life help: Hey everyone. - Help.com

My mom is.

Well the original intent was to bring businesses covered in red ink (debt) back into the black (profit). This black Friday will do just that. But as far as saving some money on a TV? Go behind the best buy and look at the guy using the steam from the heating ducts to keep warm and tell him about your struggles to keep up while you’re holding a plasma screen TV in your hands. Ms. Garcia might even give him a dollar if the economy wasn’t so terrible…

Dr. Cuddy wrote:
Genuinely concerned?

Living beyond her means. :(

She’s concerned, who isn’t, but feeling bad and doing something to fix it are two entirely different things.

LOL, I have no use for Black Friday but all in all it may give the ecomony a boost though I believe it will be temporary.

Are people worried about ecomony? I fear blanket statements but I think many are more concerned than ever but some just don’t get it, some never will. Others have no fear for they have more money than they will ever need.

Unfortunately, we live in a society where many do not appreciate what it means to live within your means. Coporations take advantage of that which is exactly why we are in the situation (ecomony) we are in today. Lending money to people who can’t afford the loans, the mortgages, the credit.

How many people will use credit cards just to do their holiday shopping?

People consume to have some illusion of happiness and pleasure in their lives. The very thing that is destroying people is what makes them feel good.

Dr. Cuddy wrote:
I understand the intent behind Black Friday. I just don’t understand how a woman so concerned about how bad the economy is could justify buying a $400 TV for the $100 discount and say she’s saving money o.O… And then buy an iPod and some DVD’s.

Exactly my point. I mentioned the intent to say that this black friday is needed now more than ever, so in that way, she may feel justified (even if she doesn’t list it as a reason). But in the money saving sense, well that’s just silly.

I live on a very modest budget and am happy that way. I’m judged on a regular basis for what I don’t have by those who base personal worth on “stuff”. I’d rather have less and be home for my children than have fancy, shiny goodies. That’s my choice just as it’s someone’s choice to live beyond their means. I believe a majority of society are adding more stress to their lives for want of things. Doesn’t make much sense to me personally. I view it as another addiction and means of coping or seeking pleasure in something tangible rather than finding yourself and being content.

Well. Some level of materialism is a good thing.

Ummm… Food, clothing, shelter, friends and family. The basics.

Then you can’t say that materialism is absolutely wrong.

Well. We’re also just not taught to conserve. Most of us. I’m making a generalization.

Dr. Cuddy wrote:

miss_enigma wrote:
I live on a very modest budget and am happy that way. I’m judged on a regular basis for what I don’t have by those who base personal worth on “stuff”. I’d rather have less and be home for my children than have fancy, shiny goodies. That’s my choice just as it’s someone’s choice to live beyond their means. I believe a majority of society are adding more stress to their lives for want of things. Doesn’t make much sense to me personally. I view it as another addiction and means of coping or seeking pleasure in something tangible rather than finding yourself and being content.

I really liked that answer =). Thank you. It’s weird that people like you would get judged for not having the latest “X” when you could actually be doing much better than those who judge you.

Well thanks Doc. It’s about priorities I suppose, people have differing views on that just as with anything. I can’t understand putting my children in daycare after school so that I can buy them a Wii which would only mean I’d see them less. I can provide the basics and at the same time we as a family learn to treasure the smaller things in life and appreciate treats on occasion. It works for us, not that I intend to condemn others, it’s just a personal choice.

I grew up in an apt in a small town on a busy road. My mom and I would sometime sit and watch the cars go by. I once wondered aloud if they were all as happy as we were. My mother said, people should be happy as long as they have ‘enough’.

I have been on the poor side of the tracks and then lived with the (now ex)husband with the 6 figure salary.

The poor side - you are happy with just enough, you understand what it means to have food on the table and you are thankful for it, you take better care of everything you own and appreciate everything you have. As kids you play outside in the great outdoors and your imagination runs wild until it’s dark. Friends are a priceless commodity.

The other side - suddenly, yesterday’s model is not good enough (it works perfectly fine), food goes bad in the fridge because take out is easier, the kids have more toys then they can handle and are always bored. Friends are too busy shopping for the latest gimzo and gadget, doing improvements, the houses are huge and take more than the weekend to maintain inside/out. time spent with family is a rarity…a sit down meal, nope - run to this soccer game, practice, band, dance, etc.

I went from being poor to being in excess to now JUST ENOUGH. Ends barely meet, but my kids and I are closer than ever, I see my friends more often, I work full time and appreciate my job more, I take care of my house and all that goes with it with pride and joy in ownership because it’s mine.

MY wish for all of you… ‘Just enough’ so you will always appreciate and be thankful for every little thing that you have, for life itself, and all the joys that come with having ‘just enough’.