8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Jun 20, 2011 16:19:05 GMT -5
...:::"Are you telling me there are 1-21 year olds out there that want to conform? Now I have heard it all.":::...
This reminds me of that Simpsons episode where Bart gets an earring, and Lisa says "how rebellious... in a conformist sort of way".
I do love the earring that Ralph gets, which gets stuck on his shirt collar.
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Frugal Nurse
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Post by Frugal Nurse on Jun 20, 2011 16:59:29 GMT -5
"I am wondering if you were to go buy a pair of running shoes, would you spend more on it because x has the same compared to what you likes or could live with?" Nope. I am less likely to purchase something if one of my friends has one like it. I have my own tastes and my own style- I don't want to look like everyone else, I want to look better and more unique
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qofcc
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Post by qofcc on Jun 20, 2011 18:58:56 GMT -5
I don't care at all about what celebrities are doing and I don't often find myself wanting things because someone I know has them. Oh, maybe once in a while I'll see something that gives me an idea I'd like to try, there's a girl at work that comes up with some cute outfits and sometimes I think, that's a good idea I should try wearing a scarf like that, but I wouldn't want to come to work looking exactly like her. I do try to keep myself and my home looking as good as possible and I would be embarrassed if I was seen in public looking like I just rolled out of bed or if my house decor looked like it hadn't been freshened up since 1970, but I don't worry about what other people think looks nice, I worry about what I think looks nice. I look around at the people we hang out with and the people I work with and nobody I can think of dresses the same or drives the same type of car or lives in the same type of house or talks about those things much.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2011 19:13:48 GMT -5
I don't want to get something because someone else has it, but sometimes someone else has something I like and I want to get my own. So it is not keeping up with the Jones if you actually like the stuff you are buying? Exactly! KUWTJ is about having something that is better than what someone else has.
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 20, 2011 19:40:47 GMT -5
...:::"carried by a national brand (TJ Crew or something)":::... This unintentionally funny comment made me chuckle. It definitely illustrates the difference between those who care about appearances, and those who are unconcerned. ...agreed...
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 20, 2011 20:01:41 GMT -5
I have been feeling a bit more pressure from The Jones' lately. When we lived in a condo, we didnt have people over too often because parking is kind of a pain and we didn't have a backyard. Now we live in a small single family home. We bought a decent 42" TV, and we have living/dining seating for 6 adults, and a small backyard. We do not have a big kitchen that you can hang out in, or a great room, nor do we have a pool, spa or BBQ pit. In short, our home is pretty basic. We hosted Thanksgiving this year (we were able to seat another 6 people in the living area. So I didnt offer to host Christmas, but some of the relatives were discussing it and agreed my SIL should host because her home has so much room. We wanted to have friends over to watch a fight, but no one could make it. But everyone went to a different house a few weeks later for another event. DS told me that it was because his friend has a bigger TV/better entertainment system. And we were going to have people over for Memorial Day, but another friend asked if he could host instead (it was his birthday weekend) We decided that his home was a better idea because he has a pool and BBQ pit. It's not like our friends and family look down on us or refuse to come over, but they certainly prefer going to homes with more space and more stuff. I know when our kids are a bit older, they will feel the same way. I dont want to spoil them, but I'd also prefer they spend equal time with their friends at our home so I can know the kids they hang out with. ...sounds like an excellent strategy to live a comfortable life while also keeping your hosting workload down to a minimum... ;D
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maraqxa
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Post by maraqxa on Jun 20, 2011 22:24:31 GMT -5
How do we know who are the Joneses? And why do we always assume people are in debt?
I like nice things, my thing is quality over quantity. I love Jcrew and honestly nobody would ever know you are wearing it unless you say so! I spend $400 in a purse, yes a purse! But the last time I bought one was 2 years ago, well I have bought a couple at $20 that I know will go out of style quick. I have LV purses that are over 7 years old and still use them as they are still in style.
Anyway, my point is we can't judge people basis what they wear, it is all about personal preference. I carry no consumer debt, we save over 50% of our pay but I like to spend money on nice things.
