I was in McHenry last Mon & Tues for work--at a client off Prime Pkwy. We ate at Jimanos for lunch. McHenry hasn't changed a whole lot in the eleven years I've gone out there--it's almost like going back in time a few years.
How can people afford to do this?
- Thread starter luvagreatdeal
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You said it! Imagine moving from Chicago into the county...I don't even live in Mchenry itself...I live even further out than that!
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Imagine going with little kids. It's a nightmare! If I'm going to eat out, I want it on a date night, without crayons, spilled drinks, and screaming.
Well, no, not really. I've mentioned it before in this thread but we spend in some ways but are very frugal in other ways. We like nice meals, and go on vacations, and have a housekeeper, but my DH also drives a 10 year old car that is falling apart on him. We routinely save 15-20K per year for retirement and have no debt other than a small mortgage.
Now I will keep in mind that some of those people dining out that night might be the same as us, but in conversations with friends, families, and others, it sounds like most people tend to live paycheck and paycheck and not have much (if anything) saved up. And if you watch any of the financial shows on CNBC, it sounds like most of the American public falls into the 2nd category.
Going out with kids is not easy but unless you have family or friends willing to babysit for you, I'm not about to spend 40 or 50 bucks on a sitter just so I can go out to dinner and a movie either.
My kids were worse when they were younger but now they are 6.5 and 4.5 and much better when we go out to eat. Maybe yours will get better once they get older (I'm assuming they are younger) too?
How can anyone determine who can afford what? You really only know someone's financial situation if they tell you. Or you see something blatant in their life like a foreclosure or more. Have you seen the same group of ppl. eating out at these lavish places? Anyway, I guess that doesn't even prove anything. No one can judge their financial situation. This coming from a person who motivationally speaks (to friends, family, and whoever else asks), about financial freedom. I only know these ppl's situations because they overtly tell me. Otherwise, I would feel so prideful thinking that I "knew it all". Oh and my DH and I also drive cars that we have the title to and have given our previous 2 cars away to a couple of ppl. who could use them...even that doesn't make me a financial guru. Just my opinion...
Of course only the individual person knows what they can or can't afford. Maybe they and their financial planner if they have one are the only ones to truly know. I know my own situation and know what I can or can't afford to spend. I also know details of friends and family's lives and know that some of them are in dire straights right about now.
But obviously I don't know all the people that were in the restaurant that night. They are strangers to me but I don't recall ever saying they were bad people for spending their money this way. I'm just making the observation that if the economy is so bad (and this is hammered into us every single night when you watch the news), why are all these restaurants in my area so crowded all the time? Some speculated that it had to do with the location, business travelers, etc and that might have something to do with it.
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Definitely. Family moved to the area this year and I have saved HUNDREDS of dollars with their help. I probably overpaid my sitter but she was extremely competent and could handle all the kids, without using the tv as her helper.
My older boys are great eatin out, it's just the two year old twins that are the nightmare. I get indigestion each time. :lol:
Yikes! 2 year old twins? Okay. I would stay at home and do carry out too! LOL
I never said that you said that they were bad people. I am just stressing that some of the people there could save even double what your family saves for retirement each year. People come into money many ways and/or just save in an awesome way. The undertone of your original email was a bit ambiguous to me which is why I even got into this conversation. I love CW because we can all share our opinions in an adult fashion. No hard feelings I hope.
Of course not. We are all adults having a discussion on a variety of topics. That's what makes life interesting.
Then there's people like my parents. Long story short they're broke. Over the years have made poor decisions with their businesses. My mom closed hers and has a j-o-b (not making much). Dad is on disability. My Mom's car is 20 years old (still low mileage as they never really go anywhere). My mom just called me that they were in another town going to Applebees to eat and her car broke down. They're waiting for a tow-truck. I said "I bet you wish you didn't spend $30+ at Applebees right about now." :rolleyes: They go out to eat 1-2 times per week (once is always Red Lobster). My Mom doesn't get the concept of save what lil extra you do have so that WHEN your POS car does break down, you'll have money to fix it or get another. :ranting:
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That's ruff. I'm sorry. Do they ask you to help them out?
