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[Kathi OD]

I have a saying that I repeat to myself anytime I think that things aren't going well.


As bad as I might think it is, someone has it MUCH worse...guaranteed.

I went through 7 years of infertility (my high drama phase) just sitting in the doctors waiting room hearing all of the women's stories would put me right into perspective. Yes I didn't have what I wanted but I wasn't not suffering through miscariage after miscariage.

Every night I go to sleep in a bed, warm, safe and fed....that should be enough.

Lisa

Truer words were never written!!

My DH was out of work for just over 2 years. His unemployment was about 1/3 of his previous take-home salary. While he was unemployed, I had to have surgery for uterine cancer and was on disability that paid about 1/2 of my salary for close to 3 months. Was it a tough time for us financially and emotionally? YEP, you bet it was. But, EVERY SINGLE DAY. I could think of at least one person we knew who was worse off than us in some way.

I swear that single thought is what got us through those tough times.

 

[bas71873]

WHY are some people's cell phone bills so high? I'm really just curious. I have a blackberry curve, have unlimited everything....email, internet, texting and I pay, taxes and all, $74/month? What causes bills to run in the hundreds?

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I really find it hard to believe that she gets $400 for two people.

My mom gets $200.00 per month for one person.

She doesn't need all of it, and what is left over gets rolled over to the next month. I finally convinced her to stockpile some things in case she loses the benefit. She however truly needs the help.

 

[marcyinPA]

WHY are some people's cell phone bills so high? I'm really just curious. I have a blackberry curve, have unlimited everything....email, internet, texting and I pay, taxes and all, $74/month? What causes bills to run in the hundreds?

We have ATT, three phones, no internet, unlimited texting (family plan), 700 minutes plus roll-over...and we pay about $126 a month. It kills me to write the check, but for us, the phones really are a necessity.

 

[tonilea]

Wants vs. needs is something we have been trying to teach DS since he was old enough to say, "I need....!"

 

[PatsMom]

That has always been my mantra.. Even if you don't see in right in your own little corner of the world (neighborhood), all you have to do is watch the news - or read the posts here where people are battling cancer; have very ill children; etc...

Always, always, always someone worse off somewhere..

I have cancer and I still think there are people a lot worse off than me. I am blessed with decent medical insurance and access to quality health care so I can fight this disease. I have a supportive family and friends. I have a paid for house, an adequate income, an emergency fund to cover a possible extended period of disability if I have to have radical surgery. So many with a disease like cancer are facing financial ruin in addition to battling a life threatening disease. I guess it really makes you grateful for what you have.

 

[C.Ann]

I have cancer and I still think there are people a lot worse off than me. I am blessed with decent medical insurance and access to quality health care so I can fight this disease. I have a supportive family and friends. I have a paid for house, an adequate income, an emergency fund to cover a possible extended period of disability if I have to have radical surgery. So many with a disease like cancer are facing financial ruin in addition to battling a life threatening disease. I guess it really makes you grateful for what you have.

That's a wonderful attitude to have - and I'm sure that it will go a long way in helping you battle the beast..

May you continue to do well and report back to us soon that you are cancer free!!!!!

Please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers..

 

[PatsMom]

That's a wonderful attitude to have - and I'm sure that it will go a long way in helping you battle the beast..

May you continue to do well and report back to us soon that you are cancer free!!!!!

Please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers..

Thank you - I need all the prayers I can get! When I was diagnosed I just made a conscious decision that sitting around with a bad case of the "Oh poor me's" wasn't going to accomplish anything. So I have tried to keep myself positive!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have cancer and I still think there are people a lot worse off than me. I am blessed with decent medical insurance and access to quality health care so I can fight this disease. I have a supportive family and friends. I have a paid for house, an adequate income, an emergency fund to cover a possible extended period of disability if I have to have radical surgery. So many with a disease like cancer are facing financial ruin in addition to battling a life threatening disease. I guess it really makes you grateful for what you have.

Agree. I could give you a blow by blow of what is going on in my sister's life and we still agreed that it could have been worse. It is really unbelievable at times with the drama.

Currently my sis has taken in her MIL who is dying from cancer.

 

[bas71873]

We have ATT, three phones, no internet, unlimited texting (family plan), 700 minutes plus roll-over...and we pay about $126 a month. It kills me to write the check, but for us, the phones really are a necessity.

OK, I get that and it's 3 phones (divided by 3 it's not a bad deal). I read the OP's original post that here ONE sister's has multiple lines (why?) and her bill is hundreds of dollars. That's crazy to me, but that's just me?

 

[hulagirl87]

I feel the same way. I have moments of "woe is me" but I turn to my faith in those times and snap out of it.

My DH is working two jobs out of necessity right now, and last night I was whining about it....it IS REALLY EXHAUSTING ON ALL OF US.....but then, he pointed out to me how BLESSED he is to have that second job, when some people don't even have ONE job. He's right. I know he's right!

