Fine--**** it. I quit. Someone else can make up the $50K+ in taxes I pay every year. I can file bankruptcy and walk away from my bills.
Except I can't. I'm not wired like that. I wasn't raised that way. You know--RESPONSIBILITY and shit like that.
Hey, I'd love a cheap ****ing lunch, but I brown bag it because I can't leave WORK. You know, that thing most of us do to put OUR OWN food on our tables, clothes on our backs, etc.
I'm not one to live off the labor of others, vesta. Not my style, never has been, never will be. Free? Not a word in my book.
Sparky, My point is that one does not have to be wealthy to be RICH. Or vice verse.
Work time Combined with my husbands is over 90 years of paying taxes giving to charity raising 4 kids--on my side-- and helping out family when they needed it. We have weathered the storm of life---in the early 2000's we each lost over $150,00 from our 401k plan, years of toil to see it vanish. But at no time did we feel poor or downtrodden, we just went on to work and started saving over again--not easy to do after 50 years of age.
We listened to Mothers chant on Save your money for your old age and never buy on credit unless you can pay it all back with cash next week.
So just once did we buy a new car for $9,000 a KIA , still have it with 50,000 miles on it.---Its a 2001 and in perfect condition. We bought the Jeep a 2000 repo with 18,000 miles and paid them both off by working over time and doubling and tripling our monthly payments.
We planed on how to survive in case one of us could not work due to death, layoff, or disability. Never did we expect I would become totally disabled within 15 years but it worked out well so far.
We do take advantage of our AARP , an AAA discount cards in the summer, it is not like these cards are FREE. Yearly dues have to be paid.
Yes we are thrifty, and look for the best deal we can find for entertainment. Twice a year the town library has a book sale and boxes and boxes are FREE. We coupon and buy one get one FREE. We attend town party's and get a day of entertainment FREE. We check out any and all exhibits for the day attendance is FREE. When Seniors off -1/4 the price, yes we take them every chance we get. Local paper has coupons for restaurants we have never gone to before that advertise buy one meal get the other one FREE.
When a book signing comes to town with someone like Stephen King and public attendance is Free, I am the first in line to head out to hear what old Stephen has to say.
You Sparky make it sound like it is a sin to accept any and all offers for anything Free.
All the sad people that lost their homes because they were over their heads in debt they knew they could not afford, still bought Autos with a $500.00 a month bill. Took their kids to 3 Flags etc. and spent $300.00 for one day to go nuts.----IDIOTS. With FREE tickets from the library and free parking a day at the Boston Science Museum for kids, will give them something to think about and no one throws up after a ride.
Nothing wrong with shopping for a new suit when the advertisers say---buy one get another one FREE. Tailoring included.
Instead of griping about taxes and people getting something FREE, how about YOU making a game of it, clip coupons, shop the sales, take a date to a FREE chowder festival. Buy pet food on sale, buy one get one FREE.
Take your savings and put it in a gallon jug, empty your pockets of change every night and put all over time money in that JUG. Every couple of months empty out the Jug and put the money in a separate savings account. You can forgo eating out 2 nights a week, figure out the total cost for the meal + tip and stash that money in the jug.
The biggest problem we as Americans have is the ease we let our hard earned money slip away due to impulse buying and --OH< I just have to have that new gizmo's advertised on TV.
Sparky you must have a lovely home to be taxes of $5,000 on it a year. Think about what the taxes will be in 5-7 years from now.
There is nothing immoral about taking advantage of any money saving thing that comes your way. Go on a savings bender, take 2 months to go freaky with how much you can save, Free or discount. Learn to barter and trade, someone could use your old lawnmower, what do they have to trade for it.
Think of me as your mother telling you how to survive. You are not getting younger Cup Cake, time to take controll of your finances as we never know what will happen tomorrow.---Now go wash your hands and face, brush your teeth and go to bed.