[babydawn]

I ask this question quite simply because, in the area I live in, EVERYONE cares about status... okay, not everyone. I ask because the savings rate in the US is at -2%. Which means people on average are spending more then they make.... why do they do this? I would assume it is because they want to have the nicest house, car, furniture, clothes, jewelry, etc... I am often confronted with friends who will risk many things financially to look like they have more money then they do. I know someone who said that he didn't care if he had money as long as he looked like he did (well hey, at least he was honest, I have to give him that). I also know people who wouldn't dream of driving a car that was more than a few years old and it has me wondering, do you care about status? Why or why not?

[MissyChrissy]

Nope, I don't care one fig what anyone else thinks. Family is very important to me. The outdoors-berry picking with my family for instance-gives me far greater pleasure than what anyone else could think of me. I do not need fancy clothes, cars, homes, or anything else.

Happiness comes from inside. It really does. I feel sorry for anyone who thinks they're going to find it by surrounding themselves with materials. Those people are never truly happy-not on a deep, personal level.

[angelic_ky]

i don't care about status... i rather live with what i can afford and not have to stress about bills then have nice things and always stressed

[Alejandros Mommy]

My parents have friends that are SO materialistic. They are in SOOO much debt that their great grand-children will have to pay it off....they refuse to live within their means. I remember her talking to my dad telling him that their phone was cut off in one sentence because they couldn't pay it off...then the next sentence that they spent 1000$ getting someone to paint their house! WOW!

When we got our house we wanted to make sure that we were not "house" poor. We have a nice home....and have money left over to do things we want to do. I never want to end up up to my "eye balls"in debt, like I have seen many people do.

I agree with you Chrissy

Those people are never truly happy-not on a deep, personal level.

There is more to life then material things.

[tancee]

I know to well about people who are trying to keep up materialisticly with others. I know someone thats on fixed income and every government program there is but, still manages to buy things she can't afford. She would rather be late paying a bill and be broke to look like she has more than she does.
I don't care about social status, I'm a take me as I am kinda person. If you can't accept that so be it. I think the love for materialistic things are over rated. The world would be a better place without it.

[mommy2067]

Originally Posted by MissyChrissy

Nope, I don't care one fig what anyone else thinks. Family is very important to me. The outdoors-berry picking with my family for instance-gives me far greater pleasure than what anyone else could think of me. I do not need fancy clothes, cars, homes, or anything else.

Happiness comes from inside. It really does. I feel sorry for anyone who thinks they're going to find it by surrounding themselves with materials. Those people are never truly happy-not on a deep, personal level.

I agree completely about the happiness comes from the inside...if people are only going to be happy b/c of the material things they surround themselves with than what happens if that stuff goes away...or the "happiness" from those things dissipates...then what...that 's when they go out and buy bigger, better stuff and the cycle continues...sad really....I do like nice things but I am not going to hinge my happiness on inanimate objects!!!

We are in debt just from everyday living expenses etc.(all the little extras thrown in each day) and right now the income coming in is not enough to completely meet all the demands...we do the best we can right now....stressful?? Yes sometimes...but I don't want to be sooo focused on the money that that is all I think about..."This too shall pass"..I know that everything will work out and that the Good Lord will provide...That which doesn't break us makes us stronger, right? We have a roof over our head, food in our tummies, and we are all healthy and love one another and we are surrounded by family and friends...so we are richer than alot of people!!!! The rest will sort itself out...

So in a nutshell, I truly don't care about status or keeping up with the Jones'.....and I feel for those who do!!!

[mcmama]

I hear you about the debt issue because for me it is everyday things, struggling to keep up here, and having had a few financial setbacks that piled up. The struggle to keep up really isn't about status, because we are at the bottom of the pile in terms of monthly expenses anyway - the mortgage payment is the same as renting here, so that at least means there is some equity.

The weird thing for me with my relocation to Florida, some folks think that I am doing it for frivolous reasons. I grew up down there, and while I have no family left and friends have scattered, I miss the way of life. It is also WAAYY more affordable than northern NJ, the land of no walmarts and high taxes. Living within my means will enable me to buy a home that is much nicer than the one that I am now living in - for less than I pay here. But it will look like I am selfishly pursuing the good life to many folks here. For one thing, my youngest son will stay behind with his dad to finish senior year of high school. Not a pleasant thought - but there is a greater good to doing this now as opposed to later - long term physical and financial health! And freedom from a truly burdensome worry. That is really something to look forward to.

I have a friend who is a mechanic who is looking to buy a high performance durable car for me at auction and restore it for me. My ford taurus has 130,000+ miles on it, and while he has been doing the maintenance, it is getting to a point where it is just not worth putting money into it. For the cost of a used ford I can have a used bmw or mercedes. But I know there will be people who think that is just too fancy.

I don't have the body for being a fashionista, but if I did, you can bet I would be doing what my mom and grandma did - looking for good quality well designed clothing for less. My mom was always one to spend on shoes. She wanted quality and durability. Well, she would be horrified to see the really cheap shoes that I wear out and throw away - but they are incredibly comfortable and stylish, and cheap. Makes more sense to find what I like on sale, buy several pairs, and wear them out.

Once I sell my house and leave NJ, I will be able to buy a better home for less in Florida and get rid of my high interest debt incurred over the past 10 years of family and financial chaos. Once that's done, I'll buy that car from my friend - and donate my clunker for a tax deduction (or sell it to my oldest son).

But it will LOOK like I am shamelessly living beyond my means, living in a nice house and driving an expensive car.

Oh well, you know us older single women, we're such hussies!

[babydawn]

Originally Posted by mcmama

Oh well, you know us older single women, we're such hussies!

mcmama... you are too funny. I think it is great you are going to improve your quality of life for less, there is nothing wrong with that. I didn't mean my post to come off judgemental of those who are trying to improve their lifestyles, for we all do that. I suppose I was just wondering how important status was to some, because it seems like such an important thing to people where I live.

[mama2riley]

Originally posted by Lessly:

There is more to life then material things.

That says it all for me!

[mumi_mckay]

we not materialistic. we live nicely but not to the point where it isnt who we are. we dont spend what we dont have. i think people want what they cant have. for some reason its more appealing but it doesnt make you really happy its an empty happiness having to constantly be filled by the next best thing.