This post isn't strictly about frugality, but more of a lifestyle-crisis I'm currently having. And this is going to ramble on a bit, as it covers multiple facets of my live, and multiple values balanced against each other - you know, because that's just life.
To start with I'm 22, I finally moved out of my parents house and got a real job less than a year ago. I love where I live, and I love my job. I don't provide for anyone but me and my cat. Some money stats:
pre-theft (pre-tax) income: $~35k/yr
Money in the bank: ~$1,500
I have a newer reliable 250cc motorcycle that I commute with. Worth ~$1600
I have a newly-opened 401K, without much in it.
I have no debt to my name, and never have.
My budget:
$675/mo rent
$108/yr rental insurance (it was mandatory)
$99/yr motorcycle insurance
$300/yr for prescription glasses
$40/mo prepaid smartphone
$55/mo cable internet
~$50/mo electric
$50/week grocery budget (includes toiletries, cat food, clothes, etc)
$30/paycheck spending money (down from $60)
vehicle maintenance and fuel $50/mo
I also spend about $100/yr on streaming video subscriptions.
$300/month hobbies (flying and travel)
altogether that comes to about $18k/yr
Now, pretty much all of you have noticed a huge discrepancy between my budget, my salary, and my bank balance. There are two big reasons for that.
1) Up until recently I owned a car:
2001 Hyundai Accent
Bought for $1500
$750 in maintenance (in just a few months, but alot was preventative and a $150 stereo)
$200 Registration
$76/mo!!! liability insurance
And then I hit black ice and rolled it:
$500 towing bill
$200 police extortion (citation)
$60 hotel
and also my car is now scrap metal
Grand total for 3 months and about 3000 miles of driving:
$3,660
So, basically: FUCK. CARS. I will now be commuting by motorcycle, bicycle and taxi cab. Sure, basically everyone is telling me that I *need* a car. But between the awful soul-sucking commutes, the constant worry of being harassed by cops, the extortion-level cost of insurance and the fact that my commute is only 9 miles means I've made the executive decision to go car-free. And boy does it feel liberating!
And for reason #2:
I'm addicted to stuff. But I hate clutter.
Yeah, I said it. I'm completely 100% ashamed of it, its ok to throw rocks - I deserve it. Some of the things I own, what I paid for them, and how worthwhile it is to me:
Basic laptop $300 - used as my daily driver, so worth it
My old gaming PC its probably worth $200 (will be gifting to a family-member as I never use it)
My new gaming PC ~$800 - unsure of value to me, see below
Xbox 360 - I've had it for 4-5 years, so probably worth it. paid $150
Wii U - $350. not worth it.
PS vita $200 not worth it.
Gamecube - $50 - see below.
PS2 - $50 - see below
SNES - had since childhood - see below
super famicom - $60 - see below
HDTV that was given to me (cost $350 new) see below
high-end CRT TV $15 see below
Low end android tablet $90 - kinda worth it.
Gopro hero $130 - nope.
Turtle beach headset $30 = very worth it.
Low-end smartphone $70 - worth it
Walmart mountain bike $200 - not worth it, as it fell apart with minimal use
Used motorscooter $850 - worth it, as it was my main transportation for a year (now scrapmetal)
bed from childhood $??? (probably alot) - not worth it, as I prefer a floor futon, and its now worthless
Toolkit my advisor in college swore i needed, but didn't - $850 - HELL NO, $50 at harbor freight would've done nicely.
I also have hundreds of DVDs, blurays and video games, and probably almost 1000 books of various types.
In addition to a bunch of hobby gear, like MCU programmers, a sewing machine and a snowboard. Most of this stuff was inexpensive.
I also have way too many clothes - most don't fit properly because I lost a bunch of weight.
Below: I'm trying to change my lifestyle. I'd like to stop wasting time and money drooling over games I rarely play, and spend my time productively: reading thought-provoking books, designing things, playing with my cat, excercising, prepping my own food, etc. But occasionally I do like to game.
So this is my problem. And it's ruining my financial independence and my peace of mind. But how do I fix it? Despite all this, I've always *wanted* to become a minimalist. But at some point I want to do things, not just stare at an empty room. So where's the balance? How do I know if I'll use something *before* I buy it? How do I get rid of the crap I have, and more importantly how do I stop bringing worthless stuff in? (While still acquiring the things of genuine value) I'm not yet a hoarder, but I'm definitely afraid of treading into that territory!
I feel ashamed to even have this problem!
TLDR: I have and buy too much crap. How do I get rid of the crap I have, and know what crap is ok to buy and what isn't?
Sorry it's not really an FI, ER, or strictly MMM question. Also I apologize for my rambling.