Do you all ever get jealous of non-savers?
- Thread starter mrskay9
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I apologize. I should've maybe used the words "spenders" instead of "non-savers". I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone.
I would Probably be living in debt and fear of creditors everyday if not for my dh. He's really taught me a lot about money.
This wdw trip next year is really the first thing I've ever really SAVED up for. I know, I'm fortunate. I've worked hard to pay for things along the way, but I've never SAVED for it.
I only work part time too now that I have my 2.5yo dd. It's been hard for me to adjust living w/in my means now that my means are a lot less than they were before. Not that I would change it for the world.
I just see our relatives spending like crazy, and no, they don't have a college fund for their boys. And they pay $1800 a month RENT for their 2 bedroom apt in a big city. Just bought a new car, and asked to borrow money from US for a down payment on a house (probably twice the size of ours!)
I sincerely thank everyone for their stories. Each and every one of them. They made me see things in a different light and also that I"m not the only one who sees Green every once in a while.
I would Probably be living in debt and fear of creditors everyday if not for my dh. He's really taught me a lot about money.
This wdw trip next year is really the first thing I've ever really SAVED up for. I know, I'm fortunate. I've worked hard to pay for things along the way, but I've never SAVED for it.
I only work part time too now that I have my 2.5yo dd. It's been hard for me to adjust living w/in my means now that my means are a lot less than they were before. Not that I would change it for the world.
I just see our relatives spending like crazy, and no, they don't have a college fund for their boys. And they pay $1800 a month RENT for their 2 bedroom apt in a big city. Just bought a new car, and asked to borrow money from US for a down payment on a house (probably twice the size of ours!)
I sincerely thank everyone for their stories. Each and every one of them. They made me see things in a different light and also that I"m not the only one who sees Green every once in a while.
You might want to see if you area has a 'freecycle' goup. These are groups recently started on yahoo, and you can post things you have that you want to get rid of and other people that need those things come and get them. One just started in my area a month or so ago and it is very popular. Great way to keep all that 'stuff' out of landfills.
I so agree with you about the DO gifts. I think it is much more important for the kids to have the memory of the time spent with you DOing something, rather than just getting another toy to add to their collection. I try to get my relatives to DO things with my kids rather than buy another present, but they don't really 'get it'.
tink2dw
Pixie Dust or Bust!!
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Yes, alittle. When I read about Dis'ers going 3 and 4 times a year. And I can only manage to go once a decade.
One little used money saver is used, used, used cars,not bought from a car lot. I have never bought a NEW car, so I speak with some knowledge. Explaination: 10 years ago we bought a house $79,000. the newest car we had ever had $4000. a Taraus Wagon with the kid sets facing to the rear. We were doing really well. For about 4 months Then BAM!!!
everything changed
We were only getting half of what DH had been making. We had to go into Chapter 13 to save the house and car, so Dh could get to work.
I had alway budgeted our bills, bought store brands, and make do with less, and bargain shopped.
We had enough to pay the mortgage but, had to choose between paying the Electric or the heat or the water bill. There was NO food budget.
I had to go to Salvation Army, The Sunshine charity,and Vincent De Paul for food. And was every grateful I could feed my little girl.[I have always lived in the NW, I had never even heard of Blackeyed Peas,let alone know how to cook them,I must have done it wrong,because they tasted like mud?]
Well the $4000. dollar Taraus died 9 months after we bought.
We had to have a car. I stated looking thru the want ads from the papers Dh found laying around the lobby after work. I found a 1989 Chevy Caviler FOR $500.00. We checked it out. Found it to be a very good running car. A son had bought his parents a new car and was selling their old car. But as a back up we got AAA. This Chevy just runs and runs!!
For a 2nd car we bought a station wagon for $200. it ran for 6mo.,but I wasn't out $4000.00. Then we bought $500. talking car. it ran for 4yrs,it's favorite phase that cracked me up was,
THE DOOR IS A-JAR.
Now Dh looks for cars from the nieghborhood machanics who fix and sell cars,We currently have a Mercury Topaz,$500. it's need Radidator $75., friend helped Dh replace it,then it needed a $90. Starter, in 5 years.
