CARPE DIEM !!!!!
Personally I despise tightwads - maybe as I am a Lord of profligacy.

Ive earnt a 6 figure salary for the last 8 years.

I rent my home

I have no pension

I have no savings

I owe the taxman quite a bit (5 figures or so)

but

I have no loans or credit cards

I spend 6 weeks of every year on holiday (recents were skiing in aspen and diving in the maldives)

Ive been to over 60 countries round the world

I eat at michelin starred restaurants on a regular basis, and cook to that kind of standard myself - as I know quite a bit about it now

I have a porsche 911 turbo and a yamaha R1 both of which regularly go on track days

My PC is watercooled and cost over 6k to build, I loove playing games on it

I have a state of the art HD cinema room with 2100 or so DVDs, Blurays, etc

I could keep going, but Im sure you get the idea.

Whats better ?

Money in the bank and living like a monk, no experiences other than your own self imposed frugality ? And somehow feeling you are the better person for it (these muppets do actually believe this) ????

or

Letting it rip and doing everything you want, having the experience of working out what the best of everything is that you can afford - and then using/doing it properly and to the max ?

who has the best life ? Who has the best memories ?

Who is the winner ?
( pregnantfridge, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:37, 75 replies)

Not you, that's for sure.

(MrC. Having the most boring username on b3ta since 2004, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:39, closed)

^This
"working out what the best of everything is that you can afford".

Spend your own money however you like, but if you owe the tax man a five-figure sum, how exactly can you afford the rest of the life you describe?
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:41, closed)

@Mr C
That was exactly my response.


@pregnantfridge - What you forgot to buy is any dignity. Ho-hum.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:43, closed)

So you are one of those that believes abstaining and self-flagellation makes you holy ?
( pregnantfridge, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:45, closed)

Not in the least.
But I think that being an arrogant fucktard might prevent it.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:46, closed)

My wage is just scraping 5 figure
YAY FOR ME
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:46, closed)

heh,
he's got the measure of you, Enzyme!
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:47, closed)

Yep.
That's me told.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:53, closed)

I am not the winner
Having wasted almost an entire minute of my precious life reading your smug, self-aggrandising twaddle.

I'm a brilliant chef.

I've got A BIG COLLECTION OF FILMS.

My computer is SPESHUL.

Please punch my face in.

I am a bender.

Who is the biggest helmet ever to post on B3ta (from a selection of uber-helms)?


Oh, I 'get the idea' old bean, I really do.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:46, closed)

lol
^this^!!!
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:48, closed)

Thank you
for making me laugh at out loud on a QOTW for what seems like the first time in ages.
(rockdoctor, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 16:19, closed)

My pleasure
*bows with a flourish*
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 16:49, closed)

clicky
ya dicky
;-)
(Cancer Joy was short lived, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 17:11, closed)

Well, money can buy you
Expensive things, true.

I think this is excellent proof that it can't buy you the respect of others or decency.
( Cawl, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:48, closed)

too everyone above
stop being so self-righteous. If the man worked hard for his money, whats wrong with him enjoying it?
To the OP, the only thing I don't like is the no-savings-or-pensions, but as long as you're man enough to have it all taken from you when you're a dribbling quivering wreck of an old man who needs round the clock care, then I applaud you. I'd want most of that stuff as well.
( Grrrmachine the indifference engine, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:51, closed)

thankyou
yes I did work hard for it.

I pulled myself out of a council estate, and not by profiteering from other people.

Ive presented these facts as a contrast to what I see in being a tightwad :

Associating your self worth with how much money you have in the bank.

I prefer to use the money to bring as much pleasure to myself and the people I can share it with.
( pregnantfridge, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:56, closed)

But..
..You still owe a massive tax bill. Too tight to pay that?
(ice9, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:21, closed)

Please
See my later response
( pregnantfridge, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 16:23, closed)

tax bill.
So you could afford to pay it with a month's salary? However you haven't and probably won't. Why not stump up the cash, tightwad, and then you can boast guilt-free?
(ice9, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 16:57, closed)

Hello, pregnantfridge
I am a QotW troll. I only ever post in order to slag off people whom I think deserve it - smug hippies, armchair psychologists, right-on slackjaws, self-important analspurts, right-wing horsetuggers, and so on.

Nobody likes me. Many have me on ignore.

Right. So that's the introductions over. Now let's get to business. You are deeply unpleasant. You are a braying, felching idiot. You have the social skills of diptheria. You fancy yourself far too much - which is lucky, really, because noone else can even tolerate being in the same room as you.

Have you ever wondered why your mother has to take so much valium? It's to dull the pain of having spawned you.

