midjd
Administrator
Your Money Admin
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:09:23 GMT -5
Posts: 17,719
|
Post by midjd on Aug 2, 2012 13:54:26 GMT -5
You're right, I forgot where I was for a second.
|
|
The Captain
Junior Associate
Hugs are good...
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 16:21:23 GMT -5
Posts: 8,717
Location: State of confusion
Favorite Drink: Whinnnne
|
Post by The Captain on Aug 2, 2012 13:56:21 GMT -5
Shanendoah: I mean prestigious for you, or whoever is responding. When I said prestige, I was thinking, a stretch for your income/comfort level. I use creme de la mer. For me, it is crazy expensive and, relative to the rest of my life, a splurge. Maybe you have more balance. My neighborhood is pretty working class because in Vegas a 3k square foot house is pretty inexpensive, but I spend a lot (relatively) in a couple of other areas. susanb - I just googled creme de la mer, holy crap! that stuff is EXPENSIVE! (Is it worth it? ;D )
|
|
susanb
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jun 21, 2012 14:16:56 GMT -5
Posts: 1,430
|
Post by susanb on Aug 2, 2012 14:05:04 GMT -5
Rae and Mid, thanks! I clearly offended some people on my what do you do post, so I will try and learn from that. Captain. It is expensive, but 1.5 jars last me a year, so I spend about $200. For me, it is worth $200 a year not to have a face covered adult acne and scars. It was invented by a NASA scientist who made it because he got burned and wasn't satisfied with the treatments he tried. See? NASA Scientist? My fancy skin cream makes me classy and smart
|
|
thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,379
|
Post by thyme4change on Aug 2, 2012 14:05:59 GMT -5
We believe you.
|
|
skubikky
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 7:37:12 GMT -5
Posts: 3,044
|
Post by skubikky on Aug 2, 2012 14:07:14 GMT -5
I think Susan has displayed a lot of class in this thread. She certainly hasn't insulted anyone, can't say the same for others. And I'm not sure why some of you are intent on tearing her down. Really, is it our mission to drive away all the reasoned, moderate posters? Once again, the nuances of inflection aren't possible to convey on a message board. My statement was not made to accuse susanb of some shortcoming. I was addressing what I perceive is something that she is experiencing. Nothing she has written is offensive or problematic. It's only demonstrating a train of thought which is what I was responding to.
|
|
NancysSummerSip
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 19:19:42 GMT -5
Posts: 36,320
Today's Mood: Full of piss and vinegar
Favorite Drink: Anything with ice
|
Post by NancysSummerSip on Aug 2, 2012 14:11:05 GMT -5
www.mayoclinic.com/health/moisturizers/SN00042/This is a good basic informative piece from the Mayo Clinic about moisturizers in general. Bottom line is that price is not an indication of whether or not something works. Factors that determine whether a cream works or not include the type of skin you have, where you live (environmental factors), genetics, how you eat, your fluid consumption (including alcohol), smoking, exercise, etc. When I was writing health and beauty ariticles for AOL awhile back, I spoke with dermatologists, plastic surgeons and cosmetologists, including my own. A $150 tube of cream will not fix skin that you otherwise treat like trash, as my dermatologist says. It's a classic matter of garbage in, garbage out.
|
|
swamp
Community Leader
Don't be a fool. Call me!
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 16:03:22 GMT -5
Posts: 45,306
|
Post by swamp on Aug 2, 2012 15:44:12 GMT -5
Yes, but on here you are getting the uncensored me. In real life, I try to be civil. But I can give you alcohol and get the really, really funny Thyme, not just the merely amusing one, to come out and play, right?