We run the cars till they need major repairs, then find another
$500. car.
The budget part is that we still haven't spent $4000. for any of the used,used,used cars and repairs they have needed in the last 10 years. And nowhere near what a new car would cost us.
Or had $250.00 or more a month payments.
One little used money saver is used, used, used cars,not bought from a car lot. I have never bought a NEW car, so I speak with some knowledge. Explaination: 10 years ago we bought a house $79,000. the newest car we had ever had $4000. a Taraus Wagon with the kid sets facing to the rear. We were doing really well. For about 4 months Then BAM!!!
everything changed
We were only getting half of what DH had been making. We had to go into Chapter 13 to save the house and car, so Dh could get to work.
I had alway budgeted our bills, bought store brands, and make do with less, and bargain shopped.
We had enough to pay the mortgage but, had to choose between paying the Electric or the heat or the water bill. There was NO food budget.
I had to go to Salvation Army, The Sunshine charity,and Vincent De Paul for food. And was every grateful I could feed my little girl.[I have always lived in the NW, I had never even heard of Blackeyed Peas,let alone know how to cook them,I must have done it wrong,because they tasted like mud?]
Well the $4000. dollar Taraus died 9 months after we bought.
We had to have a car. I stated looking thru the want ads from the papers Dh found laying around the lobby after work. I found a 1989 Chevy Caviler FOR $500.00. We checked it out. Found it to be a very good running car. A son had bought his parents a new car and was selling their old car. But as a back up we got AAA. This Chevy just runs and runs!!
For a 2nd car we bought a station wagon for $200. it ran for 6mo.,but I wasn't out $4000.00. Then we bought $500. talking car. it ran for 4yrs,it's favorite phase that cracked me up was,
THE DOOR IS A-JAR.
Now Dh looks for cars from the nieghborhood machanics who fix and sell cars,We currently have a Mercury Topaz,$500. it's need Radidator $75., friend helped Dh replace it,then it needed a $90. Starter, in 5 years.
We run the cars till they need major repairs, then find another
$500. car.
The budget part is that we still haven't spent $4000. for any of the used,used,used cars and repairs they have needed in the last 10 years. And nowhere near what a new car would cost us.
Or had $250.00 or more a month payments.
disneysteve
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ABSOLUTELY TRUE! There have even been studies done that document this. I think Jean Chatzky discussed this in her last book. That's why we go to Disney every year!
I'll bet my DD can't remember more than one or two gifts she got for her birthday last September (if she can recall any at all). But if you ask about her last trip to Disney in November, she'll tell you all about what rides she liked, where we ate, where we stayed, etc. And it isn't just Disney, of course. We went to Niagra Falls 3 years ago. Just the other day she asked if we could go back sometime because there were a few things she'd like to do again - and she was only 5 then.Memories don't break or wear out, don't need batteries and don't take up space or gather dust. You never have to pack them up to sell or give away. They are yours to treasure forever. And they don't even have to be expensive - a lot of them are free. Having stuff will never be better than DOING stuff.
I will admit that I am often jealous of some of my friends who "have" more stuff than we do. I know (with my head) that a lot of them have high credit card debt, no retirement and no college funds for their kids, but my emotions do get carried away sometimes.
Then there are times when I have a moment of clarity and I realize that I "have" a lot more than others do. I have a healthy child, supportive spouse and the best parents anyone could ask for. We are able to travel usually once every year. We have two cars for two drivers. We will be able to pay for private school for our DS, although we only have one child and that is part of the reason. I also have a retirement fund and pension and my DS has a college fund.
I have a good friend who is around my age and has kids around the same age as my DS. We are both in the same profession. I, however, chose to leave private (law) practice to work for the government so that I could have a child. She remained in the private sector and now has her own small law practice. She makes WAY more money than I do. She drives a Lexus, I drive a Toyota.
However, even though she does not have a mortgage (she still lives with her parents), and she makes more money than I do, she carries thousands in credit card debt (I have no CC debt). She shops compulsively because she is under so much stress all the time. She works 6 days a week and leaves child rearing to her mother. She believes that she can make up for this lost time with her kids by buying them expensive clothes and toys.