One of our friends always made a comment about how much we travel and the stuff I wear and we said nothing but we could have said well unlike you we have no car payments, don't go out to eat all the time, don't buy the latest toy so we can afford it.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Jun 21, 2011 5:34:04 GMT -5
maraqxa - I agree. We have a pretty big house for the Northeast 4/3 about 2600 sqft. We like to entertain at home and cook and almost never eat out or get take out. We both drive cheap cars and don't spend much money on clothes or toys (we still have tube tvs). The house is our expensive thing. I know that people probably assume we're in debt or make a lot more money than we do, but really it's all about priorities. Some of our friends eat out 4-5 times a week and drive audis. They could probably afford our mortgage too if they didn't go out to eat all the time and drove civics. It's just about personal preference.
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sil
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Post by sil on Jun 21, 2011 13:52:15 GMT -5
Yesterday at 4:01pm, sil wrote:I have been feeling a bit more pressure from The Jones' lately. When we lived in a condo, we didnt have people over too often because parking is kind of a pain and we didn't have a backyard. Now we live in a small single family home. We bought a decent 42" TV, and we have living/dining seating for 6 adults, and a small backyard. We do not have a big kitchen that you can hang out in, or a great room, nor do we have a pool, spa or BBQ pit. In short, our home is pretty basic. We hosted Thanksgiving this year (we were able to seat another 6 people in the living area. So I didnt offer to host Christmas, but some of the relatives were discussing it and agreed my SIL should host because her home has so much room. We wanted to have friends over to watch a fight, but no one could make it. But everyone went to a different house a few weeks later for another event. DS told me that it was because his friend has a bigger TV/better entertainment system. And we were going to have people over for Memorial Day, but another friend asked if he could host instead (it was his birthday weekend) We decided that his home was a better idea because he has a pool and BBQ pit. It's not like our friends and family look down on us or refuse to come over, but they certainly prefer going to homes with more space and more stuff. I know when our kids are a bit older, they will feel the same way. I dont want to spoil them, but I'd also prefer they spend equal time with their friends at our home so I can know the kids they hang out with. ...sounds like an excellent strategy to live a comfortable life while also keeping your hosting workload down to a minimum... ************************************************************************************************* Thanks BTDT - I'm going to adopt that attitude Now I'll just "Keep Up With the Jones' " by bringing the best beer to the Jones' parties!
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jun 21, 2011 14:31:29 GMT -5
maraqxa - I agree. We have a pretty big house for the Northeast 4/3 about 2600 sqft. We like to entertain at home and cook and almost never eat out or get take out. We both drive cheap cars and don't spend much money on clothes or toys (we still have tube tvs). The house is our expensive thing. I know that people probably assume we're in debt or make a lot more money than we do, but really it's all about priorities. Some of our friends eat out 4-5 times a week and drive audis. They could probably afford our mortgage too if they didn't go out to eat all the time and drove civics. It's just about personal preference. yogiii: DH and I feel exactly the same way. Our philosophy has always been that we spend more time at home than anywhere else, so that is where we choose to put our money. We always considered it as an investment in our lifestyle, not a monetary investment. Coincidentally, we also have a 2600 sq. ft. home. It is one of the nicer, but definitely smaller homes in our neighborhood. Most of our neighbors are/were pretty successful corporate big wigs (VP level), doctors, lawyers, etc., while my DH is a "lowly" corporate manager. And since we bought at the peak of the market, I'm sure they might wonder whether we are on the verge of foreclosure, not knowing that we put $800K down on the purchase (cuz we sold at the peak too). Luckily, neither one of us is big into shopping. I wouldn't know a LV purse if someone smacked me over the head with it. I do know Coach only because there is a Coach outlet nearby, so carrying a purse with Cs all over it, is pretty common here. My purse? A 10 year old leather no-name that really does need to be replaced; but I hate to shop, so I'll wait until I'm absolutely forced to replace it.