Nice to have met you.
(Star Wars Starwarsy McStarwars Face, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:52, closed)

You are a very eloquent troll.
I have enjoyed your posting.
(ThomsonsPier consumes, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:54, closed)

I am happy to have been of service.

(Star Wars Starwarsy McStarwars Face, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:03, closed)

It's been a pleasure to read.

(GloriaHull you puerile slack-jawed drooling meatslapper, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:05, closed)

A pleasure to read as always
*smiles*
( Cawl, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:56, closed)

The first sentence
I didn't realise that was Star Wars at first, for a few seconds I thought "Bugger me, Esme Weatherwax is having a troll again but this time she's grown a brain at last".

Having said that, there's no way Weatherwax is capable of stringing together a sophisticated sentence like "You are a braying, felching idiot. You have the social skills of diptheria."

I kind of had my expectations built up.
(GloriaHull you puerile slack-jawed drooling meatslapper, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:58, closed)

I am not Esme.
Nor am I aware of who she is. A /talker, maybe?

I have no need to troll /talk. They do themselves quite well enough.
(Star Wars Starwarsy McStarwars Face, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:05, closed)

Ah, she's a /talk-er
she's been in the habit of posting abusive stuff in reply to posts. Kinda steps beyond what you do, hers is aimed at QOTW on the whole. Usually a /talk-er will link to a post and Weatherwax does the gobbing off

A witless troll without a point as it were.
(GloriaHull you puerile slack-jawed drooling meatslapper, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:07, closed)

Well, you've certainly come first place in either the
a) I'm a massive cunt, but think by bragging about my probably non-existent wealth that people will respect me
b) I'm a massive cunt
d) My material goods mean nothing to me, unless I shout about them to others

=====
Personally, from my point of view (which is quite high, as I'm currently hovering over one of my Caribbean islands, in my gold plated helicopter, being piloted by a rotating squad of this years play mates of the month. Whilst Bill Gates licks my arse clean. And I light cigars with £100 notes), I think you're talking shite.


=====

Edit (Wed 29th October). I wish to retract my above statements, which were written without thought, and most likely caused to me to come across as a cunt. Partly jealousy for someone who clearly has the drive in life to get what they want, and partially because I don't have this drive, I wrote a lot of crap, for which I wish to apologise. I'm not a malicious person by nature (honestly), so I feel a bit of a cunt. Anyway, fair play to you for getting what you want out of life and more power to you.
( LemonEntryMyDearWatson This time, Moriarty, the hand is on the other foot, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:55, closed)

You forgot
the bit about 'being fed peeled grapes by nubile nyphomaniacs and drinking champagne from the belly button of a husky maiden while being fallated by [choose favourite female here].'

Otherwise, spot on.
(Che Grimsdale Best before:, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:14, closed)

Peeled grapes are horrible
Like eating an eyeball. I like the crunch from the skin.
(ThomsonsPier consumes, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:30, closed)

Ew
I don't think the idea of eating eyeballs is improved by adding a crunch.
(richardm, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 17:31, closed)

lol
why did you gold plate your helicopter ?
( pregnantfridge, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 16:22, closed)

I am the winner
because you are a muppet.

Grade A, top of the class muppet.

I hope to god you never show your face at a bash, because I will choke you to death on 1p pieces.
(Himjim died a little more inside on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:56, closed)

I was
at the London bash at O'Neills in May.

I was the one with the furtive bear mask.

Edit : Anyone actually want the pictures ?
( pregnantfridge, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:59, closed)

Yes
So I can jizz on them.
(Holy Cremola Foam Batman will be back on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:02, closed)

Arf!
*clicks!*
(ice9, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:28, closed)

Was the mask
MADE OF PURE GOLD?
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:09, closed)

why
has this made me piss my pants

WHY?
(Cancer Joy was short lived, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 17:14, closed)

I wasn't there
you were probably buying the bar, living life to THE MAX.
(Himjim died a little more inside on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:13, closed)

Please send me the photos
I've been contemplating having a wank for the past hour or so and after reading your post my sack is bubbling with warm, sticky jizzum.

Please. I need this.
(Holy Cremola Foam Batman will be back on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:19, closed)

i would
rather do that than wander the room picking up stray drinks with no owner nearby like one of the other guys at the bash was doing.

yes it was undeniable and provable, yes i did pull him up on it.
( pregnantfridge, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:21, closed)

BRUCE WAYNE?

(Himjim died a little more inside on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:24, closed)

So
not only are you a cunt. You're a judgemental one as well.

