| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 23 2008 : 12:38:59 PM
While it is horrible people are losing their homes and jobs, do you really think we are in a recession or the past few years of living it up, having whatever we want and our cake too have finally caught up to us? I was thinking about this in Walmart while I was buying my medications. People were literally fighting over Easter candy and baskets. I actually saw a Mom spend $300 on candy and junk for Easter. Yes, maybe she has a lot of people to give to, but the daily "gourging" that goes on is amazing to me. People overbought and overextended on homes they knew in the beginning they couldn't afford but the banks gave them the complete mortgage. The daily coffee, food out, weekly clothing binges, $40,000 cars, etc...I think it is really people lifestyle that is in recession,but that impacts our society as a whole.
Just a thought.
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 09:41:42 AM
I read that book and review it :) IT's great. I remember most millionaires don't pay for private schools or expensive suits etc. It really is a good book.
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://ligonierfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirlslonggreen.blogspot.com/
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| La Patite Ferme |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 09:15:20 AM
Many years ago mom and dad gave us kids the book "The Millionaire Next Door", not because they were advocating us being millionaires, but to show us who the true millionaires were and how they got there.
If you ever have a chance to read it, it is well worth the time. It's about a 20 year study on who the millionaires are in this country and they're not who you think they are - suspense building here
There's a couple of ideas that I really like - one of the study subjects was asked by his friends (who knew he had money) why he lived in a modest house, in a middle-class neighborhood instead of the rich part of town - his reply "I'd rather be the wealthiest person on the street living the way I want instead of living surrounded by people who are trying to make me believe they are wealthy."
The other one was - a husband came home one day and told his wife he had just put $800,000 worth of company stock in her name. She looked up from the kitchen table smiled and thanked him then went back to clipping coupons - no doubt farm girl material.
The jist of the whole book was how these families lived within or below their means, shopped wisely, repaired rather than replaced, saved instead of spent and over the long haul became millionaires in the process.
There's a lot of practical info in the book also. It was a real eye opener. |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 08:17:01 AM
DH keeps mentioning big screen, plasma TV's. OH NO! Luckily, it is within our means, but who needs that? I am getting my speech ready, I'd rather save. I really just want the converter box when the big HDTV switch happens.
Trish
Farmgirl Sister #91
Make cupcakes not war!
FREE TIBET! |
| mima |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 07:34:50 AM
This is a geat topic!!! I think we really do need to get back to our basic needs not wants! Maybe a recession/depression may be good for us! Thre was a website mentioned here- The Story of Stuff- that was amazing and I think about it all the time! Hugs!!!!
"No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit." Helen Keller |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 06:25:23 AM
OH haha heather....well I like to talk about purses (my fetish) but I LOVE to say I got it for xyz aka a BARGAIN....some sucker paid retail and I didn't:) LOVE A BARGAIN. I"m a BARGAIN QUEEN!!! lol I love to laugh or poke fun at mean consumers that treat the server or staff poorly. It's so sad how crappy people are. When I waitressed they thought I was a slave...and I gave attitude back I'm a human first....if you forgot let me remind you. People would grab your arm or you.....OH HECK NO (with attitude voice). It's just so amazing how society is. YES I am not perfect and I get suckered into it. BUT I realize what is important. If I lost my possessions I'd LIVE!!!!! Yeah I am falling behind on knowing what's in. oopsie
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://ligonierfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirlslonggreen.blogspot.com/
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| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 06:10:55 AM
Yes, Bridget, I hate when people put you down when you don't have the latest gadget or worse, even heard of it. I also hate when I am at work and I don't know what show or movie they are talking about. I don't do horror, weirdo or reality tv. Just ain't my thang!!! But ask them if they read a book lately and they look stunned!!I also hate "label" droppers- like "this is my x,y,z, purse and I shop at Spacey's, my hair cost me x $$$ at salon du jour..." I really hate that...I honestly started laughing hysterically the other day at Starbucks. I was using my gift certificate from last August (yes, it takes me that long) and there was a girl no older than 10 ordering a something something venti something with a something...for herself!! Well, I guess they messed up and she had a hissy fit and then the mother got in on the action. 10 I tell ya..10!!! I just started laughing and told the girl if she messed up my order, I was going to go get my mom and have a meltdown in the middle of the store. She laughed as did the guy behind me!!!
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 05:26:48 AM
What gets me is people telling you what you should HAVE?!!! I started saying ok yeah if you're gonna pay for it :-p shuts em up!
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://ligonierfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirlslonggreen.blogspot.com/
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| Mumof3 |
Posted - Mar 24 2008 : 05:02:54 AM
Heather- I think you are right on the money. lol It's our not only trying to keep up with the Joneses, but trying to outdo them that has caused this terrible mess. I hope they wake up soon!!
