Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Sept 22, 2015 14:44:00 GMT -5
I think you are missing a big part of the issue, not everyone is actually smart. Chances are they are earning as much as they can. Those that ARE smart but are still broke have decided to trade the more money for something else they value more. Time with kids, sanity, what have you.
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Sept 22, 2015 14:54:35 GMT -5
And some people are just content or lazy or mostly a combination of the 2. They don't feel that they have to work all the time to make more money just to spend.
As long as they are saving enough for retirement and some wants they feel good about themselves.
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Sept 22, 2015 15:02:06 GMT -5
My guess is people are broke because it is even easier to spend money. We make a good living, but I always have a list about 3 items deep of things I want and I can see that list scale to almost any income. Only 3? I'm at about 20 lol.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Sept 22, 2015 15:24:43 GMT -5
Though, I would add that I like to spend money, too. And I've always found it easier to figure out how to make more money so I could spend it than to "budget" or "live within my means" or "cut up my credit cards", etc. The time and energy that goes into all coupon clipping and shopping around for better insurance or dealing with prepaid wireless, and not having cable, and all that stuff- I'd just rather put into making more money. Yes, I still, for practical reasons, have a budget and live within my means-- and I practice delayed gratification-- I don't "charge it and figure out how to pay for it later"-- but when I come up short for something I would like to buy, or something I would like to do that costs money-- I don't cut out my daily cup of coffee, and save up for 9 years. I figure out how to earn more money. I think there are two kinds of 'broke people'. The people who truly can't afford basic lifestyle stuff - a basic cell phone/cable/internet package and a mediocre car (the dreaded commuter car - perhaps purchased new for under 20K out the door) and to live in a mediocre neighborhood (smaller older homes/apartments) mostly populated by people who do indeed go to work everyday and who's kids are going to (and remaining at) school during the day. Earning more money WOULD benefit them... but they may have to figure out how to make more money and that might take some additional money - so maybe cutting back on some expenses (so they can spend the money necessary to get to the point of EARNING more money - additional training OR spending on appropriate work clothes or transportation or just not eating out so often/giving up the smokes or booze). Earning more would help them and having to cut back for a while might be to their benefit.
And then there are the "wealthy" broke people - they have jobs and money but they still can't seem to make ends meet no matter how much they earn. As Phil often points out it's probably their car loans, mortgage, and any other big fixed montly expense that's the problem... depending on how BIG that problem is - cutting back on cable/coffee/dining out - may help some but probably not a whole lot. they may need to make some hard 'lifestyle' choices to fix the problem if they don't have a solid way to earn more money. Not everyone can instantly become a multimillion dollar businessperson - it takes time and effort and compromise to 'grow' a business - just like it takes time and effort and compromise to grow into a bigger salary if you are working for someone else.
I also think the advice to "cut back" on things like coffee, dining out, cable etc -- is actually more about 're-evaluating' one's values and actually figuring out where your money is going.... Is all the small stuff really necessary? Is it really bringing you joy? Is the expense of a storage unit you haven't visited in years really worth it? Is that gym membership or other subscription still of value you to you? Do you keep buying "accessories" for some sport or hobby you don't really participate in? If the stuff you are spending on doesn't align with your 'values' then why are you doing it.
There's lots of seemingly little expenses that add up over time - and it's really easy to forget to cancel something, or to say "oh, it's only $15 a month" I'll deal with it later... there was that article about the couple that spent thousands over the course of a year on subscriptions they "forgot about' or never bothered to cancel. Yeah, earning more would solve the expense problem temporarily... they could keep spending on stuff they didn't use and maybe not notice it. But, it would probably be easier to just spend the time and hassle to END the subscriptions. and not bother with figuring out a way to earn more money to cover the cost.
