Sports, Booze, and Guns

There are some things in American Culture that we are unwilling to give up no matter the costs. Even the frugal crowd amongst us seem to have a difficult giving up certain expenses. The big three I’ve noticed are sports, alcohol and guns.

credit: freedigitalphotos.net by arkorn

credit: freedigitalphotos.net by arkorn

Sports

When it comes cutting expenses, many people start with cutting the cord because of the high cost of cable. However, many refuse to cut the cord because they can’t give up sports. Awhile back, I read about a caller to the Dave Ramsey show who had no emergency fund yet wanted “permission” to spend $1500 on football tickets. Dave said, “it’s a game; you don’t put that ahead of your family’s financial foundation!” I have a co-worker whose beloved baseball team made it to the playoffs and he shelled out a few hundred dollars for tickets as well as team paraphernalia. He often complained about money being tight but magically came up with money for these expenses.

I’m in a Facebook group with members pursuing FIRE, who often post about frugal hacks, yet when a member posted about attending a playoff game out-of-state to support his team, many agreed that experiences are worth the costs. Obviously, we each individually have different value system and I’m not saying that this expense is ridiculous, but it does go to show how much we LOVE our sports.

I used to be a sports fanatic so I can understand the love that fans have for their teams. When I was a kid, I would listen to the Knicks basketball game on the radio because I didn’t have cable. I would read the box scores or my favorite sports teams. No, actually I read all the box scores and could probably recite every player from every team. I didn’t have any money to spend on sports at the time, and now that I do, the costs of watching and attending games is just not worth it to me. Also, with age, I’ve found other things that are higher on my priority list.

Check out this blog post on Freedom is Groovy: 10 Reasons Not to Invest Time and Money into Professional Sports. (While Mr. Groovy says professional sports, I would include collegiate sports in there as well. The NCAA in my opinion is a corrupt organization and I just can’t support them. Plus, my alma mater isn’t all that great anyway so it makes not following college sports easy!)

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Booze

Ah yes, booze…our culture seems to revolve around alcohol. I’m sure you’re saying that you don’t really drink all that much. You’re only a social drinker right? What do you do after a long stressful day…relax with a glass of wine. After work…let’s go to happy hour. Go to a sporting event…tailgate and drink hours before the game and then continue drinking during the game, and probably afterwards as well. Wedding…it better be open bar right? Watching a game at home…grab a cold beer from the fridge. Going to a kid’s birthday party…there better be alcohol because how else can I deal with screaming kids for 2 hours?! Watching the political debate on T.V…let’s drink every time a candidate says “fake news!” Going to a barbecue…let’s play ping pong, no I mean beer pong! Talking about personal finance on a podcast…”what are you drinking?” It’s January! Let’s do a Dry January Challenge since apparently we drink too much and it’s difficult to go without drinking, even for one month!

In a recent Twitter thread, I read how one person was faced with an hour wait at a liquor store prior to the holidays, but said that it was well worth the wait because how can you possibly survive dealing with family without alcohol! Wow, if you despise certain family members so much, I’m not sure getting drunk at a holiday get together will help. It’s also odd when I read some personal finance bloggers chastise others for spending on frivolous or materialistic items but will give a pass to alcohol, as if it were a necessity. Others will acknowledge that it’s a luxury item, but one that brings them joy so they will not and cannot give it up. Once again, nothing wrong with spending on an item that brings you joy. Just showing the powerful grasp that alcohol has on some of us.

No, I’m not a teetotaling Puritan who never drinks and is against others drinking. Sure, I’ll have a drink when I’m hanging out with a bunch of friends. It loosens you up, you laugh more and feel like you’re having more fun. Just as with sports, I indulged in alcohol much more in my younger days. My priorities have changed. Honestly, I never really liked the taste of alcohol. I liked it more so for how it made me feel and act. I generally drank when I went out to a bar or club. No, I don’t want a drink at a kids birthday party. I’m not sure how much alcohol one needs to dull the noise of screaming kids running around, but I’d prefer to be sober at that event. Also, call me crazy, but I actually get some enjoyment seeing my kid have a blast even though I might prefer some other form of entertainment.

David Cain who blogs at Raptitude had two great post relating to alcohol and him quitting it for a few months. He wrote a post, Goodbye Booze, For Now and what he learned from not drinking for four months. Raptitude is a great blog and David is an excellent writer, so he probably expresses thoughts about this topic clearer than me.