Thank goodness for the farmgirls! They never make fun of my attempts to economize, be self-sufficient, self-reliant and make my family comfortable with what we have. It's nice to be a part of such level-headed women. :)
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
Wherever you go, there you are.
www.madrekarin.blogspot.com |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Mar 23 2008 : 9:42:38 PM
My Best-Friend's DH just landed his dream job. Big raise included. He is dreaming of paying off their debt and living debt free for a while.
She just sees dollar signs and thinks of a new mini van (she drives a small SUV that is 6 years old, and has 50,000 miles on it. Still plenty of life in it.) quitting her job (that they still need to pay down the debt) and buying new furniture for the entire house.
I told her to watch it, or he'd move on. (He has threatened it before with the money issue-among other things)
She has no clue.
I told her she was being a little selfish. That if it were me, I would pay off all the debt and put some in the bank before I even dreamed of buying a bigger house, new vehicles, and quitting my job.
Basically I sided with her husband, and was she mad at me.
Mercifully, they don't have cards to pay off.
Anyhow, I do have a point here. I think a lot of people live on credit cards and prayers.
I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo grateful that I don't have any cards to pay off.
I have a bit of a reserve in my freezer, pantry and closet (toiletry/personal care) so if things got really lean, I could survive for a while before I hit panic mode.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 23 2008 : 4:29:49 PM
Tina- I agree with you. I always say that we, as in the the generations of the past 30-40 years, have had it real good, compared to times past. I was poor but I know people who were ain't got a thang poor. I noticed at work how many people buy snacks, cokes, coffee, eat out at lunch each day and I can remember getting Mc D's ONCE a summer as a treat. Can you imagine???
I do have a lot of CC debt, due to some problems with my hubby's ex, but we pay above and beyond what we need each month and I figure it will take us about another year to get in under control. My reality is I have to get a better grip on the budget and also get back to my roots. I could spend all summer poolside or at the beach and not pay a cent, other than gas, food I bring and some sunscreen.
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Mar 23 2008 : 4:14:24 PM
wonder how many are in credit card debt that they won't ever be able to pay off at the low rates they are paying per month/only really paying on the interest and not the balance because they got suckered into a credit card for such and such store or got sent a card in the mail? ..alot of the credit cards are a real joke..incredible interest rates and late fees.But with a credit card they see it as instant buy/instant gratification until the next new fad comes along.
I do think that our media plays a huge role in putting things out there that folks see and think they just "have to have" because of some hyped up tv ad or something in a magazine.Then add to that the fact that kids see shows like Hannah Montana and think that they just have to have those style of clothes and so forth..and new air jordans and nikes and so forth due also to peer pressure at school to "be cool".
And then so many parents comparing themselves to each other.
Peer pressure does not just stop at the child/school level..it permeates all parts of our society even into adult hood.
I think when folks learn to not compare or compete amonst themselves and get back to the grass roots of what living really is about..then perhaps there wouldn't be so much of this stuff going on.
But..folks have got to want to get back to the "real".And unfortunately you won't find many people willing to do that.(just my opinion here)
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 23 2008 : 2:18:10 PM
I always try to think when I buy something, how long of a use can I get out of it? I will post later about my 2 times a year major shopping trips, but really, I try to avoid quick trips, wasting gas, looking at how long I can make something last before recycling it, re-purchasing, throwing it out or doing without. I bought my Jeep in 2004 and PRAY it will make it 10 years, not only becasue I love it but because that is the amount of time I think I would get a good return on it.
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
| nut4fabric |
Posted - Mar 23 2008 : 2:15:11 PM
How much of the problem do you think is that so many people are not willing to wait to get what they want? Instead of working and saving for something (new car, clothes, house, etc) just borrow what you need and worry about paying later, much later. Good example.....darling daughter-in-law had to have a NEW truck in '06 because her mom got a new vehicle. So she and DS stretched their budget to afford it and now she is "tired" of it and wants a jeep, but they are several thousand dollars upside down on the loan so they call us to co-sign a loan to pay off the truck and buy the jeep. Our answer was NO, needless to say they are unhappy with us now. Oh well!! My advice was make your decisions more carefully and learn to live with them. Live within your means and when you can afford to trade in the truck go for it but don't ask us for the money because you're bored with your previous choice. I know that many times we made do with what we had until we could really afford better, no one seems willing to do that any more.
Kathy |
| CountryBorn |
Posted - Mar 23 2008 : 1:43:27 PM
It's funny, because the complaining is what gets to me too.It is all I can do to keep my mouth shut when people who waste money all the time start having a pity party because of all the debt they are in. I know it would just be a waste of my time to try and talk any sense into them, so I just let it go in one ear and out the other. They want the debt to go away,but don't want to change their ways.
