The Jones

[crosses]

Can somebody give me a list of what constitutes "the Jones" I hear about them alot and have a fuzzy image of them, but would like to hear some concrete examples that poeple have. Also, why are they referred to as the Jones?

[terry1156]

Re: The Jones

My image of the Jones:

They buy a new, luxury car every two years.
They like expensive gadgets that are "in" whether they are useful or not.
They live on their credit card and go into debt to but these things.
The impression the expensive things they buy is important to them.
They have one of the larger houses on the block.
Designer or brand clothing is all they will buy.

[miclason]

Re: The Jones

They eat at the finest restaurants
They go out to party every weekend
Their kids always have the newest, most expensive toys
Their kids go to the most expensive schools

[PrincessPerky]

Re: The Jones

They got more than I do!

[crosses]

Re: The Jones

Those all make sense. Does anyone know where the Jone's came from? Why isn't the Smith's or another name. This is purely curiosity if anyone knows.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: The Jones

I asked my dad, he did some googling and came up with "the phrase keeping up with the Joneses, which was coined in 1913 by cartoonist Arthur R. Momand for the title of a series in the New York Globe. It means "trying to match the lifestyle of one's more affluent neighbors or acquaintances."

he tells me it is from this site

But I sure odn't have the patience to read the whole thing, I gotta go let my kid cut something.

Also here is a site all about the cartoon, I will go read it later.

http://www.toonopedia.com/joneses.htm

[Momtwo]

Re: The Jones

Trying to keep up with the Joneses will keep you working till you die! It was never worth it to me.

[David]

Re: The Jones

And the Joneses are trying to keep up with someone they think are the Joneses.

[Thrifty Ray]

Re: The Jones

The Jonses are whoever you are trying to keep up with that keeps you living beyond your means...

They are a consipiracy theoried-imaginary family created by those who would keep us in debt...designed to give us high expectations...and to keep us wanting for more...

They are always just out of reach...no matter what you make or what your status...

They are the mirage of desires...

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: The Jones

I guess maybe the grass always appears greener on the other side of the fence!

[Tree0164]

Re: The Jones

They are our neighbors the one that have the new car even though they were out of work for 6 months and complaining about the price of gas on old 2 yr old car.

They just booked a Disney vacation after being going to Aruba 2 months ago.

They got a plamsa tv delivered last week.

Can they afford it, no? Do they want it yes?

[Haku]

Re: The Jones

Screw the Joneses.

I aim to be financially agile.

[asha]

Re: The Jones

screw them? hahahahahaha!

[Snoopy2645]

Re: The Jones

Well to me the joneses have a nicer house than I will ever have & a boat which I will never have either & probably a brand new SUV which if I could afford I couldnt afford to drive because of the gas LOL!!

ANd I know a couple of people I consider the joneses & some are actually paying cash while others are 2 steps from falling flat!!

[Ima saver]

Re: The Jones

We built a house for the "Jones" one time. They had 7 different leased cars that years. They had closets upon closets of clothes. Their children had every toy known to man. When we finished the job, an unexpected bill of $1440 came in for a retaining wall. They did not have the money to pay. Since we hired the concrete people, we paid for it and have never been repaid. (and never will)
This was a doctor. They always spent more than he made. She went shopping at the mall every day. I would not want to live that way!