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 22, 2011 3:49:57 GMT -5
<<< Thanks BTDT - I'm going to adopt that attitude Now I'll just "Keep Up With the Jones' " by bringing the best beer to the Jones' parties! >>> ...funny story about this is friends of ours already have their "down-sized retirement dream house" planned out, that they will begin buying/building/living in just a couple more years, as soon as their youngest kid graduates high school, despite their being ~20yrs shy of formal retirement age... their thinking (with which I agree) is that they want one master bedroom, one 'bedroom' that will be a full double-desk office, and pull out beds/sofa sleepers in the loft and the den for the occasional overnight guests... ...I think they got the idea from a story/movie quote, "When he reached the New World, Cortez burned his ships. As a result, his men were well motivated."
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dividend
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It's 5:00 somewhere.
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Post by dividend on Jun 22, 2011 8:46:18 GMT -5
I watched this movie on Netflix. DBF asked, "Did those money people on the internet recommend this?" ;D Not great as far as movies go, but interesting, especially since both of us work for advertising agencies.
I don't have the Joneses in my neighborhood (it's a little close to the border of the ghetto part of town), but I definitely do at my gym. My office shares a parking lot with a swanky gym/raquet club, so my company subsidizes my membership. The women there appear to all be well kept trophy wives. I'm talking matching head to toe designer work-out gear, super nice nails and haircuts, etc. Then they all gossip in the locker room about their vacations to Jamaica and new luxury cars. I commute to work by bicycle about half the time, so I roll in all sweaty and disheveled in my ratty biking clothes carrying a pannier stuffed with work clothes, my lunch, and a thermos of coffee from home, and it's obvious that these woman aren't going to work, because they're changing from their expensive work out gear into equally trendy lounge-wear to head to coffee shops or brunch. Those are the days I feel a twinge of envy.
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 22, 2011 9:54:31 GMT -5
I watched this movie on Netflix. DBF asked, "Did those money people on the internet recommend this?" ;D Not great as far as movies go, but interesting, especially since both of us work for advertising agencies. I don't have the Joneses in my neighborhood (it's a little close to the border of the ghetto part of town), but I definitely do at my gym. My office shares a parking lot with a swanky gym/raquet club, so my company subsidizes my membership. The women there appear to all be well kept trophy wives. I'm talking matching head to toe designer work-out gear, super nice nails and haircuts, etc. Then they all gossip in the locker room about their vacations to Jamaica and new luxury cars. I commute to work by bicycle about half the time, so I roll in all sweaty and disheveled in my ratty biking clothes carrying a pannier stuffed with work clothes, my lunch, and a thermos of coffee from home, and it's obvious that these woman aren't going to work, because they're changing from their expensive work out gear into equally trendy lounge-wear to head to coffee shops or brunch. Those are the days I feel a twinge of envy. ...take heart... anyone whose vocabulary includes easy use of the word "pannier" is uptown... imo...
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murphath
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Post by murphath on Jun 22, 2011 11:15:03 GMT -5
I never could understand why women will buy purses, suitcases, etc. with somebody's initials all over it. Free advertising for the company--so they should pay you! Back in the day, when I worked for an airline, Louis Vuittan luggage and purses were all the rage. The stuff is plastic--not even real leather. Sorry, I'd rather have a good quality leather bag any day. I did buy a Coach purse from a community garage sale for $5--just a nice plain one. The only "C" is the on actual buckle. It was used, of course, but in great condition. I get lots of compliments on that bag.
I thought DH and I were the only ones left that didn't own a flat screen t.v.! We also do not have cell phones, although we do pay for DD2 and DS's phones (they are in college). We've got a few years left at getting the three kids done with med school, grad school, and undergrad. Then we may be able to get a fancy, dancy t.v.. It would mostly be for watching football on Sunday. Go 'Niners!
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 22, 2011 11:17:08 GMT -5
...Steeler Nation!!! ;D
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 22, 2011 11:22:18 GMT -5
We are the opposite. We have a small house, and we drive our cars for a long time, so we can piddle away money on just about everything else. We go out to eat, we go on vacation, I buy shoes, I have a decent purse, I spend money on my hair, etc. The problem is, nobody at work has ever seen my house. So, I know a lot of people talk about my "Jonesyness" - but hey, I sacrifice in my own way. My tiny house payment affords me all of this other crap.
