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When I tell my friends I can’t afford to go out with them, they seem puzzled. Could this be because they live in debt as a part of life and don’t let it affect their lifestyle, or that somehow they have much bigger salaries? My husband and I wonder why we don’t appear to be as far ahead as our peers.
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Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 6:48 am
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November 16th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Perhaps all of those things are the reason.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:48 am
I look around and I wonder the same thing. But hey kids aren’t cheap.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Many people do live above their means in this country and are in debt. If you are responsible, and it sounds like you might be if you refuse to go out when you can’t afford it, then you are doing the right thing.
Analyze your situation; how many bills do you have, how much do you make? Is there a way to minimize your spending or increase your salary? When was the last time you asked for a raise? Would you consider going back to school for a higher education and then make more money?
BTW having "things" is not what life is about. If you have a good life (food on the table, roof over your head) and a great family with good morals and values, you’ve got everything.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:48 am
I suggest you not concern yourself with keeping up with the Jones.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:48 am
you have this feeling in u take this as a motive force.don’t always say no to ur friends.plan ur expenditure and look for better prospectives
November 16th, 2009 at 6:48 am
I’m 22 and strugle with $ all the time I can never seem to go out, the best advise i can give is cut up the credit cards it never helps spending money you don’t have, as of you and your husband not sure on what kind of jobs you work or if you have kids but I’m sure with both your saleries combined you should afford to go out, look at your monthly budget on bills and things you don’t need try to take out something you don’t need pop, cigs, I don’t know but try to - something out
November 16th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Your friends are probably in debt up to their eyeballs.
My philosophy is; if you need "stuff" to define who you are, then you’re just more stuff.
If you define who you are by your actions and values, then you don’t need stuff to show off.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:48 am
The advertizers spend alot of time trying to make you feel like that. It is called covert persuasion. Tey use it to sell us more things. It’s all bull
November 16th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Me and my hubby are the same way, we see everyone out and having fun, but we notice that everyone else just is in debt. I mean dont get me wrong we are going through bankruptcy, but we learned and are going to have to work up from the bottom like your suppose to. Everything takes time and soon you will see that you will be on top and everyone else is going to be looking at you.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:48 am
MadforMAC said "analyze your situation." This is very good advice. If you don’t already have one, you should have a formal budget and financial plan IN WRITING. Those who say they have it all memorized and know what and where they are spending their money are just fooling themselves.
One of the things that a good financial plan will do for you is give you benchmarks to relate to. Once you have a plan you will know where you stand today on things such as your net worth, investments, insurance coverage, goals for the future, etc.
This now allows you to employ your plan (get help from a financial planner if you are novices at this) and then review your plan at least annually to see if you are achieving your goals.
As long as you are moving ahead and planning for your future as well as building your near term objectives in to your plan as well then you should be happy!
Your plan may not involve having a lavish pool with butler service. That doesn’t matter. It’s YOUR plan. Live the way you want to live within your means and you will do well and should focus on those things that are most important - your family, good friends and LIVING!
As an added note, having a good plan can alleviate money pressures by reducing ambiguity and laying things out in a way you can best understand. This can allow you to focus on those important things in life.
Take care.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:48 am
WE HAVE NICE THING BECAUSE WE HAVE HAVE WORKED HARD FOR THEM. I AM 34 AND MY WIFE 25, BOTH EDUCATED AND HOLDING GOOD JOBS. WE SAVE OUR MONEY AND TAKE TRIPS, PURCHASE THINGS THAT WE HAVE WANTED.
WE FEEL THAT WE ARE SUCCESSFUL. WE MAKE GOOD MONEY FOR THE AREA THAT WE LIVE IN AND OUR KIDS GET WHAT THEY NEED, BUT NOT EVERYTHING THEY WANT.
THE KEY HERE IS, EDUCATION, HARD WORK, AND RESPONSIBILITY.
ALSO, UNTIL WE STARTED GOING TO CHURCH OUR LIVES WE NOT SO COMPLETE AND I WOULD NOT HAVE SAID THAT WE ARE SUCCESSFUL.
WE TITHE A PORTION OF OUR INCOMES EVERY MONTH TO OUR CHURCH, WE TRY TO BE ACTIVE MEMBER IN OUR CONGREGATION AND SUPPORT MISSIONS ACROSS THE GLOBE. I AM NOT TRYING TO BE A "BIBLE THUMPER" BUT IT HAS CERTAINLY MADE A DIFFERENCE IN HE QUALITY OF OUR LIFE.
GOOD LUCK!