We have lunch weekly and I'll tell you that I am not the unhappy one at the lunch table. No, my life is not perfect and we struggle financially, emotionally and otherwise. But the fact that my friend has more money than I do has NOT put her in a better situation than me. In fact, she is more stressed out than I have ever been.
She also takes vacations without her kids. My DS will have gone to DL three times by the time she relents to taking her kids once. (But hey, they'll probably stay at the Grand Californian while we'll stay at Embassy Suites down the road.)
Seeing how she lives her life reminds me that I have made some good choices in my life and that I should be grateful for the things and people that I have. And I am.
Life is a struggle, but anything worth having is worth fighting for.
Thanks for a great post!
Then there are times when I have a moment of clarity and I realize that I "have" a lot more than others do. I have a healthy child, supportive spouse and the best parents anyone could ask for. We are able to travel usually once every year. We have two cars for two drivers. We will be able to pay for private school for our DS, although we only have one child and that is part of the reason. I also have a retirement fund and pension and my DS has a college fund.
I have a good friend who is around my age and has kids around the same age as my DS. We are both in the same profession. I, however, chose to leave private (law) practice to work for the government so that I could have a child. She remained in the private sector and now has her own small law practice. She makes WAY more money than I do. She drives a Lexus, I drive a Toyota.
However, even though she does not have a mortgage (she still lives with her parents), and she makes more money than I do, she carries thousands in credit card debt (I have no CC debt). She shops compulsively because she is under so much stress all the time. She works 6 days a week and leaves child rearing to her mother. She believes that she can make up for this lost time with her kids by buying them expensive clothes and toys.
We have lunch weekly and I'll tell you that I am not the unhappy one at the lunch table. No, my life is not perfect and we struggle financially, emotionally and otherwise. But the fact that my friend has more money than I do has NOT put her in a better situation than me. In fact, she is more stressed out than I have ever been.
She also takes vacations without her kids. My DS will have gone to DL three times by the time she relents to taking her kids once. (But hey, they'll probably stay at the Grand Californian while we'll stay at Embassy Suites down the road.)
Seeing how she lives her life reminds me that I have made some good choices in my life and that I should be grateful for the things and people that I have. And I am.
Life is a struggle, but anything worth having is worth fighting for.
Thanks for a great post!
weezer64
Earning My Ears
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Now......can you be a spender AND a saver? LOL 
DH and I have been debt free for almost two years. No mortgage (and I'm not even 40 yet), no credit cards (if we can't save and pay cash for it, we don't want it bad enough), 2 car loans and put money into a retirement account. Oh...and DD goes to a private school.
NOW........
We have a set amount taken out of his paycheck and direct deposited into a savings account with no ATM access to curtail the impulse buys. It has worked out very well. In fact it was almost effortless saving up for our upcoming Disney vacation next month because the money never enters our hands.
BUT let me clarify this. It's because Disney happened to be our priority this year. Next year we might settle on a much less expensive vacation and redo one of the bedrooms or get a granite countertop in my kitchen. It's all about the decisions we make. I haven't been to Disney since New Years Day 1991. It's been awhile and this year I'm making it a priority.
I am a huuuuuuge bargain hunter, but I don't necessarily equate Walmart and Target with bargains. I'm not trying to sound prudish here...but I won't buy clothes from any discount chain. I used to...until I learned how to REALLY bargain shop! Why spend the same money for clothes that shrink funny, fade horribly from these stores, when I can spend LESS at Lord & Taylor on a pair of Polo or Tommy jeans?? I love designer clothes, to me isn't about "keeping up with the Jones", it's about quality and style. I spent $116 this past weekend and got 2 pairs of designer jeans, 2 pairs of designer shorts, and 9 designer tops. I paid 70% off of the sales prices on the tag. I buy all of my 4 year old DD's clothes there as well. DH doesn't like designer....he'll take Wrangler jeans from Target and *gulp* Zubaz if he can find them.
I also prefer to drive newer cars....again, not to keep up with the Jones' but I like the change of scenery! LOL We have things that I think are nice...a big screen HDTV with a nice surround sound system. I love to cook and recently purchased a $2500 stove from Sears. ALL CASH. DH said if I wanted it I would save. I SAVED!