|
|
thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,379
|
Post by thyme4change on Aug 2, 2012 16:08:35 GMT -5
There are legal issues around shipping alcohol. We are going to have to meet in St. Louis.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 23, 2024 4:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2012 16:11:40 GMT -5
Nice housing- far less than the max we could afford but we could certainly get by with something smaller for a couple of empty-nesters. And I guess we don't need a swimming pool. Maybe just a koi pond. Prestige car- heck, no. One car, bought used. Travel- our biggest splurge and one of our greatest pleasures. Just got back from an $8K trip to Alaska. Worth every penny. We're saving up to do it again in 2014. Fancy clothing- only my business wardrobe and it's a manageable % of our income. Gourmet food- healthy, not fancy. Pampering - skin care, pedicures, etc. Huh? Never had a manicure/pedicure in my life, my shampoo and soap are left over from the free stuff in hotels. I'm finally getting professional haircuts at $50 every 2 months, but my hair is an honest, low-maintenance grey. Expensive social life - drinks out, concerts, etc. Very rare. We love our home. Toys - tech or outdoor. A few electronics, not the latest and greatest. Just got a flat screen last year, my iPod Touch is 3 years old, smartphone is the company Blackberry. DH wants nothing to do with mobile phones or iAnything. Kids- out of the house, bless 'em.
|
|
susanb
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jun 21, 2012 14:16:56 GMT -5
Posts: 1,430
|
Post by susanb on Aug 2, 2012 16:33:46 GMT -5
There are legal issues around shipping alcohol. We are going to have to meet in St. Louis. Alcohol could be the answer to your workout dilemma as well. People suggested spinning in your workout thread, but have you tried tipsy spinning? I have a spin bike I bought on Amazon for $250. After a glass or two of wine, I can spin and listen to music for a long time.
|
|
susanb
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jun 21, 2012 14:16:56 GMT -5
Posts: 1,430
|
Post by susanb on Aug 2, 2012 16:37:34 GMT -5
Athena, travel is my biggest area of expense and enjoyment (from money) as well. I went to Alaska and loved it. My dad is turning 70 in a year and a half. He has never been to Europe, but has always wanted to go. I am treating him to a trip in 2013, but I am going to tell him this year, so he has time to get ready (he still works full time). I can't wait to tell him or to go!
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 23, 2024 4:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2012 16:46:32 GMT -5
Athena, travel is my biggest area of expense and enjoyment (from money) as well. I went to Alaska and loved it. My dad is turning 70 in a year and a half. He has never been to Europe, but has always wanted to go. I am treating him to a trip in 2013, but I am going to tell him this year, so he has time to get ready (he still works full time). I can't wait to tell him or to go! That's wonderful timing! My brother took my Dad golfing in Scotland when Dad was that age- now, 10 years later, Dad is doing well but has had to give up golf due to back problems. My DH turned 74 today and we've been traveling together for 15 years. We're gonna keep going till he says "stop" but he definitely needs more rest and less rigor than he did 10 years ago. Depending on what shape he's in, you may want to minimize the number of hotel stays- the packing, moving and unpacking really seems to wear on both of us now. And I can't wait to hear about your trip!
|
|
susanb
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jun 21, 2012 14:16:56 GMT -5
Posts: 1,430
|
Post by susanb on Aug 2, 2012 16:50:50 GMT -5
Great points, Athena. Thanks!
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 23, 2024 4:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2012 17:09:46 GMT -5
Cripes, I don't have any of that. Not even the "add your idea here"?
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 23, 2024 4:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2012 17:46:27 GMT -5
A thread in YM got me thinking about the phrase "You can have anything you want, but not everything you want." ------------------ I've never heard of this phrase. I've heard of "You can have everything you NEED, but not everything you want." I have everything I need. Is is fancy or spendy? No, but it's everything I need, so I'm golden. I've always used the first observation with DS when he was growing up. I may have heard it from somewhere else. I still think it's true. Few incomes are so large that you can't overspend and end up living paycheck to paycheck unless you set priorities. If we had a couple of new SUVs in the garage, a home in an "executive" gated area with appropriate furniture and professional lawn care, and closets full of designer clothes, I know we would be. Fortunetaly, DH and I agree on financial priorities.