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flamingo
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Post by flamingo on Sept 22, 2015 16:26:49 GMT -5
I think a lot of times when people say they are broke or can't afford something they really mean that it isn't a priority for them. It seems it's the more socially acceptable thing to say than that the thing someone else values doesn't even rate. You can elicit sympathy, prop up an ego, and end the conversation without needing to further justify your reasoning because few people want to discuss how and why one of you is so much better off than the other. It's much safer than making a value judgement. This is totally it for me. I'm not broke, though I have used it as an excuse not to do something/spend money on something I don't want to. I'll also add that the "I'm broke" mindset seems to be contagious in my group. When my core group of friends starts down the "I'm broke" road, I start feeling the need to "feel" broke too. Sometimes, I feel like it's a competition among them/us. Who's so broke they couldn't eat anything but ramen noodles for the past month? Who's so broke they haven't been to a movie theater in 3 months? I try not to get sucked in, because I know I'm only artificially broke (retirement and savings take up a lot of my income) but when everyone around you is bemoaning their "brokeness" it's hard.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 22, 2015 17:12:53 GMT -5
Nobody in my real life has a clue how much we are raking in, except our accountant. Our lawyer has a good idea of our net worth. Nobody has the full picture. I whine about the cost of daycare, drive an old car and don't wear fancy clothes/shoes. If I lost my job, I would act broke.
I would never offer advice about how to make more money to someone who acted broke. Maybe if they directly asked.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2015 18:13:12 GMT -5
Money is just as much psychology as math. learning the math is a lot easier for some (me) then changing the psychology.
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AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP
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Post by AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP on Sept 22, 2015 19:29:16 GMT -5
And some people are just content or lazy or mostly a combination of the 2. They don't feel that they have to work all the time to make more money just to spend. As long as they are saving enough for retirement and some wants they feel good about themselves. Working is just one way to make money- the lazy, unimaginative way. But hey- I have no problems with people's priorities. Just quitcherbitchin is all I have to say about it.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2015 22:01:27 GMT -5
But every dollar we save by doing things ourselves is like money in the bank. Yeah, I was in the middle of cleaning the master bathroom when our financial advisor called. He told me to get a cleaning lady. Nope, I'd rather spend the money on.another trip to Iceland. This morning I scraped dead grass off bare patches in the lawn and reseeded. That will take watering on a regular basis till it's established. Hey, I'm retired. May as well make myself useful.
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AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP
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Post by AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP on Sept 22, 2015 22:32:24 GMT -5
But every dollar we save by doing things ourselves is like money in the bank. Yeah, I was in the middle of cleaning the master bathroom when our financial advisor called. He told me to get a cleaning lady. Nope, I'd rather spend the money on.another trip to Iceland. This morning I scraped dead grass off bare patches in the lawn and reseeded. That will take watering on a regular basis till it's established. Hey, I'm retired. May as well make myself useful. Every minute spent doing minimum wage work instead of paying someone else to do it is a minute you aren't putting your time, talent, and energy to its highest and best use. I always try to look at "saved money" realistically. Let's say you invest your time in earning a degree, a certification, or obtaining a license that will earn you $10,000 more per year than you are currently earning. The cleaning, lawn mowing, and other things might "save you money", but you have to keep doing the activity to save the money. The nights and weekends you put into earning that $10,000 additional is work that stays done. You do it for a little while, and then you always have it-- and it even goes up. That's my thing- it's kind of a motto: work that stays done. WTSD.
