Less of Less

I tried to explain my theory of household budgeting to Robert. I think he was amused.

The way I figure it, we’re “ahead” if we have a chance to spend money, but don’t.

Example: we could buy tickets to a show at the local Center for the Arts. That would set us back at least $60. By not buying tickets, we’re ahead $60.

Aside from providing a rationale for not spending money we don’t have, this silly fantasy has no real effect on our assets or cash flow. It just makes me feel better. It’s a pretense that we have enough disposable income to spend on luxuries and entertainment, but choose not to.

So, although we have less than many other people, it is a smaller amount of less than if we (I) weren’t so abstemious. Less of less.