But then..............SPEND! LOL I love a good shopping spree!
Now spenders who DON'T save? My BIL. He won a lawsuit about 4 years ago that would have had him set for life. Instead he wanted to whoop it up and he is now on his 2nd mortgage on his home, came down with MS and is unable to work....but still spends waaaaay beyond his means. He sees DH and I and makes the "rich" comments and "if I need money I know who to turn to" comments.
Believe me, we are NOT rich!
On the other side of the scale I know a couple that likes to flaunt their possessions. They drive a Hummer (for WHAT practical purpose do you need a HUMMER???), and don't have time to be bothered with bargain hunting. They will pay FULL price and not bat an eye. But you are expected to OOOH and AAAA over their prized possessions. The wife will go to L&T with me and pay full retail price, let's say a pair of Tommy's for $60 while I'm in the clearance racks looking for my great deals. She'll whip out her L&T charge....I'll be OFFERED a L&T charge to save an additional 10%. I refuse and I'll always say, "nope! If I can't pay cash for it, I can't afford it!"
You'd all probably gasp if I told you what DH made.....I think it's about average for a blue collar worker. I am a SAHM.
I think you can have your cake AND eat it too!
I consider myself very lucky to have a DH who is good at saving for us to be able to be in the situation we are in today. I also realize that with the way things are today that things may not stay this way forever and I have to enjoy it while I can while also preparing for the future.
To answer the question though: Do I get jealous?
NO
DH and I have been debt free for almost two years. No mortgage (and I'm not even 40 yet), no credit cards (if we can't save and pay cash for it, we don't want it bad enough), 2 car loans and put money into a retirement account. Oh...and DD goes to a private school.
NOW........
We have a set amount taken out of his paycheck and direct deposited into a savings account with no ATM access to curtail the impulse buys. It has worked out very well. In fact it was almost effortless saving up for our upcoming Disney vacation next month because the money never enters our hands.
BUT let me clarify this. It's because Disney happened to be our priority this year. Next year we might settle on a much less expensive vacation and redo one of the bedrooms or get a granite countertop in my kitchen. It's all about the decisions we make. I haven't been to Disney since New Years Day 1991. It's been awhile and this year I'm making it a priority.
I am a huuuuuuge bargain hunter, but I don't necessarily equate Walmart and Target with bargains. I'm not trying to sound prudish here...but I won't buy clothes from any discount chain. I used to...until I learned how to REALLY bargain shop! Why spend the same money for clothes that shrink funny, fade horribly from these stores, when I can spend LESS at Lord & Taylor on a pair of Polo or Tommy jeans?? I love designer clothes, to me isn't about "keeping up with the Jones", it's about quality and style. I spent $116 this past weekend and got 2 pairs of designer jeans, 2 pairs of designer shorts, and 9 designer tops. I paid 70% off of the sales prices on the tag. I buy all of my 4 year old DD's clothes there as well. DH doesn't like designer....he'll take Wrangler jeans from Target and *gulp* Zubaz if he can find them.
I also prefer to drive newer cars....again, not to keep up with the Jones' but I like the change of scenery! LOL We have things that I think are nice...a big screen HDTV with a nice surround sound system. I love to cook and recently purchased a $2500 stove from Sears. ALL CASH. DH said if I wanted it I would save. I SAVED!
But then..............SPEND! LOL I love a good shopping spree!
Now spenders who DON'T save? My BIL. He won a lawsuit about 4 years ago that would have had him set for life. Instead he wanted to whoop it up and he is now on his 2nd mortgage on his home, came down with MS and is unable to work....but still spends waaaaay beyond his means. He sees DH and I and makes the "rich" comments and "if I need money I know who to turn to" comments.
Believe me, we are NOT rich!
On the other side of the scale I know a couple that likes to flaunt their possessions. They drive a Hummer (for WHAT practical purpose do you need a HUMMER???), and don't have time to be bothered with bargain hunting. They will pay FULL price and not bat an eye. But you are expected to OOOH and AAAA over their prized possessions. The wife will go to L&T with me and pay full retail price, let's say a pair of Tommy's for $60 while I'm in the clearance racks looking for my great deals. She'll whip out her L&T charge....I'll be OFFERED a L&T charge to save an additional 10%. I refuse and I'll always say, "nope! If I can't pay cash for it, I can't afford it!"