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nikiz628
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Post by nikiz628 on Sept 22, 2015 22:41:20 GMT -5
I think a lot of times when people say they are broke or can't afford something they really mean that it isn't a priority for them. It seems it's the more socially acceptable thing to say than that the thing someone else values doesn't even rate. You can elicit sympathy, prop up an ego, and end the conversation without needing to further justify your reasoning because few people want to discuss how and why one of you is so much better off than the other. It's much safer than making a value judgement. This is totally it for me. I'm not broke, though I have used it as an excuse not to do something/spend money on something I don't want to. I'll also add that the "I'm broke" mindset seems to be contagious in my group. When my core group of friends starts down the "I'm broke" road, I start feeling the need to "feel" broke too. Sometimes, I feel like it's a competition among them/us. Who's so broke they couldn't eat anything but ramen noodles for the past month? Who's so broke they haven't been to a movie theater in 3 months? I try not to get sucked in, because I know I'm only artificially broke (retirement and savings take up a lot of my income) but when everyone around you is bemoaning their "brokeness" it's hard. I always just say "im broke" when I don't want to do something. It's so much easier then explaining WHY I don't want to do it. "Sorry, can't this weekend, we're broke"
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2015 22:42:01 GMT -5
Yeah, I was in the middle of cleaning the master bathroom when our financial advisor called. He told me to get a cleaning lady. Nope, I'd rather spend the money on.another trip to Iceland. This morning I scraped dead grass off bare patches in the lawn and reseeded. That will take watering on a regular basis till it's established. Hey, I'm retired. May as well make myself useful. Every minute spent doing minimum wage work instead of paying someone else to do it is a minute you aren't putting your time, talent, and energy to its highest and best use. I always try to look at "saved money" realistically. Let's say you invest your time in earning a degree, a certification, or obtaining a license that will earn you $10,000 more per year than you are currently earning. The cleaning, lawn mowing, and other things might "save you money", but you have to keep doing the activity to save the money. The nights and weekends you put into earning that $10,000 additional is work that stays done. You do it for a little while, and then you always have it-- and it even goes up. That's my thing- it's kind of a motto: work that stays done. WTSD. There is value in cleaning or lawn care beyond saving money. Though I understand your point.
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gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Sept 23, 2015 7:06:29 GMT -5
Yeah, I was in the middle of cleaning the master bathroom when our financial advisor called. He told me to get a cleaning lady. Nope, I'd rather spend the money on.another trip to Iceland. This morning I scraped dead grass off bare patches in the lawn and reseeded. That will take watering on a regular basis till it's established. Hey, I'm retired. May as well make myself useful. Every minute spent doing minimum wage work instead of paying someone else to do it is a minute you aren't putting your time, talent, and energy to its highest and best use. I always try to look at "saved money" realistically. Let's say you invest your time in earning a degree, a certification, or obtaining a license that will earn you $10,000 more per year than you are currently earning. The cleaning, lawn mowing, and other things might "save you money", but you have to keep doing the activity to save the money. The nights and weekends you put into earning that $10,000 additional is work that stays done. You do it for a little while, and then you always have it-- and it even goes up. That's my thing- it's kind of a motto: work that stays done. WTSD. Have you gotten quotes for cleaning lately? Yeah, it is a lot more than minimum wage. As is lawn mowing, painting, furniture repair and everything else pat mentioned. Everything that used to be minimum wage now requires a professional wage, unless you are taking advantage of undocumented status...
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resolution
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Post by resolution on Sept 23, 2015 8:10:01 GMT -5
This is totally it for me. I'm not broke, though I have used it as an excuse not to do something/spend money on something I don't want to. I'll also add that the "I'm broke" mindset seems to be contagious in my group. When my core group of friends starts down the "I'm broke" road, I start feeling the need to "feel" broke too. Sometimes, I feel like it's a competition among them/us. Who's so broke they couldn't eat anything but ramen noodles for the past month? Who's so broke they haven't been to a movie theater in 3 months? I try not to get sucked in, because I know I'm only artificially broke (retirement and savings take up a lot of my income) but when everyone around you is bemoaning their "brokeness" it's hard. I always just say "im broke" when I don't want to do something. It's so much easier then explaining WHY I don't want to do it. "Sorry, can't this weekend, we're broke" I sometimes do the same thing. This weekend our friend's dad was giving us a real hard time because we haven't been on vacation recently, so I told him we were saving for a well. In reality, we have enough money for a vacation and a well, but we have some major issues when it comes to vacation planning. DH doesn't want to plan anything - he wants me to do all the planning but he is dissatisfied with what I try to plan. I haven't reached the point of just buying a trip and telling him we are going. This isn't what I want to tell an old family friend, but he was satisfied with us being broke.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2015 8:18:36 GMT -5
