Did you see Oprah today??? 2/25/09

[gja1000]

That is so true Janet. Things cost more today than they did back then, comparatively speaking too. But we "buy" more now, cuz there is more to buy. We all know we have too much stuff - but everyone does!!!

This is a good lesson, painful as it is.

[Janet]

Really made me think Gayle. I mean we have three 4 TV's in this house. One goes out so we really are fine. Hubby wants to get it fixed (and we are) but he also wants to buy a cheap one because it's just a matter of time before the one in the bedroom goes out. I think we should wait, but it just isn't worth the argument. So if he has the money saved up some where....more power to him. He has always had his private stash...not sure where he comes up with the money, but he always had some.

[DianaB]

That is so sad. I can't imagine living on the street when I had family that I could live with. So many people live pay check to pay check and when they lose their job they have nothing to fall back on. So there's probably a lot of families that are just a pay check away from being homeless. The thought of a child living on the street really bothers me. I would like to think that in our small community that people would open their homes to others in need but I don't know. In my family we've often talked about that if things were to get bad then the kids would all move in here with us.

[Tiramisu]

I got home in time to catch part of the show. I felt so bad for the couple in their office. It reminded me of the 20 days we had without water and electricity after Hurricane Ike.

Of course, there are lots of homeless people on the streets of downtown Houston and in shelters. I always say, "There, but by the grace of God, go I".

Our house is paid off, but there's still taxes and insurance. I worry about my kids and g-kids.

[gja1000]

My daughter always says that if her hubby loses his job, they'll just move in with us - AND SHE MEANS IT!!! She's a school teacher and they could hardly live on her salary. I suppose we could make it if we all pooled our money (our house is almost paid for). I would never allow her or my granddaughters to live on the street, but there's no worry about that, cuz dd wouldn't do it.

Gary and I spend way too much money, we should save more than we do. But I remember times, not too long ago, when we lived paycheck to paycheck and there was simply no way to save any at all! Now, I am trying to let Gary do some things that he has never gotten to do, espeically travel. That's what we usually spend too much money on is travel.

[Janet]

Our house will be paid off in a few more years and the rental house is already paid for. My husband wastes a lot of money on Scout stuff when I feel the Scout troop should be paying for it. We need things for the house, but he would never want to spend money for that. He's pretty selfish when it comes to 'his' money.

I was really hoping (before the economy got to bad) that I could find a good used motorhome for a little of nothing and spend my summer traveling to meet you all......lol. I could just pack up the dogs and go, but until the house is paid for....it's just not going to happen.

[gja1000]

Originally Posted by Janet

We need things for the house, but he would never want to spend money for that. He's pretty selfish when it comes to 'his' money.

You mentioned earlier that Rick always has "stash" money. So does Gary! How do they do it??? Gary will spend that stash money on me or things for the house, so I am lucky in that respect.

Isn't it funny, I remember my mom talking about how my grandma would "stash" money to pay the taxes on the farm (or pay for other things), because she couldn't depend on grandpa to save enough to pay them. Now, you and I have MEN who stash money. They have taken on grandma's role!!! LOL!