In regards to the post on too many bathrooms...

[buffettgirl]

I agree with Melody's post. There is nothing inherently wrong with money or using it to have nice things. There is a problem with spending all of your money, or borrowing money, to try to satisfy yourself. My DH and I don't have cable, but it's because we don't watch much TV and it would be a waste of money. We have a cell phone bought just this summer in order to be in touch with our disabled son while we were camping. When we aren't traveling, it sits in a drawer, turned off. We spent a great deal (at least it seems like a great deal) on weekend great aways and dining out. BUT, we also tithe 10% of our income to our church and give to other charities we feel strongly about. If you want to know what is important to a person, look in their checkbook. If you want people to say TV is important to you, so be it. If you want people to say other people, animals, the planet,etc. are important to you, then you have to put your money where your mouth is.

 

[tillard]

I'ts been interesting to read the reply's to my "inner thoughts" . I hope people didn't take my post as a slight towards people that have the things I mentioned...like I said I just kind of wrote down the inner dialogue I was having to MYSELF...that's all.

I, like many, have become very accustomed to the "luxuries" that our family is able to afford in life (and that's what they are, just as 5 bathrooms are to a richer individual)...the original post just made me take a step back and realize that I couldn't necessarily pass judgement on someone who has millions of dollars to spend on 5 bathrooms (and feel as though they "needed" them)...since in comparable terms we spend quite a bit on less expensive "luxuries" everyday that I swear up and down I "need".

I hadn't even thought of the dishwasher, washer/dryer, microwave, and ipod...not to mention my crazy video collection. And for those who are able to get by day in and day out without cable...I so wish I could take a lesson from you :7 :7 :7 !! TV is like my drug of choice...I guess it's better that it's Grey's Anatomy and anything "reality tv" based, than alcohol or drugs right !! Thanks for the great dialogue...being a stay at home mom of a 2 year old and 3 year old it's nice to keep the brain working .

Deni

 

[JeanneMarie]

>
>I have no doubt the majority of folks these days, if polled,
>would swear they could not survive w/o their cells. Well,
>most of us did until pretty recently, our parents did, our
>grandparents did, and so on.....what makes you think you
>can't? ("you" being used in the generic sense of course)
>
>Put your cell phones down people! No one wants to hear your
>conversations, save them for the privacy of your own home! x(
>

While I agree with you about the aggravation of listening to people talk on and on in inappropriate public places (restaurants, stores, etc.), I have to say that if you don't have kids, then you probably don't understand the necessity of being in touch.

Granted, we grew up just fine without cell phones, as did generations before us, but if you have the technology available to keep your kids safer, why not use it?

As the mom of a teen who hasn't been driving all that long, it gives me great peace of mind to know that he is a phone call away if he has troubles. He can let me know where he is, what time he'll be home, and if he'll be late. Cell phones are wonderful things for parents, and I am thankful every day for this modern convenience.

 

[sunnyside]

I've gone without much for so many years that I'm estatic to be able to now have a "loaded" car with "heated" seats and I also think my cell phone is the neatest thing ever. I love being able to be in constant contact with my family. I work very hard and I am going to spoil myself when I can. The kids are all grown and damit I deserve it. LOL!!!

PS. I still live in a small house with 2 baths.

 

[obrn]

We went from 2 pd. off cars to 2 car payments 3 yrs. ago. It just was rotten timing. We'll do a BIG dance when both are paid off and plan to drive them into the ground after that (like our last 2). The big downside is having a 17 yr. old son who has a car. Insurance is astronimical for that demographic (he's an honor student, athlete, works p/t to cover his insurance).
We have basic cable and enjoy what we do watch of it. Our bill is about $30/mo. I get HBO for the Sopranos and cancel right after the season is done so I don't get hooked on any new shows. (I have rented some and enjoyed them).
Just put our netflix membership on hold after realizing we've gone >1 mo. without watching one DVD.
Both my kids have cell phones which they almost never take w/ them and never turn on (much to my annoyance when I need to reach them. Then again, I only use mine for emergencies or when I'm on call for my job (too cheap for call waiting!)
As for bathrooms, we have 3. I ask you, how many is one woman supposed to clean?! My husband is one of four kids, all grew up w/ one bathroom and survived w/ great hygiene habits.
It's crazy the stuff we think we need.
Valerie

 

[dorothyrd]

Make sure you get a good student discount on you boy, and the other tip is to make sure his main car is the cheapest to insure. That helped us bunches with insurance costs.

And I sooooo wanted heated car seats, but I only get those in the summer!!!

 

[jacqued]

This is a great thread. I like reading everyone's take on what they think is important and what's not. How some can survive without cable and others cannot, and cellphones, etc. Personally, I don't have a TV in my house or cable. (Although sometimes I wish I did, like tonight when Dancing with the Stars premieres) I work out to Cathe on my computer. I do have a cellphone and an ipod though.

I wanted to post in the other thread about the excessive bathrooms but I never had a chance. So I'll post my thoughts about it here.

My DH and I are buying a house that is under construction and should be done in about 6 weeks. I am so excited about finally having a "real house" after 15 years of marriage. (We've lived the last 10 years in a manufactured home in a mobile home park and before that in an apartment.) However, I worry about what people will think about my new home. It is 5600 square feet with 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. And I only have 3 kids!

We weren't planning on buying something this large but we had the opportunity to purchase this home at an excellent price so we decided to; even if it is more than what we need. We've been looking for a home to buy for three years and haven't been able to find anything that fit our needs or that we liked. We live in a rural area that doesn't have a lot of options for housing. This is why we chose to buy this house. I'm afraid of people "judging" me though because of my house, wondering why we think we need a house that is so big. Just as I felt like I was looked down upon for living in a "trailer park" I now feel like I have to justify why our new house is so big.

I know not everyone feels that way but a lot of people do and it bothers me a little. I look at it this way; it's not what you have but what you do with what you have. My things don't define me as a person. I realize that what I have is a blessing from God and I don't take any of it for granted. Nor do I think I am better than anybody else. But there are people out there who will judge me by my house, by the car that I drive, how I dress and so on.

Thanks for letting me vent a little
Jacque

 

[nancy324]

I know for a fact that I can live without all of the things you mentioned, because I remember a time before any of those things was invented. But I like things much better now.

I've had 7 TV channels and I've had 1000 TV channels and I like 1000 better. I've had no cell phone, and I've had a cell phone and I like having one better. I've stood on bank lines, and I've used ATMs and I like ATMs better. I've had no internet, dial-up internet and DSL internet and I like DSL best. I could go on and on!

I've lived too long without these wonderful things to ever take them for granted. I think about how much I appreciate them almost every day!

I know that was a bit off topic. Sorry. As for 5 bathrooms, I've given up hope of ever having two. :-(
-Nancy

 

[buffettgirl]

Nancy, you are right about having and have noting, and preferring the having. And I felt a little guilty, hoping I didn't come off self righteous or something in my first post. I just think people are willing to pay for what they feel is important. I got to thinking that some folks here may see my car pictures and think she has a lot of room to talk, but even though we have 5 cars, we have 3 drivers, 2 are just for fun, and the newest car is 10 years old!