life. They remind me of Henry David Thoreau. In the 80s the preppie handbook swept the nation and everyone wanted a piece of that forbidden exclusivity, but it was just that, exclusive. Growing up in California, I assumed it was only available to East Coasters or Stanford students. But you seem to propose that it can be available to everyone, regardless of Alma mater or heritage. But is that really true or are we kidding ourselves? Anyway I commend you for the idea.
Welcome, Nattie. I don’t think it matters where you grow up. I spend time in Southern California, and I see more than a few families committed to Old Money values. It’s not just about khakis and blue blazers, but those definitely help. (Wink, nod.) – BGT