Every minute spent doing minimum wage work instead of paying someone else to do it is a minute you aren't putting your time, talent, and energy to its highest and best use. I always try to look at "saved money" realistically. Let's say you invest your time in earning a degree, a certification, or obtaining a license that will earn you $10,000 more per year than you are currently earning. The cleaning, lawn mowing, and other things might "save you money", but you have to keep doing the activity to save the money. The nights and weekends you put into earning that $10,000 additional is work that stays done. You do it for a little while, and then you always have it-- and it even goes up. That's my thing- it's kind of a motto: work that stays done. WTSD. We're retired. I could spend that time at a McJob, but then I'd have to, like, show up and work. And don't forget the tax factor. Even if I could find someone to do these chores at minimum wage, after taxes are stripped out of MY minimum wage pay, I have to work longer flipping burgers than it takes them to clean the house or mow the lawn. If someone were to offer me consulting work, like playing with big databases and finding interesting stuff- yeah, I'd love that (but not FT). Ain't gonna happen unless I go out and build up business and there's a ton of competition in my field, both from huge firms with more resources and small practices that lowball on prices. I do see your point for people who are still working. When I was starting on the actuarial exams I had a cleaning lady because it was a heck of a lot better investment to study for the exams than vacuum the carpeting. Taking the time to get another certification or a degree that will be valuable pays off a lot better than pulling weeds. Some jobs with billable hours actually provide an immediate payoff for more hours worked. It doesn't apply to us, though. I prefer carefully-chosen DIY projects to conserve cash rather than finding ways to make money.
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AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP
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Post by AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP on Sept 23, 2015 8:33:36 GMT -5
Every minute spent doing minimum wage work instead of paying someone else to do it is a minute you aren't putting your time, talent, and energy to its highest and best use. I always try to look at "saved money" realistically. Let's say you invest your time in earning a degree, a certification, or obtaining a license that will earn you $10,000 more per year than you are currently earning. The cleaning, lawn mowing, and other things might "save you money", but you have to keep doing the activity to save the money. The nights and weekends you put into earning that $10,000 additional is work that stays done. You do it for a little while, and then you always have it-- and it even goes up. That's my thing- it's kind of a motto: work that stays done. WTSD. Have you gotten quotes for cleaning lately? Yeah, it is a lot more than minimum wage. As is lawn mowing, painting, furniture repair and everything else pat mentioned. Everything that used to be minimum wage now requires a professional wage, unless you are taking advantage of undocumented status... I suppose it works out to more than minimum wage, but it does not change the fact that the money you save (earn with your own time, energy, and mental focus) is money you will have to keep saving week in and week out. All together, we spend $310 a month on services- cleaning, lawn, and pool service. We also do not maintain the AC (we do the filters monthly, and pour bleach down the drain monthly when we do the filters), we do not do our own pest control either-- I just don't know what those services cost off the top of my head. The principle is this: Do work that stays done; and in general do what you do best and outsource the rest. Your time, energy, and mental focus are almost ALWAYS put to better use furthering your career- enhancing your income. When you get a $10,000 raise- whatever you had to do to get it is done. You never have to do it again, and you keep that $10,000 a year for the rest of your working life. So, while you may be spending that additional $3,700 and change on services every year, you have roughly $6,300 left over because instead of dusting the knick knacks and vacuuming, you set about getting that raise.
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AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP
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Post by AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP on Sept 23, 2015 8:36:14 GMT -5
Every minute spent doing minimum wage work instead of paying someone else to do it is a minute you aren't putting your time, talent, and energy to its highest and best use. I always try to look at "saved money" realistically. Let's say you invest your time in earning a degree, a certification, or obtaining a license that will earn you $10,000 more per year than you are currently earning. The cleaning, lawn mowing, and other things might "save you money", but you have to keep doing the activity to save the money. The nights and weekends you put into earning that $10,000 additional is work that stays done. You do it for a little while, and then you always have it-- and it even goes up. That's my thing- it's kind of a motto: work that stays done. WTSD. We're retired. I could spend that time at a McJob, but then I'd have to, like, show up and work. And don't forget the tax factor. Even if I could find someone to do these chores at minimum wage, after taxes are stripped out of MY minimum wage pay, I have to work longer flipping burgers than it takes them to clean the house or mow the lawn. If someone were to offer me consulting work, like playing with big databases and finding interesting stuff- yeah, I'd love that (but not FT). Ain't gonna happen unless I go out and build up business and there's a ton of competition in my field, both from huge firms with more resources and small practices that lowball on prices. I do see your point for people who are still working. When I was starting on the actuarial exams I had a cleaning lady because it was a heck of a lot better investment to study for the exams than vacuum the carpeting. Taking the time to get another certification or a degree that will be valuable pays off a lot better than pulling weeds. Some jobs with billable hours actually provide an immediate payoff for more hours worked.It doesn't apply to us, though. I prefer carefully-chosen DIY projects to conserve cash rather than finding ways to make money. Hey- if you're already retired, then mission accomplished. I get it. We could retire technically. We'd have to basically stay at our same lifestyle level, and we aren't happy with that.
