And yet no one is trying to bail us out.

[jeffrey]

The part that had me crying in public over a bowl of rice today was realizing that economically, my family would be better off if I died. Not emotionally or psychologically better off, but definitely financially better off. Now don't get too worried--I have no inclination to off myself, I love my children, my husband, my family and myself even far too much (and I rather suspect my life insurance would be invalid if I did anyway)...but...I've insured myself for a quarter of a million dollars. $250,000. Not that much in the big picture, I suppose--compared to say my lifetime earning potential, or the AIG and Wall Street bailouts...but...

That amount would, even after taxes, pay off our entire home mortgage, all of our debt, and there would still be a decent amount to send 3 kids to college.

So dear reader I'm trying, today, I'm trying REALLY HARD not to think too long or hard about what it would mean for my family if I got hit by a car today, because thinking for very long that your family might be better off if you were dead is really depressing...

The Last Rambler - More of my mind on my money and my money on my mind

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I'm sympathetic but also a bit skeptical. The spending possibly could be reined in a bit to match the level of income. I was thinking that families who only have "$200 a month" (!) to live on do not maintain a backyard swimming pool (Doesn't that require expensive water, chemicals, equipment?) and take vacations at a house on the beach as I saw in her blog. (I don't know--could be she stayed at a friend's beach house for free or as a barter arrangement.) Actually, I don't think they even buy replacement large appliances like dryers (Clothesline-- even if in that spacious open area of the house?)and dishwashers (Kitchen sink?) if they want to live within their means. Doing so could only be done by taking on debt. I hope the scads of toys I saw in photos were gifts, not items that contributed to her debt. Is there no similar family in her city who lives on her family's combined income and insurance arrangements who is not in debt? If others can do it, cannot she?