I'm also a red kinda gal. I usually go for a cabernet sauvignon and the current fave is a fairly new one from California (a first for me) called Twin Finn. Goes well with most foods and is a lighter, fruitier wine than most I've tried! mmm mmm good!!
Good point, I think!!....I suck at 'statistics' math! Took a course 3 years ago and ended up with a damn tutor for the whole thing!! Getting that credit was a miracle!
Pucks, I laugh at myself too! My total lottery expense for a year is less than $20.00 ... and yet there I am at the convenience store counter mesmerized by the flashing lights on those damn machines when the pot is big!! LOL
I also live outside the city in order to be able to afford a mortgage!!
This is one of those topics for me where I could argue with myself!
My mom (and dad) worked to pay off the mortgage, have some money in the bank, etc, but didn't take a vacation, or treat themselves to anything beyond the necessities ... much like many of our parents did. Then at 49 she was diagnosed with cancer and died at 52.
I was 18 and this has been a life lesson for me ... I try to have a better balance in my life by doing some travelling (never enough), treating myself to a spa or clothing that's way more expensive than it should be, and so on. BUT, that results in my feeling that I'm constantly being squeezed financially. Doing those few 'extras' once in a while also affects how much I am able to save for retirement...and that's the constant argument I have with myself!
I agree with you Pucks on needing my own space, privacy, etc, and gladly pay for it, but I wonder if that might be 'part' of the reason that the middle class is getting squeezed? Is it partly because our expectations, wants and desires keep growing at a faster rate than our paycheques?
I know that I grew up with much less than I have come to want for myself and my son...
I agree with you! I was very fortunate to get into the housing market when I did. I wouldn't be able to start over today!
Personally, I have watched my expenses increase by over 30% in the past 5 years and my pay hasn't kept up with that! So yes, I think all of us in the 'middle' range are feeling the squeeze!
The hardest part to handle, for me, is that I think our children will be the first generation (generally speaking) that won't do better than their parents.
It's pretty sad! And yet, I still feel blessed with what I have!
I do speak my mind when I post and often try to incorporate some of my life experiences into my reasoning to help explain my point of view.
But, I will stay away from topics where the thread has gotten 'nasty' and not because my view isn't a reflection of the majority. Why? Primarily because I don't want to get involved in the 'mudslinging'...it's just not my personality, as much as I love a good debate! While we are all adults, age differences sometimes make it difficult to have a 'debate' rather than an argument...I have a 22 year old son that's my living proof of that!
I must say that I really try to take the emotion out of a particular post prior to responding to it...as I believe I tried to do in the one that dealt with being gay...but sometimes, even when I give someone the benefit of the doubt (with respect to their intentions), they still don't seem (IMO) to have an open mind to see the 'other side'. It's also sometimes hard to really understand what someone is trying to say when you don't see the facial expressions and can't have a true dialog. And in the case of that particular thread, I kept on trying...and trying...
Some people profess to want to 'understand' but then don't have an open mind that allows them to at least try to understand...not much point in trying to beat that horse to death, is there?
Ultimately, I want to come to the forums to enjoy and learn and participate in a healthy and fun way...if it gets out of hand (IMO), it's time for me to step away from the microphone!! :-) So, if I think something I might say is going to hurt or offend someone, I just won't say it!
And that's my dollar's worth...I said way too much for it to just be two cents!!
Tapestry Forum Posts (222)
RE: Being Shy Here..Does it count???
I'm with you on this Taz...I know more about what I 'don't' want than I know about what I do want.Personally, I'm not good with 'mysteries'... I like a tell-it-like-it-is approach...the rest will come when we're getting to know each other!!
Just my two cents.