DH was laid off last month and just got his first job interview today. He's there right now! And he also has one for Monday. It has been a tough month but I know that there are people that have it much worse. Right now he and I don't have health insurance so I hope that neither of us get really sick! I have been trying to stay positive for the sake of our daughter. If I didn't have her smiling face to look at day to day, it might be harder.

I pray for my mom who has had it rough from day one. My dad cheated on her leaving her to raise me and my sister when we were 2 and 5. She never remarried, but she was ok with that. My sister and I were her focus. We still are, even at 35 and 38. My sister has mental illnesses and cannot work so my mom has supported her all her life (long stories there, won't bore you with those ) My mom has used all her life savings supporting my sister and her 3 kids and while my mom would like to retire, she knows that she will not be able to do that anytime soon. My mom is an angel and I would like at some point for something to go right for her. She can never catch a break. She is the sweetest woman on earth. Thanks for letting me talk about her

 

[cocodog]

Thanks for your post. Alot of us need that reminder from time to time.

 

[manning]

Could you explain that to my sister? She is getting her food stamps tomorrow. For two people she will get between $390 - 400 for the month. And that's fine, if she needs the help.

Her cell phone is currently just shy of $300 /month. She has multiple numbers and they each have all the bells and whistles possible.

Still though, it's not enough. Her daughter, my neice, wanted a new Droid. So she got it for her. Along with an upgraded internet plan for the 2 new Droids she got. One for herself. She said the new internet plan will add a min. of $25 to her monthly bill.

Granted she herself may very well need a phone for call backs for jobs but a $400+ plan? Internet on the phones when she has the internet at home?

I just cringe because we were not raised like that. We were raised that you meet your needs first and then if you have money you can have some of your wants. Not get your wants and then take charity or handouts for your needs.

But she is entitled to it....or so she thinks!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Needs versus wants.

Needs: Food, shelter, health.

Wants: Flat screen TV. Smartphones (or really even a basic cell phone). $500 purses. $200 blue jeans.

Could you explain that to my sister? She is getting her food stamps tomorrow. For two people she will get between $390 - 400 for the month. And that's fine, if she needs the help.

Her cell phone is currently just shy of $300 /month. She has multiple numbers and they each have all the bells and whistles possible.

Still though, it's not enough. Her daughter, my neice, wanted a new Droid. So she got it for her. Along with an upgraded internet plan for the 2 new Droids she got. One for herself. She said the new internet plan will add a min. of $25 to her monthly bill.

Granted she herself may very well need a phone for call backs for jobs but a $400+ plan? Internet on the phones when she has the internet at home?

I just cringe because we were not raised like that. We were raised that you meet your needs first and then if you have money you can have some of your wants. Not get your wants and then take charity or handouts for your needs.

In the field I'm in there is a lot of discussion about the "digital divide" -- the gap between those who have full-time personal access to the internet and those that do not. I recently have been reading that in just the past year the gap has narrowed massively -- because of smartphones.

What is happening is that people who would never scrounge up money to spend on a computer or home internet access are spending every dime they have to pay for a smartphone (or 3) -- because it is a status symbol. You carry it and people can see it, therefore it is worth stretching for. The side-effect of this keeping up with the Joneses in term of appearance is that now these folks have access to the internet. Go figure.

 

[marcyinPA]

DH was laid off last month and just got his first job interview today. He's there right now! And he also has one for Monday. It has been a tough month but I know that there are people that have it much worse. Right now he and I don't have health insurance so I hope that neither of us get really sick! I have been trying to stay positive for the sake of our daughter. If I didn't have her smiling face to look at day to day, it might be harder.

I pray for my mom who has had it rough from day one. My dad cheated on her leaving her to raise me and my sister when we were 2 and 5. She never remarried, but she was ok with that. My sister and I were her focus. We still are, even at 35 and 38. My sister has mental illnesses and cannot work so my mom has supported her all her life (long stories there, won't bore you with those ) My mom has used all her life savings supporting my sister and her 3 kids and while my mom would like to retire, she knows that she will not be able to do that anytime soon. My mom is an angel and I would like at some point for something to go right for her. She can never catch a break. She is the sweetest woman on earth. Thanks for letting me talk about her

I'm so sorry about your DH. Mine was laid off in February (we've been through three lay-offs in about 13 years), rehired by the same company in April, at a MUCH lower pay rate and a lower position. He is forced to work to jobs in order to make what he was making before he became laid off.

We live every day waiting for the other shoe to drop. His company is not doing great, and he can lose his job again at any time.

Although things are not exactly wonderful here, I do know that others are hurting way more than we are, and I live my life accordingly.

I wish you good things in the coming months....I pray that your DH got that job today!!!