To think people are either glass half-full or half-empty when it comes to finances?

[ThatPoisedOtter]

I think people tend to have quite different mindsets when it comes to money - some are more glass half-full, others more glass half-empty.
I’d say I’m definitely more on the cautious side. Even though I’ve built up a decent emergency fund, I still tend to think about “what if” scenarios and like having that buffer there.

AIBU to think this is more of a mindset thing?

Depends what we are talking about? General future anxiety about your money or just thinking numerous thoughts about ifs but you are currently ok and not starving....so some journalling will help and if you are afraid of the future, do some additional training NOW when you have the money in your savings

I definitely think there are natural savers and natural spenders.

I am the former. I have good savings, I am mortgage free, I earn decently. I have always been prudent, but living life as a single person makes me acutely aware there is no fallback if something happens.

I was just reading a thread about money left over from a bonus after the taxman took his wedge. Someone remarked that OP still had enough for a luxury holiday or multiple trips or multiple meals out. Whereas my immediate (and only) thought was "save it" - in fact I did exactly that last year on a significant bonus, diverted the entire lot to my pension. Unsurprisingly, I am on track to retire in my early 50s (I am intending to follow a "BaristaFIRE" strategy).

And to be clear, I live a comfortable life, I don't feel like I go without anything. Spending on "stuff" for the sake of it just seems a bit pointless.

If we had money left then we would save but lucky to have a couple of quid left by paydays, however neither do we have loads, debts etc or owe anyone as we are very firmly in the everything should be paid

I'm definitely in the 'life's too short' category. I have a secure job, a pension, equity in my house and good credit. No savings though. I want to fund my kids hobbies, take them to the cinema, say yes to getting an ice cream or hot dog when out. I can juggle 0% credit if I need to.

I think you can change though. Up until the age of 40 when I met my current DP, I was a definite spender. I had no savings at all and was almost £15K in debt. I wouldn't think twice about putting a holiday on my credit card.

Now nearly 18 years later, I have a good few thousand in my bank and my credit card balance is paid in full every month. I don't like seeing my savings account balance going down so I have definitely changed!

DP didn't pay my debts off for me or anything like that, but he did help me to get some smaller ones written off and set up payment plans for others.

I don’t know if I would say ‘glass half full’ or ‘glass half empty’ because that implies people are either optimistic or pessimistic about their finances. Saving and being cautious doesn’t necessarily mean pessimistic and enjoying spending doesn’t mean optimistic. I think it’s more some have a natural inclination to save and others prefer to spend.