The Jones

[boefixepa]

Re: The Jones

This is the 'outward' apperance problem.....Always thinking that the "Jonese" family has it all figured out. We know that really they can't pay the bills, but that doesn't always keep us from 'wanting' those things. There are the few, frugal, ones that aren't actually in debt, but they are the exception not the rule. They generaly don't flaunt it like the Joneses either. For the Joneses, they 'want' others to want what they have....maybe an ego kind of thing.

Personally I never want to fell that pit of the stomach feeling of forgeting about a bill, or the car braking down, and wondering what on earth am I going to do. The Joneses can have their car and their stress...I'll sit on the porch swing and enjoy the breeze as I listen to my neighbors AC run (really!! it's only 85 outside and there is a good cool breeze!! and inside it has to be cooler) and think...I am really starting to 'get' this saving money mentality. I close me eyes and catch a cat nap as I swing gently in the breeze with my cat playing nearby....

The Jonese can have it....I'm tried of running the rat race. I want to stroll and smell the roses. I want to enjoy life and have time for the 'little things' that really matter.

[flash]

Re: The Jones

An excellent thread! I am both LOL and thinking of deep insights.

How does anyone have time to find the Joneses or even figure out if their neighbors have better cars? Cleaner cars, maybe (mine smells like peet right now...EVERYONE has a car that smells better) but I have trouble just keeping up, let alone with the Joneses!

[veronak]

Re: The Jones

It's like this your friend buys something new and because you are jealous you to buy the same item or better, it's called living like the Jones'

[frugalfarmwife]

Re: The Jones

Ahh, we laugh we live next to the extreme Jones, anytime ANYONE around buys something they go get the same thing but bigger and better. In the last few months it's been hilarious to watch! I've watched a huge gazebo go down the drive, a 20 ft pontoon boat (that thing is going to meet itself in their tiny pond, lol) another tractor, another truck, a cabin cruiser, a steiner mower with EVERY attachment known to man.

When we bought our first cattle they were talking about buying some too

We don't covet what they have, we aren't jealous, we're just easily amused and take bets on whats going to pull in the driveway next.

BTW, we share a drive that goes right by my house so the delivery people usually stop and ask me first if we bought whatever it is. I looked at the driver with the gazebo and started laughing and ask him if I looked like a gazebo kinda gal!

kj

[markio26]

Re: The Jones

i call it making a dying.. making a living.. is having free time to do what you love... relaxing, enjoying your life.. not working for someone else...all of the previous comments were great...i am a bit of a rebel.. i usually think the opposite of what other ppl. do anyway, i also lead alot of ppl. in my way of thinking and they lead me.. i have learned so much from this site... don't worry what someone else is doing... just worry about yourself....and your family...

[Haku]

Re: The Jones

i call it making a dying..

I like that. That's good.

screw them? hahahahahaha!

Do I make you randy, baby?

[Ima saver]

Re: The Jones

I am enjoying this thread too. I had friends in florida that copied everything we did, and I do not know why!! I am certainly no "Jones". We do have a really nice house, but it is only because my husband is so talented and did everything in this house by himself.
Who wants to buy something you can't afford??

[shengmei]

Re: The Jones

I think I have the opposite problem. I plan my purchases extremely carefully to the point that I always pay 1/4 of what other people pay. As the result I could afford some really nice things.

I used to have a roomie who gets really upset everytime she sees a bag from the mall, even though I never spend more than $5 on a trip.

Oh well, each to their own.

[lillyb]

Re: The Jones

Wanna meet the Joneses just drive down my street. Ugh! It's ridiculous sometimes what they do to impress people they don't even like. Pass!

[lrjohnson]

Re: The Jones

I've come to dislike the phrase "afford" something.

My Guy's sister once said, "You can afford a VCR, can't you?" (This was before I took a class that was partically televised so that I was -gasp- forced to buy a VCR.)

Well, I can afford an awful lot of things I choose to do without. From new sneakers and ziploc bags to meals out to appliances.

If asked, I am more than willing to say "I don't want to spend my money on[insert x here]" but I will not say I can't afford it.

My view is that a lot of people have a lot of things they could afford, but maybe not as much in savings accounts or retirement funds.

The Jones can afford everything.

[shengmei]

Re: The Jones

I equally dislike how some people think they can only "afford" to shop at Walmart and gets upset with other people in similar financial situations who shop at more upscale places.

Upscale places usually have the highest discount % when it comes to clearance stuff. Nothing in Walmart ever gets 75% off. I only buy stuff that is 75% off (the New Year resolution).

There are good deals and bad deals everywhere. Walmart is actually pretty expensive to me.

[boefixepa]

Re: The Jones

Sorry, did a price book. When it comes the basic's, like cooking from scratch, Walmart and Sam's (same company) are the least expesive place there is, at least around here. Granted this is food not clothes, but the toy's I've looked at are generally better priced there. Also the clothes they do have, and granted it's not always the best quality are generally cheeper than mant things you can make. I've also run into some really good deals at Sam's. I picked up a great leather coat there that I love for much, much less than I had seen at many stores.

Maybe it depends on the sale for some of the other stuff. The problem, for me, with waiting for 75% off sales and the like is that they never have my size, I don't like what's there, and I hate shopping so I don't want to have to keep coming back looking for something. I think I can count on one hand the number of time I been in a Mall the last year and I promise it wasn't because I wanted to be there just to look around for a deal. Malls are pretty high on my "avoid at all costs" or "only if you've looked everywhere else" lists.

[Ima saver]

Re: The Jones

Boe, I have not been to the mall in the past 4 years, nor do I really want to. I pick up what I need at Wal marts about 3 times a year. I don't try to keep up with anyone!

[shengmei]

Re: The Jones

I guess going to the mall to look for bargains only work if you are the average size in everything. I am pretty flexible and I can wear teen clothes, children's clothes, men's clothes, women's clothes, petite clothes, and even plus-sized clothes after I shrink them with some hot water. My wedding dress was a terrific bargain ($30) but I had to shrink it with hot water the day before my wedding. Now how many brides can say that?

Personally it saves me money because I am not very picky in clothes and I prefer anything 75% off. I don't even look at the racks that are not 75% off. They are simply blocked from my mind. I don't pay more than $5 for a clothing item. I have jeans from Dillards boys department that last me many, many years. The last pair of shoes I brought lasted 3 years, and I wear them every day. Quality is very important to me.

As far as food goes, I dislike Wal-Mart store brand and my local H-E-B has much better store brand food than most of Wal-Mart's regular brands.....cheaper, too!!!

[boomeyers]

Re: The Jones

I know the Jones don't have more money than me, but they look like it. I buy my Tommy H at the outlet store or garage sales, because it is cute, not just because it is name brand. I know the Jones (actually the Robinsons). It is fun to egg on the Jones and see what you can convince them they need to buy and see if they buy it. Usually they do!! I know this is not the kindest sport to take part in, but it is soooo entertaining!