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 23 2008 : 1:31:57 PM
Well now I don't feel so alone in my thought..lol..but seriously. I know alot of people in the military who make what we do- about $35,000 a year. One car they own costs that much, they live in what were $500,000 homes, all on loans, no money down, the women dress in really expensive clothing ( I think Old Navy and Target are about as rich as I go) and they eat out ALL the time, buy with reckless abandon, kids have all the latest greatest, they have all the latest greatest. And I thought I was being extravagant for getting 1 massage and a pedicure a month!! HMM>>>>>
I shop at Walmart because honestly, it is the cheapest around for the basic things I use. But you have to get by the oodles of crappola waiting within the doors. I was looking for some jeans and had to wade through 8 racks of sale clothes, 2 large displays of summer clothing, and a convenient toy display(figuring Mom's come in to shop and junior gets bored and wants a new toy) just to get to the back wall and find the jeans.
Last week was spring break, so Walmart was filled with kids and tired Mom's. Every conversation was "Ok, you can get that too but that is enough (Mom pushing weighed down cart full of stuff). Now, I do shop BIG 2 times a year- Fall and Winter. I avoid most stores in the Summer due to the "buy this to keep you from getting bored gimmicks". So, yes I have a cart full 2 times a year. And when people get a load of what I am buying, I am sure they think the same of me. But really people, get a clue.
Saw this at the beach the other day too. The amount of stuff people drag along with them to enjoy the beach makes me laugh and all the kids were listening to their I-pods or gorging on junk food.
I really try not to judge but it is when I hear all the complaining that it really starts to get my goat.
I just think all those people who have been living the high life on little money are in for a reality check.
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
| CountryBorn |
Posted - Mar 23 2008 : 1:19:09 PM
Heather, I do think there is alot of truth in what you say. For some reason over the past number of years,nothing has ever been enough for a lot of people. If they finally get their dream home,or a new car or electronic gadgets etc. then something new comes out and they have to have that instead. A lot of people fall into that trap that material things are what makes you happy. That is just not the case. Hey, I am not saying there aren't things everyone would love to have and there is nothing wrong with that, but you just can't buy and buy intil you are so in debt you will never get out.The Mom you saw buying all that candy is a perfect example. Why does she feel the need to buy so much? Why isn't a normal sensible present enough anymore? There just seems to be this big hole inside that a lot of people are trying to fill up. You know it isn't just the buying public that has started this mess either. It is our own government on every level, businesses the same thing. I think it is a recession of sorts but in a big way the nation,businesses and the people(not all people) have brought a lot of it on itself. That is a very thought provoking post.
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Mar 23 2008 : 1:09:06 PM
Oh heather!!! I can't agree more, just got off the phone with my father (we're not close and he's a devote democrat) reason that is important I'll tell ya in a sec. But we were talking how bad things are. I honestly think they are. I just know how everyone I know is struggling. We talked about politics a lil but we don't see eye to eye but NOW we do!!! Funny huh. So I mentioned how we were talking on here about if society could survive. I am still in awe about that discussion. I just heard on tv about all the house issues. I guess that's what happened here. It was like in a month there were 3 on our street 2 on the street below and more on the street below up for sale! This is all within less than 1/2 a mile radius. Ridiculous!!! Our taxes are high here too. But I have really watched my pennies....I'm feeling an itching coming on for clothes but I was checking ebay. I love nice things and our thrift store is having less than desirable fashion lately. I spent money on friday but I had the time of my life and prob spent 20 bucks total. I invited a family friend's daughter out to hang out with me in town. She is 13 going on 20. She is at that awkward stage and I treated her to coffee etc. We had fun! We talked and walked around and window shopped, she got a cute bathing suit, and I got 2 magazines I'd been eyeing up. We went to the restaurant for some soup, but the guy waiting on us is my buddy and we worked there together (so not that I agree but he gave us our soup free) I tipped him well. Also they throw it out at the end of the day. I'm sure I'll catch heck from someone on here. Oh well. But it was like a treat day. I never go out anymore due to $ and I have been eating at cheap restaurants lately (not fast food) maybe once a week and get salad and soup (usually quite cheap or the special like spaghetti 2 for 1 and this spaghetti lasts several meals and garlic bread and meatball)
SO heather I think you nailed it, GIMME GIMME GIMME MORE....I was just thinking of that the other day how I feel disconnected from my age lately cause I'm not in the latest of anything. Ok maybe a lil but not much. hehe THANK GOD FOR YOU GALS
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://ligonierfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirlslonggreen.blogspot.com/
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