You'd all probably gasp if I told you what DH made.....I think it's about average for a blue collar worker. I am a SAHM.
I think you can have your cake AND eat it too!
I consider myself very lucky to have a DH who is good at saving for us to be able to be in the situation we are in today. I also realize that with the way things are today that things may not stay this way forever and I have to enjoy it while I can while also preparing for the future. To answer the question though: Do I get jealous?
NO
I agree 100% about bargain hunting in the expensive stores. Once it's last years style, the people whi shop at L&T don't want it and it get drastically redced in price. Walmart and Target generally (and I am generalizing here people) just have poorly made clothes that do not last.
I also wanted to add that consignment shops (generally those that are close to richer areas) are a great source of fabulous and extremely cheap designer clothing. I've bought stuff that still had original price tags on it for 90% off the price listed. I've also bought lot's of pre-owned clothes. If you don't have a hang up about wearing second hand clothes (which I don't cause nobody knows but me) this is the BEST way to shop (paricularly for dressy outfits which were probably only worn once or twice before their owner lost/gained weight).
I also wanted to add that consignment shops (generally those that are close to richer areas) are a great source of fabulous and extremely cheap designer clothing. I've bought stuff that still had original price tags on it for 90% off the price listed. I've also bought lot's of pre-owned clothes. If you don't have a hang up about wearing second hand clothes (which I don't cause nobody knows but me) this is the BEST way to shop (paricularly for dressy outfits which were probably only worn once or twice before their owner lost/gained weight).
Something I've learned is that I can't judge a person's income.
I know someone who doesn't have a good income. His wife has a slightly better one, but they don't make much at all. They take regular international trips. But they have no debt.
He does have wealthy parents who fund expensive vacations.
I know a lot of people who get money from sources other than their jobs - stock investments, trust funds, inherietence and parental gifts.
Sometimes the Lexus isn't new - its dad's two year old Lexus sold to them for what most of us would by an eight year old Honda Civic for - but in such good shape that - unless you had the conversation - you'd never know.
A family whose house was bought as a wedding gift from mom and dad have a lot more to spend on stuff without a mortgage.
Likewise, its hard to judge expenses by "stuff." A family that seems to make a lot of money, but drives an older car may be saving it. Or they may be tithing it to their church. They make have child support payments going out to someone's first family. They may still be in recovery mode from a job loss a few years ago. A family with a lot of nice things may not be buying it for full price - gifts, bargains, perks from work, knowing someone in the business, can have you aquire stuff for a fraction of the cost.
I'm not a stuff person. My husband is. And I have a weakness for a few things (books). To a certain extent, I have the non-jealous reaction to "stuff" people - "Agh! you spent that money and now you have to dust it!"
I know someone who doesn't have a good income. His wife has a slightly better one, but they don't make much at all. They take regular international trips. But they have no debt.
He does have wealthy parents who fund expensive vacations.
I know a lot of people who get money from sources other than their jobs - stock investments, trust funds, inherietence and parental gifts.
Sometimes the Lexus isn't new - its dad's two year old Lexus sold to them for what most of us would by an eight year old Honda Civic for - but in such good shape that - unless you had the conversation - you'd never know.
A family whose house was bought as a wedding gift from mom and dad have a lot more to spend on stuff without a mortgage.
Likewise, its hard to judge expenses by "stuff." A family that seems to make a lot of money, but drives an older car may be saving it. Or they may be tithing it to their church. They make have child support payments going out to someone's first family. They may still be in recovery mode from a job loss a few years ago. A family with a lot of nice things may not be buying it for full price - gifts, bargains, perks from work, knowing someone in the business, can have you aquire stuff for a fraction of the cost.
I'm not a stuff person. My husband is. And I have a weakness for a few things (books). To a certain extent, I have the non-jealous reaction to "stuff" people - "Agh! you spent that money and now you have to dust it!"
weezer64
Earning My Ears
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You make some very good points and I've notices many similar circumstances.