I would personally rather pick up stray, half full(I'm an optimistic type y'see)drinks than have to read your sanctimonious, self-righteous pile of shit again.

So once again, photos. Please.
(Holy Cremola Foam Batman will be back on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:27, closed)

All the way through reading this
I thought I could detect strong hints of irony in there, and then reading the replies I was thinking, 'good heavens, sometimes people really take things very seriously on here, don't they?'

and then I threw another Siamese cat on the fire.
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 14:58, closed)

tightwad
I use siamese twins to heat my house.
(Halfy By light alone, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:04, closed)

How very rare
do you find that they put up much of a fight?
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:09, closed)

no
Rohypnol is my friend.

worst comes to the worst I just sew a couple of homeless people together and lob them on.

stinks a bit but they burn real good and real long
(Halfy By light alone, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:48, closed)

I shall have to remember that
but rather than homeless people, would you mind if I burn russian princes?
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 13:04, closed)

Full on officelol
I love you.
(Himjim died a little more inside on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:12, closed)

Ahh....
I love you too, beardy stranger. Would you like to make face babies with me now?
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:13, closed)

Only if we can call
them Frank, Dusty and Billy.
(Himjim died a little more inside on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:14, closed)

NO
Their names will be Wee Jimmy, Mini Bert, and Philhelimena Lillet Wonderpants Tenalady Typhoo Henderson
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:18, closed)

mmm
Of late, I'm considerably of the opinion that we need stronger irony detectors installed around these parts.
( rofl harris, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 17:50, closed)

CARPE TESTIS!!!!
I'm on a "mere" 5 figure salary. And none of those figures are particularly high numbers.

I have a PC that will run anything. In headtracked Stereoscope. I quite literally walked through Half Life (well, leaned on a Wii balance board for lateral motion TBH). It's also watercooled, but that's pretty passe nowadays.

I have a car that will hit any speed limit in the UK faster than most(and brake just as fast and straight, safety fans!).

My "home cinema" such as it is is far higher than HD resolution thanks to nabbing two SXGA projectors "on the cheap". And an internet-full of videos.

Oh, and I've got a good pension and a very affordable mortgage and owe no-one anything apart from that mortgage. I did just blitz my savings with the car, though.

I cook a bitchin' steak.

So I've got most of what you've described except with the added bonus of extra stability and a future after the money runs out. Oh, and a car described as "just as much of a penis extension as a Porsche". Except mine's longer.

So to answer your question of "What's Better?", money safely stashed away for a rainy day but doing what you want. The best is the middle (though I tend to lean towards your POV).

@Anyone else: Do I sound like a total twat too? I'm not intending to.
( uberdeity Wondered why Owen Lars knew of the term "hell" on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:02, closed)

hmm
Vauxhall Monaro?
(Halfy By light alone, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:06, closed)

Nope
Far older, far slower than a Monaro (or a 911). And the penis extension comment was from some cynical feminist.

But it'll still outrun essentially any chav-mobile, Focus-es, any people carrier, anything French etc. And these make up the majority of cars in the UK.
( uberdeity Wondered why Owen Lars knew of the term "hell" on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:21, closed)

No, yours was a less cunty post
And your car's /much/ longer than his, so definitely I prefer you.
(MrOli is ugly, but in the morning you will be sober, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:20, closed)

A full 10 cm longer, baby.
That's 4" more penis-extension than the OP.
( uberdeity Wondered why Owen Lars knew of the term "hell" on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:24, closed)

The grille of my car
Resembles a front bottom.

Does that count?
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:25, closed)

Identity.
Hold up Fridge, I've just been reading a few of your past posts, and I'm guessing you're a well known person, am I right?
(ice9, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:40, closed)

And there was me
thinking that I was the biggest cunt on here for posting about shagging a couple of weeks ago & for being overly opinionated in last weeks QOTW but I don't feel so bad having read this wankfest.

I suppose you need to boast online about your possessions as you haven't got any friends?

Vacuous spunkbastard.
( lkjshaglkasjdhglkhjz lkcvl; g;aodh;owih, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:50, closed)

I find it
interesting.

How could I have professed my profligacy (the opposite of being a tightwad) in a way that others would understand without giving it some dimensions ?

My real statement here is carpe diem, and that tightwads don't really get anything out of their narrow lives except a sense of self-importance.

And sadly the majority just wish to abuse me without seeing any of the contrast.
( pregnantfridge, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 15:58, closed)

Not at all
By all means have all these things. And by all means tell people these things. But just learn to structure it more appropriately- start off with your philosophy and then do the listing stuff out after that.
Otherwise it sounds like "I AM THE GREATEST, YOU ALL SUCK!".

