A difference in perspective
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
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 Posted: 01/27/04 - 00:39 Post subject:
Very good comments from both sides. While I agree that if you've worked for it, you've earned it, you should do with it as you please, I also feel we are a nation of one-uppers. If our neighbor has a good___ , we need a bigger, better___ even if it puts us in debt. I dislike that attitude.
We have a relative who is the CEO of his company. To sit down and talk to him, you would never know that they are filthy rich. They live in a nice, modest home and drive regular cars. They put two daughters through nice colleges. If I am ever rich, that is how I would like to be.
As for the income suggested--we've been a one-income family for fourteen years. And we are nowhere near that amount. But, as Kristin says, it's about what's important to you. Yes, I miss having a job, and yes the money would be very nice, but I can't whine because that is what I chose. There are a lot of gadgets and neat things we have chosen to put off buying so we can afford living on one income.
What gets me is the amount of food that is served to us in restaurants for an average meal. I've been to some restaurants where my meal alone was more than some families have for their entire household for dinner.
Unbelievable!!!
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omega lambda
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Posted: 01/27/04 - 00:41 Post subject:
| Runner X wrote: | Just so everyone knows, I don't feel guilty about having my basement.
Continue... |
This isn't the "guilt" thread, so unless you are overconsuming in that basement of yours, you're good.
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thegman
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Joined: 23 Sep 2002
Posts: 3088
Location: 12 yards out.
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Posted: 01/27/04 - 02:34 Post subject:
| rtpd113 wrote: |
more money did not change much but we were able to do a lot more things with our money. i.e. set aside more for kids school, take some out for retirement.
it does not create more problems if you talk together how to use it. |
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spongebob
Former FFL Champion
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Joined: 15 May 2002
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Posted: 01/28/04 - 21:36 Post subject:
| jrjo wrote: | | John Stossel had a segment on 20/20 Friday with an economist. His view was anything over $50,000 is all gravy. To get by comfortably in the US today, that's all it takes. Families complaining they can't make ends meet on more than that definitely have plenty of corners they could cut. Made sense to me... |
I really like this idea. By living within your means and staying within the $50,000 you stay grounded in reality and live with less stress. It also frees you up to spend the other half of the 100k on stuff like booze, porn and cigarettes.
Awesome!!!
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elkid
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Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8353
Location: hiding out in Philly
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Posted: 01/29/04 - 10:27 Post subject:
| jrjo wrote: | | John Stossel had a segment on 20/20 Friday with an economist. His view was anything over $50,000 is all gravy. |
Where the hell is he talking about? Podunkville, Utopia? Maybe I'm a little skewed because I can only think in terms of NY-NJ-PA standards of living (aka HIGH), but I can't imagine a family, particularly with kids, living on that. When The Paramedic and I were first married, we barely - I mean, BARELY - got by on my F/T salary and his P/T one, plus the student loans subsidy we got while he attended graduate school. Rent, utilities, student loans, car loan, car insurance, and food took a lot of money. Could I do it again? Probably. I'd rather stick forks in my eyes, though.
Very true that the more you make, the more you spend. We're very comfortable financially, and we've worked, and still work, very hard to ensure our standard of living. We both come from humble backgrounds and wanted much more for ourselves. We didn't buy the huge manor, but a house well within our means. We each have our own car, but not the luxury cars we would've looked sooo sweet in  . Our single biggest investment has been in our education, however. It hurts to sign those checks for my tuition, but I know a dollar spent on my mind today will be worth more than that tomorrow. But if we want something, we buy it or save up for it. I won't feel bad because we work our asses off to have the opportunities we do.
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 01/29/04 - 11:35 Post subject:
| elkid wrote: | | jrjo wrote: | | John Stossel had a segment on 20/20 Friday with an economist. His view was anything over $50,000 is all gravy. |
Where the hell is he talking about? Podunkville, Utopia? Maybe I'm a little skewed because I can only think in terms of NY-NJ-PA standards of living (aka HIGH), but I can't imagine a family, particularly with kids, living on that. |
It is all personal preference of course. I just used an online salary calculator and with my Podunkville salary converted for cost of living in a Philly suburb, I'm feeding/housing a family of 5 on $49,800 in PA dollars. It can be done 
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ShannonG
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Posted: 01/29/04 - 11:39 Post subject:
Elkid makes the good point that growing up a little lean makes you want more for yourself and your family, but that doesn't mean a new Lexus every two years and a wardrobe from Calvin Klein. People who want to live flashy tick me off, and they're usually the ones who have no money. They make lots, and spend more.
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pokychick
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Joined: 02 Oct 2002
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Location: City of Dis
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Posted: 01/29/04 - 11:48 Post subject:
Mr Poky drives what could be construed as a flashy car. It certainly does
not match our clothes nor our home. I'm sure without knowing the situation people make judgements about it. The car, however, was his father's who worked hard all his life. He called the car his retirement present and then wasn't around long enough to enjoy it. 
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bikerdude
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Joined: 28 Nov 2003
Posts: 41
Location: Minnesota
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Posted: 01/29/04 - 12:00 Post subject:
just this ole boys perspective . I,ve been on both sides..Making enough to get by and now making more..the money did not and does not matter . what did matter was having someone special to love,and share what ever came our way
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