But the one I liked the most was the quote posted above!
LOL I love picture frames, unique and ON SALE. But this is my thought process everytime I purchase one........."There's another dust collector!"lucy_love_
DIS Veteran
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hi
i have heard this being refered to as bangernomics over here. where you use it until it dies and then replace it. its been said to be a good way to save money and cost less than buying new (newish) and keeping them going.
love
lucy
Ronda93
DIS Veteran
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We live well, but have modest expenses. We're able to save around 20% of our gross incomes. When I say save, I mean savings account, IRA, 401k... do others include the tax deferred savings in their "savings" figure? I'd really like to know.
I read an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal about bankruptcy becoming more common for baby boomers. It used to be the domain of the young and foolish. Now it's graying. Most of the examples were downsized. Some had lived at the edge of their means in the salad days and couldn't meet their obligations with the reduced income. Others had medical bills that could not be over come.
Here's the interesting part, because they had built up some assets, many of the later in life bankruptcy filers made the fundamental error of draining retirement plans (they would be protected from judgement, see ex. OJ) and mortgaging the house to the hilt (mortgage obligations are not relieved by bankruptcy) before conceding defeat and filing. Not that anyone plans to file bankruptcy, but don't touch retirement for anything but retirement!!
I read an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal about bankruptcy becoming more common for baby boomers. It used to be the domain of the young and foolish. Now it's graying. Most of the examples were downsized. Some had lived at the edge of their means in the salad days and couldn't meet their obligations with the reduced income. Others had medical bills that could not be over come.
Here's the interesting part, because they had built up some assets, many of the later in life bankruptcy filers made the fundamental error of draining retirement plans (they would be protected from judgement, see ex. OJ) and mortgaging the house to the hilt (mortgage obligations are not relieved by bankruptcy) before conceding defeat and filing. Not that anyone plans to file bankruptcy, but don't touch retirement for anything but retirement!!
disneysteve
DIS meet junkie
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I do. My 16-18% savings figure that I gave earlier includes retirement accounts, college savings, and general non-retirement investments. It also includes money going to pre-pay student loans beyond the required payment.
This is an important point. Just because you can afford something doesn't mean you should. It is insane to live beyond your means but it is also quite dangerous to live AT your means. If you spend all that you earn, what happens if your income drops or an unexpected expense arises? You're screwed! I could lose 18% of my current income without changing our current lifestyle one bit. All that would happen is we would be forced to stop funding our investment accounts.
I was out of work a few years ago. Fortunately, I was only out for 3 months but we suspended our investing and lived off our savings. Far too many people would need to go straight to the credit cards if they were unemployed for any period of time because they don't put anything away for emergencies or for the future.
disneysteve
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I know a couple of guys who are more mechanically inclined than me (which isn't too difficult). They buy really cheap used cars (under $1000), keep them for 6 months or so doing some minor fix-up stuff along the way, then sell the cars for as much or more than they bought them for and start over with another one. So they basically own their cars for free. Not such a bad deal when you think about it. Once in a while they get a real lemon and end up junking it but they come out ahead far more often.
I had one of those talking cars. It was a 1982 Datsun Maxima. Too bad they don't do that anymore. It was fun.
canwegosoon
DIS Veteran
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Great thread...My favorite saying is "Money buys Choices" Our money has brought 3 homes/DVC. I do not have a IRA, and no college savings plans for my children. ...it's ok I have a plan. My realestate is in Resort waterfront areas, and is used as rental income (and a great tax deduction too). For what we paid for it, it has now doubled or better in less than 5years. I could not make the purchases now that I did then, I am out priced in the market.
My DH makes a nice salary, and I have been a SAHM for the past 6 years. I went to college at night (paid mostly cash/credit), and had to have $12,000 worth of dental work the past 2 years. So currently we are in debt at (0%) until next May. We used to have 9 mos emg. svgs, but that is long gone. I am hoping to go back to work this month, and my DH st. loans are ending in Nov (and they exceed our primary home), things are looking up.
