Is your money really yours to decide?

Just wanted to get something off my chest as this is a topic that crops up a lot at work and as well as home.

Now, I'm working full time and the pay isn't great. The work I'm doing isn't flash or brilliant but I like the people there. However, my mom walks in and goes "Why did you buy X" or the other variation of it "Why did you buy X game when you don't have the time to do so?"

To be fair on her, I did buy quite a lot of games and an Xbox360 recently. After looking at my playing time on both, it is quite minimal. Perhaps the only time I got someone to play with me was during some of the family moments/social gatherings my parents organised. Other than that, I haven't played that much. From my play time tracker on another site, I've only done about 5 hours on the Xbox360 in 3 days and about 564 hours on the PS3 in 4 years. That's quite a lot but the game time for each game varies from a few hours on Gears 1 down to 56 hours on Metal Gear Solid 4.

As I sit here, you're probably wondering "what has this got to do with the title?" Well, my parents then told me "If you're bothered buying that game, then why didn't you save it?" or "Why can't you not spend and save instead since our economy is going down badly?" It is always these two questions that get thrown around afterwards. I think to myself "Well, saving doesn't do jack if I'm dead and the economy is just too volatile to predict really." Plus, the job market isn't looking flash either (I had about 3 interviews and a couple of phone interviews during these past 6 months).

Then they proceed to guilt trip me in saying "All that money would have been a treasure to someone else" or "You already got so little time that you couldn't complete it. Use that time finding another job/outlet." And on it goes.

EDIT: My work colleagues tell me that "Money that isn't being used should be saved. Just spend on what you need and that's it." I've already done that really well (given two bank accounts and a share portfolio) so it isn't an issue of how much I have really. And I'm quite doubtful on spending on games and TV shows really. I rarely go out to eat and Fridays I sometimes attend drinks at the pub so I do have a lot.

Now, the gist of it is that "Should they/other people care where my money goes?" A part of me goes "No, I should be free to spend whenever and whatever." But the nagging part of me goes "Yes, because you're doing a future for yourself if shit hits the fan really." What would be your response then?

The money is all yours to decide. Heck, you can spend it all in one for God's sake, or save a little bit of it for later use.
Personally, I always save at least 20% of money whenever I got an income. The reason is pretty simple, I like watching a lot of numbers in my bank account, it makes me feel more secure somehow.

The money is yours. You sold your time/work in exchange for pay.

In other terms, you sold property (your time) for the property of another person (the Xbox and games). The dollar bill or whatever currency you used to make that purchase is simply an enabler due to the complications of a barter system.

It's your property and as long as you are not harming someone else who is not consenting then you can do what you want with it. My advice, tell them to be quiet and remind them you don't dictate how they spend their money so they should reciprocate.

If you earned it for yourself and actually worked foor it you should have the right to use it on whatever you like whenever you want. But for the love of God don't spend your grocery money on a game! I've been there and trust that game isn't as good as it looked on the cover when your stomach sounds like a pissed off Chewbacca.

I usually don't spend that much as before. These days, I have to think long and hard before I spend my money. Unfortunately, my parents can't see reason.

I haven't though of my expenses in a solitary sense for some time now since I live with my fiance. Our money is a pool and such.

I will have even less freedom when I have children.

The money is yours, if it's in your hands, no strings attached, then you can do whatever the hell you want with it. To spending on happy endings in massage parlors, to hookers on the street, hell even buying games for your console, it's all up to you and the way you spend it.

Who cares what your parents think, while I do understand the point of saving and the reasoning they have I personally believe they can shove it up their ass, you worked for it and your not under their care any more, if you make the "mistake" of spending it it's probably their fault for not breeding an adequate child.While I am blessed enough to say I do have a higher salary compared to even three Pre-recession households, money is meant to be an end to the means of enjoyment and should be spent freely and accordingly, obviously follow some disgression on what you spend it on and value essentials when needed but otherwise just QQ more,saving money won't do anything if the theoretical shit hits the theoretical fan. Oh and on another note is there any chance your parents are trying to compensate for their pass failures by sharing a recycled telling of how they threw away their lives instead of nagging a child enough for him to post about it?