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AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP
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Post by AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP on Sept 23, 2015 8:45:07 GMT -5
I always just say "im broke" when I don't want to do something. It's so much easier then explaining WHY I don't want to do it. "Sorry, can't this weekend, we're broke" I sometimes do the same thing. This weekend our friend's dad was giving us a real hard time because we haven't been on vacation recently, so I told him we were saving for a well. In reality, we have enough money for a vacation and a well, but we have some major issues when it comes to vacation planning. DH doesn't want to plan anything - he wants me to do all the planning but he is dissatisfied with what I try to plan. I haven't reached the point of just buying a trip and telling him we are going. This isn't what I want to tell an old family friend, but he was satisfied with us being broke. My pet name for my wife is "the cruise director". She's a natural planner. I would be happy getting in the car and taking a road trip not knowing exactly where we are going, not having any reservations, or specific plans beyond the general sorts of things we like to do-- hiking, scenic drives, visit historic sites, relax at a hotel with a cement pond and a spa. We basically live at Disney world, so that's down to weekenders three or four times a year. But since she likes to plan, I back off and just ask her what we're doing, where we're doing it, and I just show up.
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AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP
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Post by AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP on Sept 23, 2015 8:47:49 GMT -5
This is totally it for me. I'm not broke, though I have used it as an excuse not to do something/spend money on something I don't want to. I'll also add that the "I'm broke" mindset seems to be contagious in my group. When my core group of friends starts down the "I'm broke" road, I start feeling the need to "feel" broke too. Sometimes, I feel like it's a competition among them/us. Who's so broke they couldn't eat anything but ramen noodles for the past month? Who's so broke they haven't been to a movie theater in 3 months? I try not to get sucked in, because I know I'm only artificially broke (retirement and savings take up a lot of my income) but when everyone around you is bemoaning their "brokeness" it's hard. I always just say "im broke" when I don't want to do something. It's so much easier then explaining WHY I don't want to do it. "Sorry, can't this weekend, we're broke" OK, that is annoying as shit to me. Why do people feel the need to provide and explanation? A simple, "no" will do. If people get pushy with me, I simply say I have a prior commitment. If they push farther, I have no problem with saying, "Look, I didn't want to hurt your feelings so I have been trying to avoid telling you that I'm just not interested because I'd rather have a relaxing day at home, but since you won't let it go- there you have it". And yes, I have on more than one occasion said those very words.
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AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP
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Post by AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP on Sept 23, 2015 8:49:21 GMT -5
Money is just as much psychology as math. learning the math is a lot easier for some (me) then changing the psychology. Money is ALL psychology. Money itself is just an idea.
