Some people just seem to have unlimited money

Spidergirl76

ab.da54 wrote: »

Having read your opening post, Spidergirl, it doesn't come across as a lighthearted one, to me.

Have you looked at your own finances to see if there is an area you could cut back on, to increase luxury spending.

A salary of 50k is a pretty good one and will, hopefully, enable your family to enjoy some of the benefits of a higher waged household

I've already said several times I meant it to be lighthearted, I really can't understand why you feel the need to analyse my post and make your own decision as to what I meant, when I have already stated that I posted it in a light-hearted manner.

Spidergirl76

Thank you to everyone that replied in a sensible manner, and took my post in the manner in which I intended.

I think my main issue with our finances is I am a saver, and am careful and budget, whilst my DH is a spender and will spend and spend. So I can make all the cutbacks that I like, and take tips from here, but anything that is saved, he will spend. I am, however, training him in the art of being frugal;)

Pollycat

Spidergirl
I took your first post at face value.

You were asking how the 3 families you know can live the lifestyle they do, because

It seems like we are going wrong somewhere

and you couldn't understand it.

I think you've had some clues how it can be done, including credit, thiftiness, previous circumstances (such as death or divorce), lottery wins etc.

You'll likely never, ever know how they do it.
Don't try to keep up with what you see on the exterior of people's lives.
Review your own finances to ensure you're making the most of your money (the debt-free wannabe board is a good place to visit even if you're not in debt for ideas on cutting back on your expenses) and let them get on with spending as they are doing.

ab.da54

Spidergirl76 wrote: »

I've already said several times I meant it to be lighthearted, I really can't understand why you feel the need to analyse my post and make your own decision as to what I meant, when I have already stated that I posted it in a light-hearted manner.

I know you have said you have posted it in a lighthearted way but that was further down the board. Upon reading the very first post, it doesn't come across as lighthearted. Sorry.

As far as analysing your post goes, er...ok.

You have posted on an open forum. By posting, you are looking for responses. Not all responses will agree with your point of view. I'm not sure why you find it difficult accepting viewpoints that do not side with you but, surely, you should expect that, posting on an open forum.

I haven't been rude to you. I stated that, to me, your first post didn't appear to be lighthearted, even though you later said that it was meant to be. The trouble with the written word is, you don't always catch the genre it is written in.

Back to living the luxury life, the key is, on a family income of 50k, to look at what your money is being spent on and see where you can make savings so that you too, can enjoy some of what the people you referred to in your first post, are having

ab.da54

Pollycat wrote: »

Spidergirl
I took your first post at face value.

You were asking how the 3 families you know can live the lifestyle they do, because

and you couldn't understand it.

I think you've had some clues how it can be done, including credit, thiftiness, previous circumstances (such as death or divorce), lottery wins etc.

You'll likely never, ever know how they do it.
Don't try to keep up with what you see on the exterior of people's lives.
Review your own finances to ensure you're making the most of your money (the debt-free wannabe board is a good place to visit even if you're not in debt for ideas on cutting back on your expenses) and let them get on with spending as they are doing.

Agree, Pollycat.

I didn't think *jealous* when reading the OP but neither did I see it as *lighthearted*, more wondering where they were going wrong and looking for advice on how they can do the same.

Yes, the debt free wannabe board is a good one to peruse, as is the old style one.

Pollycat

ab.da54 wrote: »

see where you can make savings so that you too, can enjoy some of what the people you referred to in your first post, are having

I'd add to that:

"see where you can make savings so that you too, can enjoy some of what the people you referred to in your first post, are having without getting yourselves into the same possible financial mess that these people may be in in the dark, secret corners of their lives that you can't see"

claire16c

FBaby wrote: »

I agree 100% with you, but we've decided to take the chance, but if I can indeed happen that we are not here to see 2013 (I think you must have meant 2011), the odds are more that we are likely to live for another 20/30 years after we will be able to really enjoy our lives through having made the choices we have.

