Are we all spoiled? Can and should we live frugally?

Yes, Americans in general are spoiled. We have to have the latest and greatest gadgets before anyone else. It really is so superficial and unnecessary. The rest of the world lives far more simply than we do. We just have too much stuff and we can't wait to accumulate even more.

some more than others

yes

Not everyone is spoiled. Some people in America are far from spoiled. I don't really know about the rest of the world. However, Americans are a lot more well off than in other third world countries. I wouldn't say living frugally is the key. I would say being grateful for what you have is good enough.

yes, but we uually dont

Me and my wife budget our money very well...hence a very nice bank account.

I believe everyone should live within there means.

I am spoiled by my Father in Heaven. Always have been.

Yup and idc

You want one answer to 2 questions?!? Many, if not most, Americans have been spoiled by gaining affluence too easily...but not "all". A minimalist/ascetic approach to happiness must be learned, so I wouldn't say everyone "should" or "could" be at that level of understanding. Without "understanding" a "waste-not" approach to life won't endure.

But, we usually do not. That is human nature.

We are spoiled, but we can live frugally. All it takes is discipline!

Absolutely. Just by having a computer we have it so much better then others.

agree

very spoiled---as long as we have the cash to pay for things as well as money saved it's fine

Yes, we should live frugally, but for the benefit of mankind and our planet, not for the economy. Ironically, our warped economic system requires people to spend with abandon so that other people can simply have jobs to feed their family. When all people live frugally, the economy crashes and we get a recession. The entire system is unsustainable.

agree

much wants MORE!!!!!

Yes we are all the spoiled rotten fruit , byproducts and kids of Adam & Eve who had it all until they stole from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Most people I run across, use their revolving credit lines as if they were extra money in the bank. I don't. "Neither a borrower nor a lender be/For loan oft loses loan as well as friend/And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry." I never carry revolving balances. I pay off all balances in full. Which is partly why I still carry a 1X cellphone, and not a 4G-LTE Smartphone.

agree

The wealth in the USA is astronomically more than most of the rest of the world. We have so many more sources at our disposal, yet still clamor for more. The basic concept of spend less than you earn doesn't seem to be grasped by many in this society. Yes, we should live with more frugality.

agree

I don't feel spoiled at all. My kids aren't either. My daughter DOES have a cell phone, but it's basic and she doesn't run up the bill. I'm a single mom and I have to be able to reach her.

I did have an expensive lunch yesterday, but it's the exception. Not the rule.

if cap fits wear it if not disregard

For sure! We just had a city in our state go bankrupt, partially because their workers are retiring at 50 with pensions over $100,000/year.

same here

I think we are getting to a point where living frugally is absolutely necessary.

I do. I had to downsize after the passing of my Dad. I do not like spending more than I have too

America is a nation of excess. We once did live in a frugal manner, only purchasing what we could afford at that moment. There was no credit. Then in the 1980's a strong middle class began purchasing large amounts on 'credit'. The view in that era was more is better, and even today that still is practiced. The biggest problem one can see is that our children grow up in this environment. They do not see what it takes togain such items, only that they exist. The kids do not know hard work, most sitting inside smoking their dope, playing their free XBox, talking back to their parents demanding "respect" that they are not old enough to have earned. Can we live Frugal? I do not know that is an individual choice. Should we? Absolutely, it actually allows your life to be better.

I am totally spoiled and I do live frugally. If I want something I save for it.
My home cost less than our 1 years salary and it's only 6 years old. (got a foreclosed home and fixed it up)
Cars are paid for.
My wife's college loan is paid for.

We do pay a lot for cell phones, internet and cable TV.

Thank you but I learned from doing all the wrong things in the past. I was lucky enough to have a good job to mitigate the losses from my stupidity.

Yesh, we are spoiled in the land of instant gratification.

right

Can't speak for anyone else, but I live frugally and am still spoiled to some extent.

i can live more frugally but i don't want the government telling how i should live

Look at what the "poor" receive - highest quality smart phones (I cannot afford one - but I work), cash cards, food cards, housing assistance and pay for every kiddo - Hell, why be frugal when you work for a living, just going to be taken for those who don't

Just an opinion sister - I gave up the whole walk on water deal the first time I tried it - I am a good swimmer