Same as if I pointed out that it took bloody ages to learn enough to tweak my PC to those levels without spending 6k or to figure out how to get everything working together properly (before finding the easy way... damnit!). Then said that "everyone else is wrong and inferior to me for not doing this stuff". You'd think "Uber's just talking shit and showing off how incredibly nerdy he is. What a twat.".

Edit: And Carpe Diem is a good philosopy to have so long as you remain relatively debt-free. That way you get to enjoy life right up to the end of it (or pay for a flight to Switzerland if you find you're not enjoying old age sufficiently...).
( uberdeity Wondered why Owen Lars knew of the term "hell" on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 16:04, closed)

I agree
you are probably right on the structuring.

My debt is mimimal and payable with a months income - I owe nothing else to anybody else.

I really do hate tightwads though... :)
( pregnantfridge, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 16:15, closed)

As you wish
I'm now going to abuse you for being a supercilious bell-end for feeling the need to explain the meaning of 'profligacy' instead.

Even if some of my esteemed colleagues were not aware of the word's definition, they do, I'm sure have the wherewithall to use their (probably non-watercooled) computers to visit a dictionary site...

You patronising cock (that means I don't like you very much and think you are a self-deluded spacker).
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 16:11, closed)

lol
i think your comprehension is a little basic.

The word "my" was used.
( pregnantfridge, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 16:18, closed)

The thing is
I'm a tightwad, not through choice, but through necessity. I earn under 20 grand a year, despite working my arse off, so I have to be.

That being said I have no thoughts of self-importance at all and have had to learn to appreciate every penny I have, and I mean every penny. I have no debts but have a bit of money put aside for a rainy day. I haven't been abroad in 5 years but I still have enjoyable holidays around the country every 6 months. I have a ten year old laptop which runs slowly on a cold day yet I've patched it up continually and it still runs like clock work so I'm loathe to replace it.

I am perfectly happy and content with my life and have no regrets nor any desire to have such expensive and wonderful toys as you do, as frankly I feel I would turn in to the pompous idiot you come across as in your original, and subsequent, posts.
(Holy Cremola Foam Batman will be back on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 16:44, closed)

Thats the way 2 do it
Amen brother
(fase69, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 16:11, closed)

i'm skint
and make my own entertainment.

nobody gives a fuck about that, either.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 1:15, closed)

Good luck
to you I reckon.
( enoughblueskyforsailorstrousers, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 2:43, closed)

pregnant fridge
i'm a student.i live in a cold room.i'm currently drinking lukewarm coffee after deciding what camus called 'the most important decision of the day' - that is,to not kill myself this morning.
i have nothing material.my bank account is more barren than my last girlfriend.
and d'you know what?i am much,much happier than you can imagine.not for any metaphysical reason,but because i have nothing,and so i am free from all distraction.I do not judge myself on what i 'own'.I own nothing.and i am completely free.
/ends for maximum effect.
(Fuckpig "That's not even a pound a midget.", Sat 25 Oct 2008, 13:48, closed)

Tightwads
Depends what you want out of life though. Some people thrive on the accumulation of material things, others couldn't give a flying monkeys toss pouch.
(Mr Teatime, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 18:16, closed)

A few points...
I do agree that your 'worth' is not all defined by what you have in the bank, as memories of places you have been, things you enjoy (be that a wine or a home theatre full of films) and by another thing you failed to mention - the enjoyment of those around you and the memories that comes with those.

On the other hand, there is also something called common sense and future planning - you owe a five figure sum to the taxman, and have nothing in the way of savings or future plans. If you lose your job (whch can happen for economical/business reasons, or ill health and other problems) you have exactly nothing, so your life by your definition pretty much becomes worthless and leaves you with zip. Something like a pension or saving plan, yes it means you cannot buy quite as many dvds each month, but gives you the opportunity to keep that supply of dvds coming should something happen.
A waste of time, or a wise investment for your future enjoyment and worth?
(442, Sun 26 Oct 2008, 23:52, closed)

Your analysis of what makes for a better life
seems to be notably absent of, y'know, other humans...

The Lots Of Stuff vs No Stuff debate rather pales into insignificance when measured against the possibility of dying alone, unloved, and forgotten (albeit in a nice house with a cool telly).
( Happy Phantom has been to Hastings, Brighton, and Eastbourne too, Mon 27 Oct 2008, 12:38, closed)

hmmm
/unimpressed

I know that life, and there's no comfort, security or happiness in it.

I'd swap my shiny stuff for a bunch of good, close mates to go down the pub with ANY day!
(pootermunky unlurked on, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 16:43, closed)