I'm totally cool with choices - if you pick the big house, and give up the rest, and you are happy - great! If you pick the cheaper house and travel - great! It is the people who have the big house, the great cars, the fancy purse and the vacation who then complain that I have something they don't. Go to hell, lady, you have 20 things I don't!
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Jun 22, 2011 11:29:21 GMT -5
thyme - I totally agree.
I did forget though, we used to travel a lot (before the baby). I don't see that in our near future though. Taking a toddler on a trip isn't exactly my idea of relaxing. However, when we do finally take the next big trip, it will be a good one.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Jun 22, 2011 11:29:39 GMT -5
This message has been deleted.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 22, 2011 11:41:36 GMT -5
I remember the first couple of trips we took with our kids. And then, the break-through...they could sleep in the same bed. Suddenly the whole world of hotels became open to us. Then, another break-through...they don't legally need car seats. Now we don't have to carry those things with us on plane rides. And of course, the best break-through of all - hand held video games and portable DVD players.
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bring in the new year
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Happy Thanksgiving!
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Post by bring in the new year on Jun 22, 2011 14:01:43 GMT -5
I'm not big on many things but I will rave about Coach bags.
I came from a long line of women who replaced their purses every couple of years. My first Coach lasted around 15 years (and I am not easy on purses) and the second one is going on 12 (with no sign of wear).
The wallet lasted about 10 years and then it got snatched, so for all I know someone is still getting good use out of it.
As far as the Jones are concerned, (I haven't seen the movie) it seems to stand for people who are more attracted by bright and shiny objects than quality. I don't believe in debt (except mortgages & student loans) but I do think some things are worth spending money on. Coach is one of them. Cast iron pans are another (all those are usually reasonable.) I'd rather buy suits at Talbots and wear them year in and year out than have to replace them every five months.
But as someone else said, if people do like the bright and shiny transient things, good for them. They keep the economy running.
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dcmetrocrab
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Post by dcmetrocrab on Jun 22, 2011 21:20:18 GMT -5
I rented the movie long ago thinking it was a comedy. Uhh.. ok talk about highly depressing and extreme. No wonder it didn't do well. Marketing should've billed it more as a drama. Humans are social creatures, hard wired in general to be part of the flock and hang with the like minded and once there, try to keep up. Don't we here on the board try to "keep up with the saving Jones"?
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jun 22, 2011 21:50:12 GMT -5
I rented the movie long ago thinking it was a comedy. Uhh.. ok talk about highly depressing and extreme. No wonder it didn't do well. Marketing should've billed it more as a drama. Humans are social creatures, hard wired in general to be part of the flock and hang with the like minded and once there, try to keep up. Don't we here on the board try to "keep up with the saving Jones"? Do we? I hope that's a good thing. ;D
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Poppet
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Post by Poppet on Jun 22, 2011 22:01:04 GMT -5
I love Jcrew and honestly nobody would ever know you are wearing it unless you say so!
Is J Crew at Wal-Mart level or something?
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maraqxa
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Post by maraqxa on Jun 22, 2011 22:21:08 GMT -5
I never could understand why women will buy purses, suitcases, etc. with somebody's initials all over it. Free advertising for the company--so they should pay you! Back in the day, when I worked for an airline, Louis Vuittan luggage and purses were all the rage. The stuff is plastic--not even real leather. Sorry, I'd rather have a good quality leather bag any day. I did buy a Coach purse from a community garage sale for $5--just a nice plain one. The only "C" is the on actual buckle. It was used, of course, but in great condition. I get lots of compliments on that bag. I thought DH and I were the only ones left that didn't own a flat screen t.v.! We also do not have cell phones, although we do pay for DD2 and DS's phones (they are in college). We've got a few years left at getting the three kids done with med school, grad school, and undergrad. Then we may be able to get a fancy, dancy t.v.. It would mostly be for watching football on Sunday. Go 'Niners! Not sure what you were handling but the real thing is real leather.
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