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resolution
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Post by resolution on Sept 23, 2015 8:53:38 GMT -5
I sometimes do the same thing. This weekend our friend's dad was giving us a real hard time because we haven't been on vacation recently, so I told him we were saving for a well. In reality, we have enough money for a vacation and a well, but we have some major issues when it comes to vacation planning. DH doesn't want to plan anything - he wants me to do all the planning but he is dissatisfied with what I try to plan. I haven't reached the point of just buying a trip and telling him we are going. This isn't what I want to tell an old family friend, but he was satisfied with us being broke. My pet name for my wife is "the cruise director". She's a natural planner. I would be happy getting in the car and taking a road trip not knowing exactly where we are going, not having any reservations, or specific plans beyond the general sorts of things we like to do-- hiking, scenic drives, visit historic sites, relax at a hotel with a cement pond and a spa. We basically live at Disney world, so that's down to weekenders three or four times a year. But since she likes to plan, I back off and just ask her what we're doing, where we're doing it, and I just show up. That sounds lovely because you are willing to show up and enjoy the trip without trying to get your wife to change all her plans mid stream. I would love to get DH to Disney but it's one of the ideas that he shot down without proposing an alternative. I don't want to be on here complaining about DH though because he is awesome in other areas, just that I will sometimes use finances as an explanation rather than open up this can of worms.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Sept 23, 2015 10:09:50 GMT -5
Yeah, I was in the middle of cleaning the master bathroom when our financial advisor called. He told me to get a cleaning lady. Nope, I'd rather spend the money on.another trip to Iceland. This morning I scraped dead grass off bare patches in the lawn and reseeded. That will take watering on a regular basis till it's established. Hey, I'm retired. May as well make myself useful. Every minute spent doing minimum wage work instead of paying someone else to do it is a minute you aren't putting your time, talent, and energy to its highest and best use. I always try to look at "saved money" realistically. Let's say you invest your time in earning a degree, a certification, or obtaining a license that will earn you $10,000 more per year than you are currently earning. The cleaning, lawn mowing, and other things might "save you money", but you have to keep doing the activity to save the money. The nights and weekends you put into earning that $10,000 additional is work that stays done. You do it for a little while, and then you always have it-- and it even goes up. That's my thing- it's kind of a motto: work that stays done. WTSD. Not everything is about maximizing money and energy. I need a mental break from my day job. I can either sit around and stare at the walls, or I can do my own cleaning. I do my own cleaning.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2015 10:14:43 GMT -5
Every minute spent doing minimum wage work instead of paying someone else to do it is a minute you aren't putting your time, talent, and energy to its highest and best use. I always try to look at "saved money" realistically. Let's say you invest your time in earning a degree, a certification, or obtaining a license that will earn you $10,000 more per year than you are currently earning. The cleaning, lawn mowing, and other things might "save you money", but you have to keep doing the activity to save the money. The nights and weekends you put into earning that $10,000 additional is work that stays done. You do it for a little while, and then you always have it-- and it even goes up. That's my thing- it's kind of a motto: work that stays done. WTSD. Not everything is about maximizing money and energy. I need a mental break from my day job. I can either sit around and stare at the walls, or I can do my own cleaning. I do my own cleaning. Yeah, mowing is my time of meditation. I tune out the world and recharge, soaking up the sun, while the mower drowns out the sounds of the kids fighting. DS has been wanting to take over the chore but I don't want to give it up.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Sept 23, 2015 10:26:15 GMT -5
Not everything is about maximizing money and energy. I need a mental break from my day job. I can either sit around and stare at the walls, or I can do my own cleaning. I do my own cleaning. Yeah, mowing is my time of meditation. I tune out the world and recharge, soaking up the sun, while the mower drowns out the sounds of the kids fighting. DS has been wanting to take over the chore but I don't want to give it up. What?! No! People aren't allowed to like doing household chores! You could be working instead of taking that mental break or pride in your own hard work!
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AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP
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Favorite Drink: Sweetwater 420
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Post by AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP on Sept 23, 2015 10:28:38 GMT -5
Every minute spent doing minimum wage work instead of paying someone else to do it is a minute you aren't putting your time, talent, and energy to its highest and best use. I always try to look at "saved money" realistically. Let's say you invest your time in earning a degree, a certification, or obtaining a license that will earn you $10,000 more per year than you are currently earning. The cleaning, lawn mowing, and other things might "save you money", but you have to keep doing the activity to save the money. The nights and weekends you put into earning that $10,000 additional is work that stays done. You do it for a little while, and then you always have it-- and it even goes up. That's my thing- it's kind of a motto: work that stays done. WTSD. Not everything is about maximizing money and energy. I need a mental break from my day job. I can either sit around and stare at the walls, or I can do my own cleaning. I do my own cleaning. If it's your hobby, or you enjoy doing it- fine. I just don't like these people that piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. If you like it- fine, just don't try to convince me your doing it has anything to do with the money involved. In the first place, DIY is rarely even a money saver- and when it is, as I've pointed out, it's not the best thing you could do from a financial standpoint-- and that's what we're talking about here at YM. The I just want to have a lot of time off and hug my kids forum is somewhere else.
