I spent last week reconnecting with old friends, and it felt amazing. My closest group of girlfriends always tries to meet up when I’m around, and we had a wonderful day at the beach, catching up on life and making new memories. While we were there, one of my friends’ husbands jokingly said something like, “Oh, Pauline is wearing her jacket again. Do we need to send you a care package to Guatemala so you can wear something else?”

Here’s the story behind the jacket: I never need it in Guatemala because it’s too warm there. Before heading back for my usual one-month holiday (which you can only dream of), the jacket had been packed away for six months. Before that, I wore it almost daily while traveling across Europe and the US on a motorcycle. For two six-month periods in 2011 and 2012, I covered around 50,000 miles, carrying only what could fit in a side pannier (I had to share the other one with my boyfriend, and the top case was for common items like sleeping bags). So, this jacket has been through a lot with me.

Despite the limited packing space, the jacket is worth it. I happily bought it for $100 in late 2010. It’s made by Columbia, so it’s high quality, light pink, and doesn’t look too outdoorsy for everyday wear. It’s comfortable and fits well, so I don’t see a reason to replace it anytime soon. Meanwhile, in the 30 months since I bought this jacket, my net worth has increased by 87%, and my friend still hasn’t bought his first house. You have to choose your battles wisely.

Every day, we make decisions about where to spend our money. Some purchases are essential for survival like housing, food, clothing, and transportation. Other purchases are personal treats—a cup of coffee, a book, a romantic weekend—that make life enjoyable. I believe in not depriving myself of these little pleasures. Food and travel have always been my top spending priorities, and I don’t hesitate to spend generously on them. On other things, I spend less, avoiding unnecessary expenses.

I’ve lived in a 200-square-foot space, didn’t own a car until I was 28, and have been wearing the same jacket for three years. Yet, I bought my first rental property with cash right after college and used my savings to travel the world for a year. I don’t care about living in a small space or not having a car, or what people think about it. I’m proud that I graduated college with enough savings to buy a flat. It’s puzzling to me why my friend, who is a year older and earns good money, can’t see that every unnecessary purchase is a step away from financial independence.

What about you? Do people criticize any of your frugal habits, or do those around you understand the bigger picture?