Anyone still feel like they belong to the middle-class? Vent...

[tabsmonsters]

Cynthia,

I hate to hear about the treatment of a service member! My DH is active duty USMC. Is there nothing that can be done to appeal the reductions? That is just not right!! I hope things start looking up for you guys. Our guys (and girls!!) deserve more than they get!

 

[speckledhen]

I guess he could start the fight to appeal, but he just hates fighting for crumbs. He's even had surgery after a temporary duty trip to Texas had him flown back in a wheelchair when a disc blew. It was after that, they gave him 20%. Then one day out of the blue, he got the letter reducing even that piddly amt. He just hates fighting, so I dont know if he'll ever appeal it. It really does nothing for him anyway.

 

[tabsmonsters]

I am sorry to hear that. I can understand not wanting to fight it, I bet it would be tough.

 

[hcammack]

LOL and only last week I was asking missprissy to adopt me now I have a line going around the block

Don't worry I am taking full advantage of my parents $ but not wasting it on useless stuff. I am traveling now so that I can stay at home with the many animals I plan on having later. We have gone to Australia, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Mexico in the last few years I plan on staying home on my farm when I am older

they are also spending big $ on my education which does put me under pressure but I have been sucessful so far and I guess school is alright

Henry

 

[d.k]

* YES!!!! EGGZETTERA!!! THANK YOU!!! "Maxed Out". That's the name of the movie. That little film blew my mind!!!

 

[kees]

I work with a number of younger women who are getting married for the first time. I can't believe the amount of money that they're spending on NECESSITIES...live band, a nice hall, food, invitations, dresses, multiple bridemaids, showers, photographers, videographers, honeymoons, etc. I want to say them...save your money and put a down payment on a house!

 

[RobinEgg]

I've always felt I was rich. No not in terms of monetary value but in the fact that I have a wonderful family, we have a home, food and clothing. My husband and I both work and earn a moderate income. Our home is in no way fancy , but it's ours built by our own hands over the years as we found time and saved money.
Our automobiles aren't for show but transportation. I've never bought into the brand name clothing, why should I work hard to wear someone else's name . We've taught our children that clothes don't make the person and that money doesn't buy happiness, and if they hold it against us they haven't been brave enough to bring it up.
The majority of the people I know are of the commercialized mine set. They work hours and hours of overtime, missing their children growing up , so they can take vacations to busy places and buy expensive purses and designer clothing , live in homes they can't really relax and enjoy. Yes they complain about how tired they are and how many hrs they've worked. Yet for some unknown reason they just can't seem to understand why they aren't happy. They look at me funny when I say why don't you just try staying home with your family. They can't understand how I can be happy at home with my family and pets.
America has became so commercialized that we have forgotten that the necessities are what is important not the wants imposed upon us by the media. This is so sad and brings with it a lot of misery.
I'm not so sure how we class people today , but as someone here said....I'm in the blessed class.

 

[Guitartists]

You know, this post makes me think..... we always feel sorry for people in other countries who live in small villages and don't have the same lifestyle as we do.. and yes, there are those with issues like famine and disease.... but not all villages suffer from these... and yet many Americans would think less of any villager. There is something to be said about a simple lifestyle. I would live like that in a heartbeat! A different set of challenges no doubt! But a better knowledge and appreciation of Mother Earth, family and happiness.

 

[DuckyBoys]

I'm with you RobinEgg...I feel blessed and I could care less what others think of what I wear or drive. That stuff is not important to me. I have made many unconventional choices over the years to be able to spend time with my kids and although it has been stressful at times - I will never look back and say why didn't I spend more time with them?

I only work part time right now and I have been struggling with the option of going back full time to make considerably more money - but why? I can live off of what I make now, will more money make things better? I don't automatically think so.

I love being home with my kids and animals, homeschooling, and working from home most of the time.

 

[Redfeathers]

Quote:
I agree. I was watching the travel channel and Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre foods was in Borneo I think...anyway, the village created this feast in his honor and you could tell all the neighbors were close to eachother, everyone shared what they had and a simple way of life with everyone helping eachother is how they live daily. I looked at my husband and said I would much rather live in a cozy little hut with good neighbors and yak meat, fish, planted crops and hand spun clothing then live like this, not knowing if we will have a job next month, wondering how to pay the bills if something goes wrong. Plus I like how everyone helped eachother. They may be poor but they live rich and every single person in that simple village was HAPPY. What would that be like?