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AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:59:07 GMT -5
Posts: 31,709
Favorite Drink: Sweetwater 420
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Post by AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP on Sept 23, 2015 10:31:43 GMT -5
My pet name for my wife is "the cruise director". She's a natural planner. I would be happy getting in the car and taking a road trip not knowing exactly where we are going, not having any reservations, or specific plans beyond the general sorts of things we like to do-- hiking, scenic drives, visit historic sites, relax at a hotel with a cement pond and a spa. We basically live at Disney world, so that's down to weekenders three or four times a year. But since she likes to plan, I back off and just ask her what we're doing, where we're doing it, and I just show up. That sounds lovely because you are willing to show up and enjoy the trip without trying to get your wife to change all her plans mid stream. I would love to get DH to Disney but it's one of the ideas that he shot down without proposing an alternative. I don't want to be on here complaining about DH though because he is awesome in other areas, just that I will sometimes use finances as an explanation rather than open up this can of worms. Fortunately, DW and I share a Disney fanaticism. Did you catch the documentary on Walt on PBS recently? Very interesting stuff. Anyhoo- yeah, I'm not a big "planner" so my thing is if she wants to have plans, she's gotta make them- BUT, I will also not complain when I let her plan and she does just that.
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Deleted
Joined: Oct 7, 2024 0:19:49 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2015 10:34:04 GMT -5
By the way I'm retired too, but why hire someone to do all this? I fight my weight now and if I didn't work hard I would be HUGE. Also I have osteoarthritis and for me to sit down would be disastrous to my mobility. Why hire people to work then go to a therapist or have to go exercise somewhere to do what plain old physical work will accomplish? I agree- it makes no sense for me to pay someone to mow the lawn so I can go off to the fitness center. Like you, I also do a lot of errands in my bicycle in good weather. I was SO happy to find out how many useful businesses were within bicycle-riding radius of our new place.
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wyouser
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 16:35:20 GMT -5
Posts: 12,126
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Post by wyouser on Sept 23, 2015 10:40:29 GMT -5
With the technology available today it is extremely easy to make money.........most, however, don't attempt it BECAUSE.....they tend to send you up the river to the "crossbar Hilton" when you get caught making your own money........There is just NO sense of humor among those folks in charge of the rest of us..........
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movingforward
Junior Associate
Joined: Sept 15, 2011 12:48:31 GMT -5
Posts: 8,385
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Post by movingforward on Sept 23, 2015 10:45:06 GMT -5
By the way I'm retired too, but why hire someone to do all this? I fight my weight now and if I didn't work hard I would be HUGE. Also I have osteoarthritis and for me to sit down would be disastrous to my mobility. Why hire people to work then go to a therapist or have to go exercise somewhere to do what plain old physical work will accomplish? I agree- it makes no sense for me to pay someone to mow the lawn so I can go off to the fitness center. Like you, I also do a lot of errands in my bicycle in good weather. I was SO happy to find out how many useful businesses were within bicycle-riding radius of our new place. It does if you have absolutely zero desire to spend your time mowing the lawn. I would much rather get my exercise in Zumba class. It is just a trade off like anything else. Something else may get cut from the budget but I would rather cut that out than have to mow my own lawn. That is just me... I completely get your reasoning though.
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AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:59:07 GMT -5
Posts: 31,709
Favorite Drink: Sweetwater 420
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Post by AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP on Sept 23, 2015 15:27:46 GMT -5
With the technology available today it is extremely easy to make money.........most, however, don't attempt it BECAUSE.....they tend to send you up the river to the "crossbar Hilton" when you get caught making your own money........There is just NO sense of humor among those folks in charge of the rest of us.......... I had a very hard time 3D printing myself some of that paper.
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