Getting back to the OP post am I jealous?.....sometimes, but many times I am hurt. My friends can weild alot of disposable cash, and treat me like a poor cousin, when I don't want to spend the same way. I get sick when they make comments when they say "how they know I will be disappointed with their choices" but what they fail to realize is in my first line.....Money buys choices, and they have a right to those choices. I have stopped offering advice how they can save money....and they now come and ask "what would I do" since some of their DH's salaries have decreased by 2/3.
I wish every one lots of luck in their own financial quests. And good luck saving/becoming debt free...I am fighting the battle with you
My DH makes a nice salary, and I have been a SAHM for the past 6 years. I went to college at night (paid mostly cash/credit), and had to have $12,000 worth of dental work the past 2 years. So currently we are in debt at (0%) until next May. We used to have 9 mos emg. svgs, but that is long gone. I am hoping to go back to work this month, and my DH st. loans are ending in Nov (and they exceed our primary home), things are looking up.
Getting back to the OP post am I jealous?.....sometimes, but many times I am hurt. My friends can weild alot of disposable cash, and treat me like a poor cousin, when I don't want to spend the same way. I get sick when they make comments when they say "how they know I will be disappointed with their choices" but what they fail to realize is in my first line.....Money buys choices, and they have a right to those choices. I have stopped offering advice how they can save money....and they now come and ask "what would I do" since some of their DH's salaries have decreased by 2/3.
I wish every one lots of luck in their own financial quests. And good luck saving/becoming debt free...I am fighting the battle with you
sweet maxine
DIS Veteran
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- 2,214
Lots of people here in this area live way beyond their means. I'm sure of it. Our banker told my DH that he goes to the country club (we're not members there, we save that money!), and people are constantly avoiding him. They know they are behind on payments on loans, but are living it up at the club! They are driving the best cars, live in really nice homes, have really nice furniture, send their kids to private school, buy their 16 y/o kids really nice cars to drive to school, and it goes on and on......
People may think that the Mississippi delta is an impoverished area, but not according to what goes on around here. It's hard to explain to my own 16 y/o twins, who will be driving a Camry we bought (with over 250k miles) to school. Most of the other kids have much newer cars with all the bells and whistles. We put a bit of money into the Toyota for them, and I believe it will be good to go for a while. My kids know the alternative for them is NO transportation.
We do save, and have money put away for college for the twins. We also have retirement savings as well. My kids know that I won't try to "keep up with the Jones". They just don't always understand why so-and-so has and we don't.
People may think that the Mississippi delta is an impoverished area, but not according to what goes on around here. It's hard to explain to my own 16 y/o twins, who will be driving a Camry we bought (with over 250k miles) to school. Most of the other kids have much newer cars with all the bells and whistles. We put a bit of money into the Toyota for them, and I believe it will be good to go for a while. My kids know the alternative for them is NO transportation.
We do save, and have money put away for college for the twins. We also have retirement savings as well. My kids know that I won't try to "keep up with the Jones". They just don't always understand why so-and-so has and we don't.
Kristi1357
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2000
- Messages
- 4,477
I just have to say that this thread has inspired me to try to save even more! I think we do pretty well on that front already, but there's always room for improvement, right?
naominpaul
Can you RELAX at WDW?...I'm going for it!!!
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2004
- Messages
- 74
We are working HARD to break bad habits we had for years and reading these words has helped tremendously!..........We do have debt, lots of it, but are NOT adding to it! I can say that with a smile since we recently sat down and did a financial (really a debt) review and found us in $10,000 less debt! I'm proud of us. We're still working hard though, breaking those habits! I've recently found myself doing the "really wish I would have gone to medical school", "wish that business venture had worked out". That's why I'm so thankful for your comments. They have changed my wishes to THANK YOUs. Thank you for our childrens' health, thank you for our family and friends, thanks for our good jobs and thanks for a trip to Disney in January that will NOT go on the credit card! The trip is about half way paid for out of SAVINGS, not future earnings!
We have about 10% of our incomes (a little more) going into deferred savings - retirement.
We have about 15% of our incomes going into prepay savings (in this case, additional mortgage payments).
We have 20% of our incomes going into short term savings (vacations, cars, refrigerators, the rather large twice a year tax bill).
We have about 10% of our incomes going towards long term savings (college funds).
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