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Guns

The personal finance reader demographic might not include a lot of gun owners. Well honestly, I don’t really know so I’m just assuming. However, it’s undeniable that guns are an item which many in this country LOVE and cannot live without. They will argue that they need guns for protection or for hunting. I’m not talking about the person with a hunting rifle or the person with a handgun at home for protection. I’m mainly talking about those who like to play G.I Joe, wearing military fatigues and buy assault rifles. I don’t want to get into a political debate so I’m not going to go much further. However, I can’t help but point out that many who point to the second amendment seem to think it’s a Biblical commandment instead. Also, it’s an amendment which means it can be changed and is not set it stone. There was an amendment prohibiting alcohol at one point…we got rid of that one. No surprise! One final point, the first part of the second amendment actually says “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,” but many people don’t recite that part when they assert that the U.S Constitution prohibits any limitation on their gun ownership. Also, there are limitations on other rights which are included in the Bill of Rights. Oh, sorry, that was two final points!

Jeff Jeffries, an Australian comedian has a hilarious comedy routine which tears into the gun culture in the United States and is both funny and makes great points. Check it out. (Note: Jeffries uses explicit language).

As many of us who have gotten out of the consumption hamster wheel, we feel freed from spending mindlessly while others who continue on that hamster wheel wonder why we live such a life of deprivation. We should always be questioning whether a product or service is truly something you value rather than accepting that that’s what everybody does or that you’ve always done it.

What things could you never give up?

20 thoughts on “Sports, Booze, and Guns

  1. Tonya@Budget and the Beach

    It’s funny how very different all of our priorities are. I could easily ditch the sports thing and alcohol I could for the most part, although I DO love the taste, but never drink to get drunk. One and done! And guns. Nope! But I do get my hair cut every 6-8 weeks and I wouldn’t live with a roommate anymore (other than a boyfriend or husband) unless you dragged me kicking and screaming.

    1. livingrichcheaply@gmail.com Post author

      Yea, everyone values things differently. I can definitely understand not wanting a roommate when you get to a certain stage in life. Sometimes you just need more privacy and personal space for yourself.

    1. livingrichcheaply@gmail.com Post author

      Yes so true. I could write a whole post about how I think college sports in an abomination but I’m not gonna go there!

  2. Laurie Blank

    Great article, Andrew. I am regularly flabbergasted at how much money people spend on alcohol!! $500-$1000 a month easy in the circles I know. I’m not against drinking either, but man, you could be FI in a very short time putting that kind of cash into proper investments. I know a few who spend oodles on sports and guns too, but not many. We don’t splurge on much of anything these days as we’re working hard on reaching our goals. I suppose it’s all a matter of priorities. We do have a few firearms, living in the country where there is a plethora of wild animals (we had a 500 pound bear in the yard this summer and a wolf across the street last night – you need some heavy duty firearms when there are those kinds of threats to your family) and Rick being a hunter, but I’m certain some of our neighbors are the G.I. Joe wannabe types. 🙂
    Laurie Blank recently posted…3 Ways Telehandlers Can Help Out on a FarmMy Profile

    1. livingrichcheaply@gmail.com Post author

      Wow…$500 to $1000! I could definitely see that too, especially here in NYC. Even if you don’t go to the fancier places, it really adds up. And yea, I definitely understand having firearms for protection when you’re living in the country. I’m even fine with it for protection if you live in the city. But those G.I. Joe wannabes…nope!

  3. Brian

    I admit I have attended a professions sports game, I had a drink at a bar, and own a gun. They do not, however, impact my finances. I often heard friends, and co-workers complain about not having the money or waiting for a pay increase but dropped big $$$ on tickets to games, concerts, fantasy sports, etc. All about having your priorities straight. The biggest issue with sports for me is the time suck it causes while watching games on TV. I’ve tried to cut back on spending time on it. I’m trying to be more like Mr.G. 🙂
    Brian recently posted…Financial Steps to Take Before DivorceMy Profile

    1. livingrichcheaply@gmail.com Post author

      I think the time suck is probably the main reason I’ve cut it out since I feel like I don’t have enough time as it is.

  4. Francis

    We all have different takes on how to be frugal. What maybe expensive for someone is worth it for someone else. What is da point of saving/investing if we cant spend the money on something that we love from time to time (but not always aka in moderation). I dont have cable or watch movies in theater but internet is a must. I dont go out every weekend but splurging once a month is a high priority. I dont like switching phones or gadgets until after 7 years of usage or broken but on my birthday every year I go all out. It’s easier to make sacrifices on things that are not as important to us but for the other stuff? Things that we really value its no question that we need to give in at least occasionally because WE DESERVE it for working so hard. There should be a balance between preparing for the future & living our lives because at the end of the day worldy treasures or money we cant bring it when we pass away someday. Dont want to have regrets when I die 😀

    1. livingrichcheaply@gmail.com Post author

      Yea everyone values different things. However, we need to try and be more intentional with our spending. Are we spending just because we think every is doing it or buying it or will it truly bring you joy. Definitely no reason to deprive yourself. Life is meant to be enjoyed.

