It's all a question of priority...
Almost nobody seems to see that what you do with your money is entirely an issue of personal priority.

There is almost nothing beyond housing, basic food & clothing and taxes that you have to pay for. After that it's the value you place on things.

Some people place a high value on looking the part and being seen to be successful, fashionable or whatever and will pay whatever it costs for that even if that is debt which will be expensive in the long run. Others prefer to be more secure but pay the price in driving a more basic car or not changing their wardrobe every three months.

We fall fairly well down the "safe" end of the scale, living in a perfectly sufficient house we own 90% of rather than a palace with a crippling mortgage, driving a perfectly adequate 6 year old car etc. However I would never dispute anyone else's lifestyle choice if they realise there is a choice to make. A Gucci bag may be more important to you than an extra few quid a week on your pension in 30 years time but you should realise you are making that choice, both for yourself and for your kids.

I have made my choice but if I fall terminally ill tomorrow perhaps I will regret it. Had I gone the other way and then lost our home to repossession I know I would have regretted that.

I hope you are both happy with your respective choices.
( Ugi , it's a game of give and cake, Fri 1 Oct 2010, 12:51, 1 reply)

i think it stems from our childhood
we were rather poor, so could not have all the little luxuries we wanted. she now wants them all, even if it means risking her home to get them. it's just not worth it.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 1 Oct 2010, 17:40, closed)