|
|
KaraBoo
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 17:14:51 GMT -5
Posts: 3,076
|
Post by KaraBoo on Aug 2, 2012 22:32:38 GMT -5
I also agree this subject is about perceptions that each individual has of their own life. For example:
We own a 1200 sf house that 6 people live in that was built in 1952. There are foundation issues, termite damage and almost no insulation to speak of in our house (our electric bill in the summer is outrageous!). We are slowly remodeling it and it will be paid off in about 8 years. We live in a decent area, decent school district and with reasonable commutes to jobs that pay good wages to both DH and I, not for how hard we work, but for the knowledge we have that was gained over years, not with higher education. We have 3 old, but very well maintained vehicles that each have at least 150k miles on them. We splurged on DH's one hobby - fishing - and have a very nice bass boat with a huge payment and all of the equipment that goes with bass fishing. We have decent cloths, decent food, and decent lives. We take major vacations around every other year, but do lots of local activities on a regular basis. We contribute to our retirement, not the max, but we're on track for finally breaking the 6 figure mark on it this year. The choices in our life has allowed us to be at this point.
Contrast this with DH's ex-wife's reality compared to ours:
She and 2 others (plus 3 kids every other weekend) live in a 2 bedroom trailer home that has seen way better days (I have no idea when it was built, but if I were to guess, it would be late 70's early 80's). Comparatively speaking, it is in way worse shape than our house. She has no central a/c in Texas and has to rely on 2 window units to cool the entire place. She lives in the country with a large commute to decent jobs which she's struggling to find without a high school education (works as a housekeeper in a hotel right now). She changes jobs and homes on average of every 6 months hoping those moves will improve her situation. Her vehicle is financed through a tote-the-note lot, is high mileage and doesn't run very well. She struggles to even keep gas in it. She tells us that the cloths we buy from Kohl's is too expensive for her and it must be nice to be able to afford such luxuries. In her mind, we are living the high life. The choices in her life have allowed her to be at this point.
However, compare that to my parents' reality:
Home paid off (that they just bought last year for the cost of the sale price of their old home), vehicles paid off, Mom's retired and has been for the last 10 years. Dad still works to pay for insurance and their travels. They take on average a cruise a year, and multiple mini-vacations each year. They live in a newer brick home with in-ground pool and host multiple parties per year. All of which they achieved without any higher education other than a high school diploma. The choices in their lives have allowed them to be at this point.
In our worlds, Ex is jealous of DH and I for all that we have. DH and I aspire to be my parents in a few more years (once the kids are graduated and *hopefully* moved out at a reasonable age/time frame). My parents don't think they're anything special and always point to all of the hard work they put in to get to this point in their lives.
It's an interesting discussion and comparison.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 23, 2024 4:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2012 1:32:13 GMT -5
Thanks, Mid. I really didn't think this was controversial. Also, I thought that a 10 year old car would balance out spending a couple hundred bucks a year on fancy face cream, but I guess I am a bad YM sinner. Hmmm well since I am a huge YM failure I will admit that I also spend quite a bit on skin care. My last jar of face cream was $76. That is one of my splurge areas. I also love food. I tend to splurge on good food. Travel---yes please...as much as I can. I am currently living in Europe so it makes it a little bit cheaper for me to be able to do it. To make up for my splurges I drive a 1996 Honda Civic hoopty that I spent $2500 on. I carry only the very basic insurance on it. I do not have the top of the line phone and never have. I currently have a pay as you go phone. I have furniture, but I do not buy a lot of furnishings or decorations for my house. I don't like clutter so I have what some consider a very bare house. My furniture for the most part is around 7 years old. It has been through several moves, but I refuse to replace it until Goose retires. I love pedicures and was getting one once a month but lately I have been doing my own. Same with my hair, I used to get it professionally colored but lately I have been coloring it myself. Those things aren't as important to me as being able to travel right now.
|
|
happyhoix
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Oct 7, 2011 7:22:42 GMT -5
Posts: 20,867
|
Post by happyhoix on Aug 3, 2012 8:46:31 GMT -5
Thanks, Mid. I really didn't think this was controversial. Also, I thought that a 10 year old car would balance out spending a couple hundred bucks a year on fancy face cream, but I guess I am a bad YM sinner. I once said it was stupid to wash and reuse aluminum foil and got yelled at. We almost all fall short here at YM.
|
|
8 Bit WWBG
Administrator
Your Money admin
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 8:57:29 GMT -5
Posts: 9,322
Today's Mood: Mega
|
Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Aug 4, 2012 12:19:12 GMT -5
DW now finally understands that our trying to have too many of these things too early has crippled our ability to have them now. She did the math and realized that we could take the trip we just took annually if I wasn't still paying for all the stupid clutter she had to have but ended up donating, and restaurant meals we pooped out years ago.