  5. Jason@WinningPersonalFinance

    You’re absolutely right about these. I’ve naturally steered away from them myself. I have no interest in guns. I drank a bit when I was younger, these day’s, a glass of wine once in a while does the trick. And for sports, the Knicks make me sick, I’m happier not watching. My Mets seem to be run by a frugal personal finance blogger. I still follow them but I’m not going bankrupt to buy season tickets. I’ll go to a couple of games a year when tickets are fairly priced. I’d spend some money if there was a playoff game but…let’s just say I’m not budgeting for the Mets to make the playoffs. If they do, I’ll move that money from elsewhere in the budget if I decide to go. It won’t prevent me from reaching my savings goals for sure.
    Jason@WinningPersonalFinance recently posted…3 Steps to Improve Your (Financial) Health In 2018My Profile

    1. livingrichcheaply@gmail.com Post author

      Haha, you’re right, it does seem like the Mets are run by a frugal personal finance blogger. I keep hearing about the Wilpons getting caught up in the Madoff stuff but at some point that excuse gets old. You’re in a big market…ACT LIKE IT! Luckily I’m more of a Yankees fan even though I’m from Queens. When I started following baseball, the Mets were the “worst team money could buy” and also had some players with pretty bad character so liked the Yankees, especially Mattingly.

  6. Done by Forty

    I think you kind of nailed the things that we irrationally spend on.

    Sports is a huge one for me. Though after my Steelers let the Jags run right over them yesterday, I question why I put myself through it.

    I think the thing I always come back to is that we’re rational beings AND emotional beings all at the same time. I personally have no problem indulging the emotional so long as the rational (necessities, future goals like retirement) are taken care of.

    Simply put: spending money on the things you care about is kind of the whole point, in my opinion. If a touchdown, nights out with friends, or the mule’s kick from a revolver bring a smile to your face, then good for you. Just make sure your’e taking care of the things that truly matter.
    Done by Forty recently posted…PF Chat: Tax Cuts and Jobs ActMy Profile

    1. livingrichcheaply@gmail.com Post author

      Yea I was a pretty big sports fan though my fandom started lessening as I got married and pretty much died when I had kids =) You’re right about spending money on things you care about but sometimes we gotta question whether it’s something we truly care about. I’m sure many will say they can’t live without sports and beer but is that really true or is it more of an addiction?

  7. Josh

    My alma mater hasn’t had a winning football season since 1983 and they went winless for the 3rd in school history this season. The 2nd time was when I was a freshman. So it makes it easy for me to dislike college sports. It’s also another reason I don’t give money to the school–I’m not going to indirectly subsidize athletics when tuition has increased 80% since I graduated a decade ago.

    I think how much money parents spend on youth sports is mind-blowing too. We have extended family that have had “money troubles” but can stilll find money to put their children in sports year-round.
    Josh recently posted…My Ebates.com ReviewMy Profile

    1. livingrichcheaply@gmail.com Post author

      I’ve given money to my alma mater because I used to work as a telemarketer for the school when I went there =) Some schools really put sports above everything which is sad. And great point about youth sports too. That could be a whole separate posts. I know parents who spend a ton of money on sports…travel leagues, equipment, etc. Not only is it really expensive…it takes a lot of time.

  8. EL

    Yeah you hit it on the head America loves those 3 things. It will protect it forever it seems, I think you can slowly start adding weed into it as well as the 4th thing getting more consumption. It will be crazy to see the whole nation allowed to buy grass just like alcohol. European countries seem to be managing it OK. Well good post once again.

    1. livingrichcheaply@gmail.com Post author

      Thanks. Yea, the danger of alcohol and weed is the addictive nature of it. I have no problem if someone drinks wine once in awhile or even if they want to smoke a joint, but it starts controlling you when you get addicted to it.

  9. Jackie B

    I’m from Canada, and it’s wacky to me that people would actually spend money on guns. It’s just not a thing here, like at all. Same with sports. There are some who go to pro hockey games, or whatever, but the average person just watches them on TV, if at all.

    It’s a different world!

    1. livingrichcheaply@gmail.com Post author

      Guns…mainly a certain segment of the population here. Although I have a feeling that Canadians can be pretty passionate about their sports too…no?

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