My DH and I eat out with family @ 4 times a year and when we are on vacation @ 2 times a year. We eat at higher end restaurants for his family and on our vacations because "We can". My family, we hit the fish fry place near our summer home in WI that is fantastic and cheap!
Until this year, I have had two jobs since I was ten years old. Yes TEN!!!!!
Paper route, baby sitting ... I have been busy since then. The work ethic that my parents instilled in me has helped me get a 4 year degree.. paid by ME. I have accumulated another degree in my adulthood. I married DH who went to college on his own also and had his bought his own house at 21 years old. We are @ 50 years old and we have both worked more than one job since before we were married ( which will be 20 wonderful years on Sept. 21st!!!) I have been priveleged to cut down to one job last August. Before the stockmarket fell last week, we were inline to retire in 5 years. How did we do it? No job was too menial for us. Studying in our classes was important and we were both valedictorians of our class. We don't have the newest in phone technology. We buy phones and computers when they die. Same with our vehicles. Our mortgage is now paid. We eat at home for all meals, except when we go out with family or friends.
We are happy. We do not and never have lived paycheck to paycheck so not having that stress has been wonderful. But I see many of my friends and my coworkers who do live that way and I DON"T GET IT. How are new vehicles, clothes, technology, and partying more important than food and housing.
I am fortunate that my four brothers and their wonderful wives all have the same work ethic as my DH and I do. So we do not have any family problems as far as money goes. My coworkers and friends are like family and I worry about them all of the time. I feel some of their decisions are very poor and I do try to guide them when I can. I have a hard time deciding what is a poor/ dumb choice compared to my choice of values.
I know that I am rambling but I am tired of hearing from people who don't have money for food or rent, yet have high speed internet, smart phones, newer vehicles, higher insurance,Satellite or cable TV, Time shares, eating out more than once a week (lunch , dinner or breakfast) and they can't pay their credit card bills or they are asking the payroll lady how much they will get this payroll so they can figure out which bill to pay. Sorry folks, but you need to change your priorities.
Until this year, I have had two jobs since I was ten years old. Yes TEN!!!!!
Paper route, baby sitting ... I have been busy since then. The work ethic that my parents instilled in me has helped me get a 4 year degree.. paid by ME. I have accumulated another degree in my adulthood. I married DH who went to college on his own also and had his bought his own house at 21 years old. We are @ 50 years old and we have both worked more than one job since before we were married ( which will be 20 wonderful years on Sept. 21st!!!) I have been priveleged to cut down to one job last August. Before the stockmarket fell last week, we were inline to retire in 5 years. How did we do it? No job was too menial for us. Studying in our classes was important and we were both valedictorians of our class. We don't have the newest in phone technology. We buy phones and computers when they die. Same with our vehicles. Our mortgage is now paid. We eat at home for all meals, except when we go out with family or friends.
We are happy. We do not and never have lived paycheck to paycheck so not having that stress has been wonderful. But I see many of my friends and my coworkers who do live that way and I DON"T GET IT. How are new vehicles, clothes, technology, and partying more important than food and housing.
I am fortunate that my four brothers and their wonderful wives all have the same work ethic as my DH and I do. So we do not have any family problems as far as money goes. My coworkers and friends are like family and I worry about them all of the time. I feel some of their decisions are very poor and I do try to guide them when I can. I have a hard time deciding what is a poor/ dumb choice compared to my choice of values.
I know that I am rambling but I am tired of hearing from people who don't have money for food or rent, yet have high speed internet, smart phones, newer vehicles, higher insurance,Satellite or cable TV, Time shares, eating out more than once a week (lunch , dinner or breakfast) and they can't pay their credit card bills or they are asking the payroll lady how much they will get this payroll so they can figure out which bill to pay. Sorry folks, but you need to change your priorities.
One of my all-time favorite books (although I didn't like the follow-up books as well). I buy them at garage sales and give them to people. Most don't get it. I like the introduction where they explain that their first get together of the millionaires offered expensive wines and caviar, etc. These truly wealthy people wanted beer.