Its a balancing act, because wants always increase. The things we want now (international travel, luxury car, home renovations) cost many multiples what the things we used to be satisfied with (dinner at outback, lots of books) cost.
|
|
8 Bit WWBG
Administrator
Your Money admin
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 8:57:29 GMT -5
Posts: 9,322
Today's Mood: Mega
|
Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Aug 4, 2012 12:29:47 GMT -5
To address the categories in the OP:
Nice housing- Our housing costs stuns some people. For this area, we have a very mediocre 1,200sf starter home. Sure, a comp just sold for $350k, which buys a mansion in some places.
Prestige car- I want one. Its inevitable. whether it will be a fun sports car, I don't know.
Travel- Having just returned from a long anticipated trip, I expect we both want this to become a regular thing. Weekend trips used to thrill us... no longer.
Fancy clothing- I want I want I want. I won't upgrade until the debt is gone, but when its paid off, and I have some good savings, I will be upgrading my wardrobe. I want a bunch of Canali suits, and possibly some Loro Piana, Burberry, and maybe someday Brioni.
Gourmet food- I bought my first "farmers market meat" yesterday. Bacon, and a grass fed rib eye. I expect that to become a regular expenditure, and to soon become one of those "yeah, THATs how we spend $800/month on groceries".
Pampering - Pedicures and facials are semi-regular things for DW. I enjoy the occasional pedicure. I expect these to increase in time, but for now I have no complaints.
Expensive social life - This is definitely an area we are adding to as we go on. We never used to drink in restaurants, and now its become a given (which typically adds at least $20 to the bill). Chains no longer work for us. We go to more events. I have no complaints in this area.
Toys - tech or outdoor - DW has gotten lucky and two "i"s through work. I have a 2 year old smartphone I still love, and a tablet. My 4 year old laptop could use a replacement. This is definitely a category I'd spend more freely in when the past is paid off. Though I hate waste by nature (not sure I could get a new lappy every year, even if money was no issue).
Kids- none now, and probably only if there is an oops.
|
|
quince
Senior Member
Joined: Sept 23, 2011 17:51:12 GMT -5
Posts: 2,699
|
Post by quince on Aug 4, 2012 13:21:47 GMT -5
I feel like I have everything I want. The question's been floated around about what we would do if everything panned out and our net worth quintupled in the next 2-3 years. Answer: Push up food quality, maybe get smartphones, e-reader, new computer...and put the rest in the bank. A lot of these things are purchases delayed not due to lack of funds, but lack of desire to have buyer's remorse. Nice housing- Currently 650 sq feet- seems big enough to me, although I'll want bigger when we have kid(s) verging on the teenaged years. It's a little small for more than two adults. Still, it's nice, has a yard, hardwood floors, nice kitchen, good storage space, nice lighting, and is comfortable and well-insulated. Good neighborhood, good schools, cute place. Prestige car- no interest in this, on either of our parts. Travel- I go to Hawaii every year. I have a couple of other destinations I visit every year as well, and we're discussing a cruise. We think nothing of traveling to another state for a special event or for a martial arts seminar. Fancy clothing- no interest, although I can see spending money on good coats and shoes. Gourmet food- Lots of farmer's market, but no brand sensitivity. Our pantry is a delightful combination of store-brand goods and organic dairy and produce. Although we don't really care about the organic label- it's just -grass fed cream line milk- always tends to be organic. Pampering - Eh. Massages, less so with the facials and manicures and hair and junk. I do love a good massage, though. Expensive social life - We don't drink, but I do like musicals. We eat out at LEAST once a week. We could stand to cut back, because money is nice, but it would really be for health reasons, I think. Toys - 2 desktops and 3 laptops between 2 people! MP3 players for everyone! Video games! Kids- Work In Progress. What a PITA. Hobbies cost a bit. Martial arts is a fixed monthly cost, plus weapons, clothes, and seminars. I think I kind of agree- you can't have everything you want, but only if you're talking extremes. I would LIKE a private chef, except....not really. I would LIKE a dojo attached to my house. (Actually, this one will probably happen in the next decade or so.) Hell, I'd like a private plane, please. I think right now I'm not busy wanting a lot, because being with a good partner with similar goals is a relatively recent experience (3 years?), and I'm still drunk on the idea that yes, I CAN have whatever I want. Even stuff that sounds ridiculous! (Like a dojo!)
