Stylishly Frugal

A couple of months ago someone said something odd to me. “I know you can have any car you want. I think it is great you have. Toyota.” It didn’t feel like a compliment, but I responded, “Yes, I adore my Toyota.”

Yesterday I was watching a show by a wealth advisor who was speaking about how to be truly wealthy. She said that her smartest and most secure clients don’t buy fancy cars. She said most of her clients who had the fanciest cars, also had the most money problems.

She said the clients who had the least money problems drove Toyotas, no matter how much money they had. She went on to say they also drove them for many more years. Suddenly that comment about my Toyota made me feel good. I am not sure the person who made it to me knew the correlation between Toyota owners and people who are smart about managing their money, but I knew it.

Back in the eighties I learned that Warren Buffet drove the same Buick for years and years. I figured that if the wealthiest man in America, at the time, was happy driving a late model Buick, I too should not waste money on cars. A good reliable car, like my Toyota, will serve me well.

I am happy for my friends who drive fancy cars and love them. If you have all the money in the world it does not make any difference if you spend money on cars. I just like the confirmation that I am not the only cheapskate. Perhaps being frugal is coming into style.