We overpay our mortgage because we went to be mortgage free by the time we are 50, so that we can THEN reduce our working hours, or start enjoying those luxurious holidays.

What really annoys me are those people are choosing to live for today rather than tomorrow. No issue with that choice, but then they expect their debts to be written off, or their salaries to be topped up by tax credits and the rest. People complain that the pension they get is rubbish and doesn't allow them to live well. The problem is that when you live above your means for many years, you do feel that you are hard done by when suddenly you have to make do with the minimum.

I've seen my parents working really hard and making sacrifices, but I now see the amazing life they enjoy. Holidays abroad 4 to 5 times a year, spoiling the children and grand-kids, splashing on a the sports car my dad always dream of... they are certainly making the best of their retirement. So cross fingers that our health is on our side (and we do everything to remain fit), and I will come back in 10 years time and brag if I may

How old are your kids though? Because the only thing is (apart from the point of not knowing what is going to happen tomorrow healthwise) if your kids are teens, dont you want to go to some nice places round the world with them, before they start wanting to do their own thing?

(Although Im sure if they are teens, you being their mum, are probably the most embarassing person to be seen with right now :rotfl:)

Spidergirl76

ab.da54 wrote: »

I know you have said you have posted it in a lighthearted way but that was further down the board. Upon reading the very first post, it doesn't come across as lighthearted. Sorry.

As far as analysing your post goes, er...ok.

You have posted on an open forum. By posting, you are looking for responses. Not all responses will agree with your point of view. I'm not sure why you find it difficult accepting viewpoints that do not side with you but, surely, you should expect that, posting on an open forum.

I haven't been rude to you. I stated that, to me, your first post didn't appear to be lighthearted, even though you later said that it was meant to be. The trouble with the written word is, you don't always catch the genre it is written in.

Back to living the luxury life, the key is, on a family income of 50k, to look at what your money is being spent on and see where you can make savings so that you too, can enjoy some of what the people you referred to in your first post, are having

Yes but you haven't offered a viewpoint, you have merely told me that what I've said about the post that I have written, is incorrect. And if you're referring to the other poster that was rude, no I won't accept that viewpoint as I won't accept someone being rude or abusive towards me, as that other poster was.

I agree that you haven't been rude but now you are coming across as a little condescending towards me.

cleggie

I think a lot of it depends on how much outgoings a family has, and how well they budget.
For example, i know 2 people who have a similar income to mine (within £500 per year each way).
1 of them lives what i would consider to be a luxurious lifestyle that i cant afford, yet the other one lives a very very tight existance and sometimes barely has enough money to put food on the table for her and her family.
The difference?
The first one has no debt at all, and never pays full price for anything (she only shops in the sales). She has a strict budget that she sticks to.
The second has a lot of debt, almost haf of her monthy income goes straight to her debts. She also constantly buys things from eBay just because they are bargains!
I myself am about half way between them both. I cant live luxuriously, as i have debt to clear, but because i dont have huge amounts of debt, neither do i struggle to pay for food.

If youare interested in how to make the most of your imcome, such as managing food budgets etc, then pop across to the old style board, i am sure you could puck up some great tips.

Hope that helps!

ab.da54

Spidergirl76 wrote: »

Yes but you haven't offered a viewpoint, you have merely told me that what I've said about the post that I have written, is incorrect. And if you're referring to the other poster that was rude, no I won't accept that viewpoint as I won't accept someone being rude or abusive towards me, as that other poster was.

I agree that you haven't been rude but now you are coming across as a little condescending towards me.

I disagree.

In my first post, I offered advice on how you could possibly make savings.

You don't wish to take my advice on board due to what you saw as an attacking post, which it wasn't. That's your choice.

My comments remain the same. You can accept the advice or not, preferring to accept the same advice from another poster. Your call, really. At the end of the day, I read your post a certain way and gave comment on it. I can't help if you don't like posts that side with your way of thinking but this forum was the wrong place if that is what you were after.