People are living above their means ....simple as that....now when times get hard they want to cry....I'm sorry but you should of thought of that before you got into a heavy debt life style way above your means.....now its gonna hurt. We all make choices.......credit has ruined many lives financially...its up to you to manage it properly.
I hope these people make it through & adjust to whats happening asap...the time to prepare for this was past due.
All of our situations are different & only you can make the changes hopefully for the better.
**************************************
Donny......you're merciless!

Merciless? Hmmmmm? I dont think so.
Remember I live in this world also, I'm not perfect by any stretch of the imagination....I have made huge financial mistakes in my life also, BUT, thankfully I learned by those mistakes very well & changed those bad financial habits and little by little made my life more comfortable. If you cant take the truth I'm sorry for that, I mean no misfortune to anyone...just making a statement of how I perceive what the heck is going on out there in this crazy world, & hope someone will absorb what I'm saying for the better. .....it's all right there in front of everyones nose LOOK AROUND YOU !
Instead of complaining be a leader & make the required changes to better the problems.
Take care of #1 no one else will.

Have a nice day



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 06-11-2008).]

One thing I learned years ago is to always live BELOW your means. When I was in Corporate America, I also worked 6 nights a week in the music biz. I NEVER counted on this money. I contributed the max to my 401K, had a nice company retirement, saved a little of my playing money and spent the rest. I NEVER committed any of the music income long-term. For example, I would buy a Mazda or similar car I could easily afford on my day-gig pay instead of buying a Mercedes or more expensive vehicle.

Even though the kids are grown and on their own (except for all too frequent financial "emergencies"), I still bank my playing money...buy way too many toys...donate to several causes. But, I'm set for life. When the farm sold in 2000, I built a modest house
which cost about 10% of what I got for the property.

I feel guilty about what I have sometimes, but am comfortable and support the people and causes I care about.

If I never worked another day, I'd be comfortable for life. But, even though i could collect full retirement and SS within a few years, I'M NOT EVEN CLOSE to retiring!

Take care of your families and plan for your retirement! Pay off your residence or downsize when you get near retirement to fund your lifestyle.

Most of all, DON'T LIVE ABOVE YOUR MEANS! And, enjoy your time with those close to you!


Russ

My goal is to owe a million dollars when I die. I'll be that much AHEAD!
Seriously, I'm now paying as much for a tank of gas as most of you did a year or so ago. LOVE my Scion XB! 34 mpg!
DonM

Bose equipment - pool - drinks: Look who has the money

Russ its all right there in one sentence

Great post!

I'm looking, and I don't see any money around here. I work very hard to have a few nice things. The pool came with the house, and my fence needs replacing. I can't afford it. I don't drink. I can't afford it, and I don't generally like the way I see pwople act when they do.
As for the Bose - I can't afford NOT to use it. It is by far the most efficient use of money and space that gives me a superior sound in any venue. That one has made it possible for me to make enough money to pay the bills. I have a 5 yr old car, a 30 yr old heater that is on it's last legs, and I'm one of the newer teachers in a very small, private school. No large public school salaries at our place. We do it for the kids.

So, my friend, if you think I have anything of real value - I do ...... family, friends, and the feeling of doing good work each ady b4 I sleep. That's why I work, and that's why I get so upset when someone makes me work harder just to stay even.

Sigh ..... I'm sorry for the rant. I am really almost content with most of my life. The troubles I brought upon my self a few years ago are almost forgotton by most, my health is good, my kids are amazing. Maybe one day I'll find a way to settle the whole Donna issue. For now ..... all my work goes into making the kids happy. Dad will have his day, one day.

What a cool thread this has become - it is really interesting how we get to a certain age and place in our lives and we suddenly discover what is really important in our lives. I don't know most of the members here being somewhat new but there have been some very wise thoughts given in this thread. I too am retired and "set" as they say for the rest of my life - great kids, a wife who I could never say enough good things about, and now all I have to do is stay healthy and continue to do little things for folks less fortunate than myself. To this day we still are frugal about our spending. I have friends who always ask us how we "afford" some of the things we have and do. What they really want to ask is how much are you worth or where does you money come from. Little do they know it is all because of hard work and budgets over the last 50 years. I taught school most of my life and I can't remember a time that I didn't have at least one other job to go along with it - mostly music jobs. Many were the nights I would get home after 2AM from a music gig and be at school in the classroom at 8AM on the job.

Seems like a lot of the folks under 30 I meet think the world owes them a living and to even suggest a 2nd or 3rd job is a personal insult to them. I was always taught you get out of life what you put into it.

Wow! I usually don't get on a soapbox.

Hammer



[This message has been edited by hammer (edited 06-12-2008).]

ok so there you have it.......everyone is $loaded$ here so no need for increases on gig rates lets all head to teh beach today an enjoy the Music, Bikinis, Casinos Beer & Knishes!! Yipppeeee!

Life is good

Very well said, Hammer! And, Dave, I'd adopt you in a second, you "old softie", you!

And I kid Don a lot, but he got where he is the hard way...HE EARNED IT! (we like our Scion's, too, Don).

R.