Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New profile posts
Latest activity
Internet Search
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
General Discussions
The Watercooler
Read = Shameful in America
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="hearts and roses" data-source="post: 156370" data-attributes="member: 2211"><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="color: indigo">I was once homeless with exh and my two little dds - difficult child was 4 months old - because my exh was snorting coke up his nose instead of paying the rent. I stayed with 3 separate families for a few weeks. I was also on public assistance for a short period following my subsequent divorce from exh - with my two babies. I HAD to do things to change my circumstances. I moved, I went to work after starting a cooperative babysitting arrangement with my friend, and I gave up all the extras. I drove a scrappy car and got food from the food pantry when I couldn't compelte my food shopping needs. I learned how to entertain the girls and me at home without spending money. Our big treat each week was Tuesday night pizza (1/2 price pizza night at the local place, cost $12 for all three). Every single penny of my paltry income was accounted for in a very tight budget. I bought my business clothes at a consignment shop, same with my girls. I saved all my loose change to pay for their field trips. We ate homemade everything and had fun making it.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="color: indigo">I have a heart, I really do, and this story is sad for sure. But I think some of the comments were dead on. Why doesn't she move to a location with more affordable housing? Surely, working together with her 19 year old daughter, they can make a new start somewhere else where life isn't quite so expensive.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="color: indigo">I think it's sad and I think that the general jist of the story is true: this is the way things seem to be going in our country and its not only a travesty, it's criminal. However, the general population also has to take some responsibility for where they are.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="color: indigo">We baby boomers grew up, came of age, & raised our children in a time where things are readily available, people live in excess, and the wealth enjoyed by most middle class Americans has been the best our country has ever seen in history. People aspire to have things, to vacation more, to build giant empty homes, drive the coolest, biggest and hottest cars, engage in a lifestyle that is too big for them, too costly to society as a whole. Credit card debt is out of control. Before the Diner's Club card was introduced in the 50's credit cards or buying things on credit was exclusive to the uppermost echelon in society. The only thing the general population bought on credit were homes and cars. Now you can get credit cards at Walmart, Best Buy, etc., and people do it! Even if they know that they really can't support the debt.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="color: indigo">Now that kind of living is taking its toll. Obviously there are other factors at play besides overspending or not living within our means. E</span></span><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="color: indigo">nergy costs are out of control and major corporations are outsourcing jobs to other countries. But at what point do we stop charging up expenses and spending our money on 'extras' & 'things' rather than necessities? When do we change the way we earn, live and spend so we can live within our means?</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="color: indigo">Why live in an expensive place that eats up 3/4 of your income when there are other places to live that are less expensive and decent? I just think that we have options but for whatever reasons, some of us are simply afraid to give them a try. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="color: indigo">Go ahead, flame me. Sorry if I offended anyone - not my intent, but having been homeless myself and out of that situation having to make some difficult, serious changes and a big move from all that I knew, I know that we still have the power to change our circumstances if need be.</span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="hearts and roses, post: 156370, member: 2211"] [SIZE=3][COLOR=indigo]I was once homeless with exh and my two little dds - difficult child was 4 months old - because my exh was snorting coke up his nose instead of paying the rent. I stayed with 3 separate families for a few weeks. I was also on public assistance for a short period following my subsequent divorce from exh - with my two babies. I HAD to do things to change my circumstances. I moved, I went to work after starting a cooperative babysitting arrangement with my friend, and I gave up all the extras. I drove a scrappy car and got food from the food pantry when I couldn't compelte my food shopping needs. I learned how to entertain the girls and me at home without spending money. Our big treat each week was Tuesday night pizza (1/2 price pizza night at the local place, cost $12 for all three). Every single penny of my paltry income was accounted for in a very tight budget. I bought my business clothes at a consignment shop, same with my girls. I saved all my loose change to pay for their field trips. We ate homemade everything and had fun making it.[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][COLOR=indigo]I have a heart, I really do, and this story is sad for sure. But I think some of the comments were dead on. Why doesn't she move to a location with more affordable housing? Surely, working together with her 19 year old daughter, they can make a new start somewhere else where life isn't quite so expensive.[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][COLOR=indigo]I think it's sad and I think that the general jist of the story is true: this is the way things seem to be going in our country and its not only a travesty, it's criminal. However, the general population also has to take some responsibility for where they are.[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][COLOR=indigo]We baby boomers grew up, came of age, & raised our children in a time where things are readily available, people live in excess, and the wealth enjoyed by most middle class Americans has been the best our country has ever seen in history. People aspire to have things, to vacation more, to build giant empty homes, drive the coolest, biggest and hottest cars, engage in a lifestyle that is too big for them, too costly to society as a whole. Credit card debt is out of control. Before the Diner's Club card was introduced in the 50's credit cards or buying things on credit was exclusive to the uppermost echelon in society. The only thing the general population bought on credit were homes and cars. Now you can get credit cards at Walmart, Best Buy, etc., and people do it! Even if they know that they really can't support the debt.[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][COLOR=indigo]Now that kind of living is taking its toll. Obviously there are other factors at play besides overspending or not living within our means. E[/COLOR][/SIZE][SIZE=3][COLOR=indigo]nergy costs are out of control and major corporations are outsourcing jobs to other countries. But at what point do we stop charging up expenses and spending our money on 'extras' & 'things' rather than necessities? When do we change the way we earn, live and spend so we can live within our means?[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][COLOR=indigo]Why live in an expensive place that eats up 3/4 of your income when there are other places to live that are less expensive and decent? I just think that we have options but for whatever reasons, some of us are simply afraid to give them a try. [/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][COLOR=indigo]Go ahead, flame me. Sorry if I offended anyone - not my intent, but having been homeless myself and out of that situation having to make some difficult, serious changes and a big move from all that I knew, I know that we still have the power to change our circumstances if need be.[/COLOR][/SIZE] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
General Discussions
The Watercooler
Read = Shameful in America
Top