You can tell a lot about a person by how they present themselves to the world. But, (and this is a big but) how accurate is it?
You see your neighbours purchasing new vehicles, bigger homes, motor homes and yearly trips to Mexico. And you wonder...how do they afford that?
I wish I had the guts to go and ask them. But the one thing I have learned is that - things are not always what they seem.
After 17 years of marriage I have seen my share of marriages/relationships fail because of financial matters. It becomes a one-up-manship. "If you can buy a new ATV, I'm going to buy new furniture". Ok, those are pretty big purchases but you get the idea. I know numerous friends that hide what they buy from their husbands and husbands hiding money from their wives.
I think you know what ends up eventually happening to those relationships. They can only last so long before either debt is too high or someone just can't handle the strain any more.
I call this the "Joneses Syndrome". Where if our others have it we MUST have it also to make ourselves feel better and feel worthy. Or you deserve it... whatever. If you can't pay cash for it you shouldn't be buying it. Tough talk. But take it to heart that sometimes we truly need to be more grateful for what we have already rather than always wanting more.
I just watched this movie called The Joneses that shows you exactly (well in an exaggerated way) what happens when you think a family is one way (they are hired to make you want to buy what they have) and you try to be like them. Interesting...watch it.
Don't get me wrong I would love to buy new vehicles, take the kids on trips...etc. But their was no way we could do it. (OK, having 6 kids in 9 years had a huge impact on this. Yes, I know this was our choice). We had a car that I had to be sure I parked to drive forward as their was no reverse
( we just had our third baby then) and I would always get stuck going up hills.
We promised our oldest that we would go to Disneyworld so many times that now that we are going - none of her friends believed her. She is now 16 yrs btw. But the trip will be fully paid for BEFORE we leave - nothing on credit.
It took us a long time to dig ourselves out of a financial hole and that was with just the day to cost of living. But with things breaking down, kids needing braces, and husband in school it was tough.
But I figure man, if we could do it anyone could do it. Have you made that bank appointment yet?
I wish I had the guts to go and ask them. But the one thing I have learned is that - things are not always what they seem.
After 17 years of marriage I have seen my share of marriages/relationships fail because of financial matters. It becomes a one-up-manship. "If you can buy a new ATV, I'm going to buy new furniture". Ok, those are pretty big purchases but you get the idea. I know numerous friends that hide what they buy from their husbands and husbands hiding money from their wives.
I think you know what ends up eventually happening to those relationships. They can only last so long before either debt is too high or someone just can't handle the strain any more.
I call this the "Joneses Syndrome". Where if our others have it we MUST have it also to make ourselves feel better and feel worthy. Or you deserve it... whatever. If you can't pay cash for it you shouldn't be buying it. Tough talk. But take it to heart that sometimes we truly need to be more grateful for what we have already rather than always wanting more.
I just watched this movie called The Joneses that shows you exactly (well in an exaggerated way) what happens when you think a family is one way (they are hired to make you want to buy what they have) and you try to be like them. Interesting...watch it.
Don't get me wrong I would love to buy new vehicles, take the kids on trips...etc. But their was no way we could do it. (OK, having 6 kids in 9 years had a huge impact on this. Yes, I know this was our choice). We had a car that I had to be sure I parked to drive forward as their was no reverse
( we just had our third baby then) and I would always get stuck going up hills.
We promised our oldest that we would go to Disneyworld so many times that now that we are going - none of her friends believed her. She is now 16 yrs btw. But the trip will be fully paid for BEFORE we leave - nothing on credit.
It took us a long time to dig ourselves out of a financial hole and that was with just the day to cost of living. But with things breaking down, kids needing braces, and husband in school it was tough.
But I figure man, if we could do it anyone could do it. Have you made that bank appointment yet?
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