You are right. I know 'cause I am a south Indian and I a person as you stated above. Just the diference is that we South Indians spend pretty well when in India and try to a little thrify when we are abrode. This is to make sure that we bring back something substantial in a short period like an year or 2 and belive me I am helping some of my collegues from North to make them learn how to improve their savings when in abrode. They are pretty happy with my strategies. I feel there is nothing wrong in being a good Manager of your own hard earned money. That is why even god (Krishna) tell us the value of each grain of rice