OP do you pay board/rent or contribute to the family household with this money you earn? If you don't start contributing with weekly or fortnightly board payments.
It's a small token but it shows you know what you're doing with money and makes you look responsible.
Otherwise it's your money you can blow it on crack and hookers if you want.

It's your money you earned it just make sure you know the true value of cash. I live by my self and I have to pay for rent,water, power and food and I save at least $100 each check and the rest I use for my self. It's always good to save a little because you never know when you need it but it's your life and you should be able to do what you want fight the power fight it!!!

Currency is just an IOU >.>

Short answer. yes, others should be concerned with how you spend your money. Spending patterns can denote behavioral changes for one. It can effect future events that may be of little concern to you now but great to others, home ownership, children, spouses. Finances are a significant matter in your life in this day and age. Your parents, your friends, coworkers, even strangers all should have varying degrees of concern about it. There has been more than one college student who has committed suicide over financial issues.

That being said, you should be the one ultimately exercising control of your personal finances. Regardless of what your parents have argued with you, I'm sure they've never tried to directly control your finances either. If they have, you should firmly put a stop to it before the situation boils out of control.

With regards to your personal issue, your mother seems dead set against the xbox 360? Have you ever had any mature conversations with her about her attitude towards it? Or is a systematic approach she takes to all outlets you channel your money into?

Its your money, so do with with it as you wish... within reason.
As long as you're being responsible and covering whatever bills you may have and other necessary expenses first, then use what ypu can spare for whstever else you may want. If you do that as is, they have nothing to bitch about. If not, then you should start saving.

What do you do with your own money is your own decision,
well unless you're a child below 18 working.(child stars) etc.
money is not really yours. so the parents do decide what to do with it

Financial responsibility is a huge part of being an adult, and I have seen plenty of people squander away their paychecks on games that they play for a week and then forget, or trade in. That said, it doesn't sound like you're living paycheck to paycheck and have a stable head on your shoulders. If you are able to purchase an item that you want, without having to sacrifice paying bills, or buying necessities then go for it. The paycheck has your name on it for a reason, you worked hard to earn that money, no reason you shouldn't enjoy it.

Regarding the economical stance on it, money not spent is pretty much useless. The money you spend buying games trickles down to the employees working at the game store, the distributor, the developers, etc. By spending money you are putting money in the pockets of other people who work hard, and then they do the same by spending their hard earned money. As more people do this more jobs become needed as demand rises supply needs to be met and thus the basis of our economy is shown.

Your money is yours to spend.

HOWEVER, it sounds like are still living at home. This means some of your expenses are shouldered by your parents. Spending your money for non-essentials is, essentially, leeching off them. Show a little consideration and spend your money wisely rather than blowing it on games then expecting your parents to spend their money to house and feed you.

If you are living independently, you still won't get completely away with "it's my money, I'll spend it on games if I want and you can't tell me what to do" mentality. They're parents. They want you to spend wiselt because they care. If they didn't care, they wouldn't say anything. I dunno about you, but I like parents that care, even if they get intrusive, as opposed to parents who honestly don't give a shit. Saying "it's my money, piss off" is just being a douchebag.

This is not even considering that saving is, well, actually good advice. When you're young you think you'll live forever and tend to live for the moment, but, really, saving money in case you suddenly get run over by a car or something is just good sense.

You sound like you already know the money is yours to spend how you like.

Other than sustaining yourself, spending on luxuries that help you relax feels good. I believe once it is within reason it is fine.

Reason eg: whenever my sister got her paycheck, she would stop at the mall on the way home and buy a shirt or something. That was not reasonable, and she cannot afford to do that anymore.

I think the rent/contributing point is a good one. I live with family and though I do not pay rent, I do buy groceries, house supplies and such. Also when I had a full time job I saved most of the money and now that I am not fully employed I can live off my savings between jobs.