I'm keeping up with the Joneses but they are different than most. They have no debt, a nice home, a nice car and are saving and investing money every month. I want to be them. So yes I am trying desperately to keep up with the Joneses!
Does anyone else have people that they know and see regularly which inspire them to be better?

Good thread! Honestly, my parents are my inspiration. They are very frugal and taught me well! They have always taught me to save and pay myself first. My mom has taught me the thrill of finding a bargain. They are now in their 60s and lead what I'd call "the good life"... a cabin in Northern MN, a condo in FL, financial security, and they did it all on a middle-class income.

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Sadly most of the people we know are in more debt than we are. We have a planned goal of being debt free except the mortgage by the end of the year. We would've been there now but we bought a 2000 diesal Jetta TDI (40-50mpg) and sold my husband's 92 Jeep Wrangler. We paid cash for the Jetta. We chose to keep our Suburban loan and pay cash for the Jetta because the interest rate on the Suburban is only 4.5%.

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I am debt free excpet mortgage, and although I dont talk it over with my friends/family I can say from what I see (cars/personal affects) I would rather keep up with myself and my older car, older tube tv, cheap digital camera, free cellphone, and one car, then go out and have the fanciest of things for no real reason. Maybe one day if I have enough saved, I can dip in for something nice.

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http://mommysavers.com/boards/journa...wjournal&j=184
Amber

My DH and I used to work with a couple in their early 60's who always got a bad rap as being tightwads. Well, especially Tom, the husband. Brenda, the wife was always pitied for having to go along with his (perceived) cheapness. Well, we got to be friends with them and learned that they had absolutely no debt, were on schedule for early retirement with 100% benefits paid for life, no mortgage, both drove nice cars with no payments, etc. They both had good jobs (but nothing remarkable) and just worked hard and saved their money. They have since retired and go on 2-3 cruises a year and cross-country vacations. They have a small plane and take off for the afternoon to have lunch on the Gulf or some other nice place. Apparently all those years of making frugal decisions and saving money have really paid off for them. They are extremely young at heart, healthy, and have their relationship priorities in line. Trust me, they don't go crazy with their money even now and I know they sniff out the best deals before making purchases. My DH and I say all the time how we want to be like Tom and Brenda when we grow up!

My husband and I joke that we live on the "millionaire next door" street. We live in a neighborhood that is about 40 years old and have many neighbors who are original home owners. They bought their homes when they were young married couples and raised many kids. The average house on the street is about 1700 sq feet and has 3 br and 1 1/2 baths. Quite small compared to the newer housing in our area. These familes raised 3-4 kids in these homes and now the kids are gone the couples are now all retired. One couple just left this am for hilton head for a month. another couple went to israel last year and paris the year before that. My husband and I discuss our goals quite often and we look at our neighbors as role models. While we have never discussed finances with any of them, it is quite evident with their retirement lifestyles that it was the decisions they made when they were younger that has afforded them their current lifestyle now. They volunteer, travel, spend lots of time with friends and family. We wrestle with the decision to move to a bigger house or stay put and save money so we too can live a nice retirement. we are due to have our 2nd child in april and the house will begin to feel cramped but with a bigger house comes a much bigger mortgage, insurance and utilities. I think we want to live like the jones' in this thread than the jones' who live on the edge!!

Kristia...I think you're wise to stay where you are. That will keep you where you are currently financially as well! Good for you for recognizing the smarter thing to do. Congrats on the new little one and enjoy your smaller home with the smaller mortgage!

I know a couple of people who I try to live like. They are doing pretty much what you all said. It does inspire me and helps me see that not everyone spends, spends, spends like other people I know.