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When Mrs. Groovy and I lived on Long Island, we would have dinner at the Valley Stream White Castle on Valentine’s Day.
At first, we did our frugal Valentine’s Day out of necessity. For the first couple of years of our relationship, we were very mediocre at earning and managing money.
But as our incomes and financial acumen grew, we still decided to be frugal on Valentine’s Day. Why? Simply put, flouting conventionality was fun. Telling “society” to shove its greeting cards, roses, chocolates, and fixed-menu dinning at respectable restaurants made us feel like naughty little rabble-rousers. Besides, we only had White Castle belly-bombs once a year, and because our White Castle was right next to a train station, we could always count on a bounty of stealthy entertainment from a very eclectic clientele.
Fast forward to the great geoarbitrage gambit of 2006 and a dire problem soon emerged. There were (and are) no freakin’ White Castles in North Carolina. How was our tradition of giving a big giant FU to conventionality on Valentine’s Day going to continue?
No worries. North Carolina has plenty of eateries that feature cheap tasty comfort food.
For our first couple of years in Charlotte, we flouted conventionality at South 21—an eatery so renowned for cheap tasty comfort food, it merited a visit from the Godfather of Grease, Guy Fieri.
But then in 2008, we moved out to the country and South 21 was no longer a viable option. Fortunately, a Sonic was nearby to fill the void, and that chain has been our go-to eatery whenever we’ve had the desire to flout society’s dining expectations. Here’s our bill from this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration.
Simple Joys and Financial Independence
Mrs. Groovy and I never really considered ourselves special for achieving financial independence. For us, the only thing that separated us from that glorious condition was ignorance. Once we discovered the FIRE movement and digested its core teachings, applying its core teachings and building wealth was easy.
“You mean to tell us,” we chortled in disbelief, “that all we have to do to get rich is automate savings, give up Starbucks, and drive a crappy car? Count us in.”
We were easily seduced by the FIRE movement because we never needed much to make us happy. Consider the following:
- Having a mini Blizzard at Dairy Queen.
- Watching the cows and their calves grazing in our neighbor’s pasture.
- Going over to Jim and Theresa’s for card night.
- Making homemade art out of scrap metal or pallet wood.
- Lounging on the couch and watching Dark Shadows or Patty Duke on Tubi tv.
These are just some of the things that make us extremely happy—and all of them are extremely affordable.
But what if life’s simple joys didn’t bring us fulfillment? What if we needed refined experiences and look-at-me purchases to feel good about ourselves? Would we have found the FIRE movement so appealing?
I doubt it. But here’s an even bigger question. Can an appreciation for life’s simple joys be cultivated? And if it can’t—and most human beings are hardwired to lust after refined experiences and look-at-me purchases—does this then mean that the FIRE movement is destined to be little more than a freakish cult?
I shudder at the answer and weep for my fellow man.
Final Thoughts
Okay, groovy freedomist, that’s all I got. What say you? I say appreciating life’s simple joys is a superpower that is not easily cultivated. Either you’re satisfied with life’s simple joys or you’re not. And if you ain’t satisfied with life’s simple joys, financial independence isn’t likely to be something you’ll ever experience. Let me know what you think when you get a chance. Peace.
For us preparing a big bowl of popcorn and watching Sweet Home Alabama while the kids were happily sleeping did the trick this year 😉 Small joys for the win!
[HCF] recently posted…Tough it out
Popcorn, couch, movie, and spouse–that is truly the meaning of life. Bravo, my friend.
Are you near a Krystal? Consider Krystal then you can also join in the great North South argument – Krystal vs White Castle. I do agree with Steve Waffle House is a great spot. One year when my dad was working out of the country my mom and I spent Christmas Eve there and each Christmas Day that I work I always have dinner there.
Hey, Alicia. Not familiar with Krystal. But Mrs. Groovy and I are headed to Savannah this spring and I just added to our list of food options. We love simple, cheap comfort food, and I’m sure Krystal will become another arrow in our comfort food quiver. Thanks. And thanks for sharing your Waffle House Christmas stories. What great memories, and what a great tradition.
Waffle House. They aren’t in Michigan (where I live), but whenever I’m as far south as Ohio, I feel this magnetic tug toward the source of pecan waffles. And if the people who track such things are to be trusted, Waffle Houses are the last to close and first to reopen in the event of a natural disaster. I’ve been to Sonic a few times, but i just don’t feel the love
Agreed. Love the grits at the Waffle House. Sonic is good, but nothing great. We just caught it when the chef was really on his or her game.
For Valentine’s Day I took myself to the theatre to see ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ played by only 2 actors. It was HILARIOUS! Mrs Groovy would love it. So inventive and clever.
The ticket was $79, but I stayed at work till 5, brought a frozen dinner from home and ate that before I drove in. I could’ve swept myself out to a fancy restaurant dinner before the play, but really? The play itself was the treat, not the meal.
I think that knowing where to draw the line is the secret of financial success.
I like your style! You’ve got a lot of moxie!
Mrs Groovy recently posted…The Superpower of Appreciating Simple Joys
Mrs. Groovy is right. You do have a lot of moxie. I haven’t seen a play in ages. I’m jealous.
The simplest joy I’ve found is getting lost in the library. There’s so much entertainment available there for free, and it’s always a nice quiet place to visit.
You’re a genius! Couldn’t agree more. I forgot all about the glories of the public library.
You naughty little rabble-rouser. How DARE you be content with life’s simple joys. Simply unacceptable.
(And also, the right path toward a fulfilling life).
Haha! I guess I have a little James Dean in me.
Most interesting question, is the FIRE movement a fad? I believe not and that lots of folks are sick of all the consumerism and “keeping up with the Jones”. We need to ask ourselves, what is important? Love your examples of things that make you happy!
For Valentines Day, we did up a juicy rib steak with mushrooms and veggies. Coupled with an inexpensive (but good) red wine was the perfect way for us to celebrate.
Shannon@RetiresGreat recently posted…What is Forced Retirement and How to Combat Ageism
“I believe not and that lots of folks are sick of all the consumerism and “keeping up with the Jones”. We need to ask ourselves, what is important? ”
From your keyboard to God’s ears. I love the cut of your jib, my friend. I and love your Valentine’s Day celebration. Sharing steak, veggies, and wine with your significant other–nothing simpler, and nothing better. Cheers.
Another excellent thought-provoking post.
“Can an appreciation for life’s simple joys be cultivated?” -Yes, I think so. Back in the swinging 90s, I was climbing the corporate ladder, making good money and spending all of it (and more) on look-at-me purchases and fancy trips. But living in debt took its toll and I changed my outlook (and some relationships) to reflect a more simple existence. And I haven’t looked back.
But most of my family and friends live for the epic vacations and image purchases. Few see the relationship between minor sacrifices and Groovy freedom borne of financial independence, even though they plainly see that Mrs. G and I are free from the rat race because we are satisfied with simpler pleasures.
FIRE may be cultish in some ways, but it’s really just a lifestyle governed by simple and sound principles. The math works.
“FIRE may be cultish in some ways, but it’s really just a lifestyle governed by simple and sound principles. The math works.”
I love it. You have a lot of wisdom, my friend. I hope Mrs. G appreciates you.
1 diet dr. peppers – now that’s quite groovy. My wife and I have always shared our drink as well.
Another I don’t know why I didn’t think about but recently read somewhere is getting a large starbuck coffee (when I have to) with a spare cup.
You have a keen eye gofi. Thanks for recognizing the single Dr. Pepper. It’s a great way for couples to cut down on soda consumption but still enjoy the vice. And I never considered that Starbuck hack before. Brilliant.