|
|
hockeygrl
Established Member
Joined: Jan 9, 2011 18:07:55 GMT -5
Posts: 450
|
Post by hockeygrl on Aug 4, 2012 14:13:03 GMT -5
I have almost everything I want. Most importantly, my health, my husband, and my son. On the material side, I guess we are somewhere in the middle.
Our house is in a nicer neighborhood and was a 'custom home' when it was built. It is larger and fancier than anything I expected to own.
We have a few cars, with one that could be called a 'prestige car.' It's a pretty nice sports car, and none of our cars could be called a 'beater.'
We travel s couple of times a year within the US. At this point not interested in international travel, but we would be able to if we wanted.
Gourmet food? Meh, not really a big priority. I buy from the farmers market, we grow a garden, and our family sometimes provides fresh meat or milk from the dairy. I buy across the spectrum from organic to cheez-whiz.
I like having a growing retirement and savings and a pretty good net worth (over $250k right now) more than I like the thought of a bunch more "stuff." we aren't toy people, we are experience people.
Without our son, we would have a much richer bank account but a much poorer life.
One thing I want that we are saving and planning for is a little cabin on some acreage up in the woods.we aren't quite there yet, but expect to be in a couple of years.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Apr 23, 2024 4:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2012 2:04:29 GMT -5
Nevermind, found the correct thread! ;D
|
|
dancinmama
Senior Associate
LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 20:49:45 GMT -5
Posts: 10,659
|
Post by dancinmama on Aug 6, 2012 12:18:27 GMT -5
The only thing I have that is prestigious for our income is how well behaved our children are. I discovered a while ago that I was never going to be able to impress people, so I stopped trying. I don't give a shit if they think I have too much, or too little, or if they think they are better than me, or they look down on my car. If they think I need something better, I'm accepting gifts.
|
|
dancinmama
Senior Associate
LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 20:49:45 GMT -5
Posts: 10,659
|
Post by dancinmama on Aug 6, 2012 12:23:18 GMT -5
Prestige car- Someone asked my son what color my car was and he replied "plaid", nuff said.
|
|
dancinmama
Senior Associate
LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 20:49:45 GMT -5
Posts: 10,659
|
Post by dancinmama on Aug 6, 2012 13:13:54 GMT -5
A thread in YM got me thinking about the phrase "You can have anything you want, but not everything you want."Nice housing Prestige car Travel Fancy clothing Gourmet food Pampering - skin care, pedicures, etc. Expensive social life - drinks out, concerts, etc. Toys - tech or outdoor Kids Your idea here What do you think? Do you have two or three things? If so, what are they? I make this statement all the time. I don't understand what all the controversy is regarding this OP or the question. Due to previous comments made in this post, I am going to decline "to play".
|
|
8 Bit WWBG
Administrator
Your Money admin
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 8:57:29 GMT -5
Posts: 9,322
Today's Mood: Mega
|
Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Aug 6, 2012 17:11:18 GMT -5
...:::"I make this statement all the time. I don't understand what all the controversy is regarding this OP or the question.":::...
Its not all controversy. Many responses have indicated which items on the list they value, and which they do not.
|
|
zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,865
|
Post by zibazinski on Aug 8, 2012 7:50:47 GMT -5
We live in a nice home. I think it's 1400 sq ft. It not totally sure. Not small, not huge. Good area which for safety and resale is important. My big thing is travel. I want to do it more and overseas. I do spend money on my hair and my nails. When I go home to FL I get a facial from the woman who has worked on my face for over 25 years. I don't buy a lot of clothing but when I do, it's classic and nice. After years of working in shorts and t shirts, I rarely wear them.
|
|