The Jones

[crazymom]

Re: The Jones

Sometimes I feel like I live in a community of Joneses - the houses around here are so outrageously huge! That being said, I really like the comment about "affording" something and choosing not to buy something. A lot of times I do say that we can't afford it, but it's a state of mind, a choice. I can buy and buy and buy, but that won't make me happy. What I need to say more now is that I choose not to spend my money on such-and-such. It can be hard with a spendthrift husband, though!

[sakigt]

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.

Exactly.

People look at what I have and think Im deep in debt over it. Im just cheap!

I actually feel kind of bad showing my things off. I dont want people to think they have to have it just because I do.

[Ima saver]

Re: The Jones

Well, I do have the biggest and nicest house in my subdivision, but it is not to show off, it is just because my husband is such a great builder!
I have never had my hair or my nails done. I am certainly not a "high maintence" woman. I never shop at big fancy mall stores. The nearest mall is 4 hours drive, round trip. I am happy in my walmart or qvc jeans!

[Bookie]

Re: The Jones

"We work at jobs we don't much like to earn the cash we feel we need to buy the things we think we want to distract us from the lives we have to live to work at jobs we don't much like . . . "

[Thrifty Ray]

Re: The Jones

"We work at jobs we don't much like to earn the cash we feel we need to buy the things we think we want to distract us from the lives we have to live to work at jobs we don't much like . . . "

nailed it! lol! That is good. :

[kealina]

Re: The Jones

Posted by sakigt "People look at what I have and think Im deep in debt over it. Im just cheap"
lol... that's me too... my MIL told me last week that i always look expensive and i told her... honestly, i don't feel expensive... most of my outfits cost less than $5 including the shoes... $15 dollars if you want to include the $10 my mom paid for an old coach purse (sturdy battered brown leather)... gotta love those yard sales...

as for keeping up with the Joneses, j'm with Haku... i'd rather be financially agile... i know people look at us funny sometimes because we aren't "keeping up" but that's ok... because we're making progress towards our goals and they won't be looking at us so funny when we finally get there...

[Ima saver]

Re: The Jones

I am going to a party with a bunch of the Jones's tonight . I will be the only woman that is not dressed expensively, does not have my hair done, nails done, expensive shoes, etc!!

[Elgin526]

Re: The Jones

That's why I like my neighborhood. The houses were built 60 years ago and with the exception of a few additions put on here and there, they are for the most part all the same size (1000 to 1300 sqft, give or take)! The income ranges from solid middle class to working class with a few retired people sprinkled in for good messure. No keeping up with your neighbors around here, most cars are good solid average cars, nothing too fancy expect for the few retired people who've earned Cadilac's (or whatever). No boats to be seen, but a few average looking RV's here and there. Yards are too small for pools, the most expensive toys I've seen the kids play with outdoor are their bikes. If people around here are blowing money left and right it must be on stuff inside there homes, because it isn't being spent outdoors. People take care of there yards and exteriors, don't get me wrong, but while most of the homes look great, you can tell they didn't spend thousands of dollars on it, either (unless they got new siding or something).

[Ima saver]

Re: The Jones

I get a lot of comments about my car. People make remarks about how much it cost. That is the only thing we really splurge on. I should have know he would always have to have nice cars when he washed his 280Z on our 2nd date!
It is funny, but we go to parties with very rich people and they always comment about how much they would like to own a corvette, and I wonder, why don't they?? They have new big fancy cars! I can see me now, I will be 85 and driving a corvette!!

[sweeps]

Re: The Jones

Related article about how the grass isn't always greener on the other side:
Keeping Up with the Joneses Can Put You Behind

[Ima saver]

Re: The Jones

Good article. I always wonder about the lives of the rich friends that invite us to all the great parties. They spend over $5000 for a 5 hour party!! We enjoy their parties, but when we have one, it is hamburgers on the grill out by the creek!!

[shengmei]

Re: The Jones

Is that an anniversary party? I could imagine spending that much if hubby and I were married for 60 years. Otherwise it really would be a waste.

[Ima saver]

Re: The Jones

No,, this was just a 50's party for no reason. Plus they spent that much on a Halloween party too. We just go and enjoy, we can't compete and don't want to.

[kealina]

Re: The Jones

jeez ima... that's a crazy amount to spend...my family only did something like that once that i can remember (and this was my parents and all my aunts and uncles chipping in) was for my grandparents 50th anniversary celebration... other than that we all just potluck at someones house... weddings not counted of course...

[Bookie]

Re: The Jones

I've been to parties like that, Ima, and they can be fun.

What strikes me about the Joneses is how busy they seem. Their lives are filled with events, acquisitions, excursions and commitments. They schedule their leisure as tightly as they do their working hours. They're forever in touch, on the go, arriving or departing. Their homes are spacious, but when are they home? They glory in having the latest toys, but when do they find time to play? They buy the best for the children they don't have time to parent. They never stop long enough to ask where they think they're going.

I know them, have them as friends (or try to), love some of them, but, ultimately I find them exhausting. What I miss in them is any sense of repose. What I find lacking is any sense of joy. One of my best-kept secrets is the pity with which I regard them, these sadly deluded people who succeed at anything they try and fail at everything that matters.