Comments | melissadiane75: Keeping Up With the Joneses

melissadiane75

Keeping Up With the Joneses

Apr 30, 2007 21:56

We've recently moved into a very nice neighborhood. We love our house, our yard, our street, and our neighbors. Now, our next door neighbor has a very very nice home. I've always admired it from the outside and over the weekend, I got to see the inside. The inside is equally perfect and just plum full of stuff. More cool stuff than you could ( Read more... )

house, rants, money

Comments 9

vertigo_skyy May 1 2007, 03:41:23 UTC

Why is it such human nature to feel like we have to "keep up with the Joneses"? I think everyone feels like that. Even the rich. They compete with each other to be on top, you know? I mean there are some people who don't feel like this, but most people do. Human nature is annoying. =P

melissadiane75 May 1 2007, 14:10:29 UTC

It really is annoying!

There's a quote that went something like "Be neither envious nor boastful for there will always be others who are greater or lesser than ourselves."

Ain't that the truth....

luvforever May 1 2007, 09:52:16 UTC

I understand, I do. I feel like that sometimes because, while Josh and I have it much nicer (and Michael too), then I did (or he did for that matter) growing up, it still stings a little when we see people with tons more. Especially people in our age group who just have things handed to them. We both work hard, and we have a cute little apartment, filled with toys, we have access to a pool/gym/playgrounds all as part of our rent ( ... )

melissadiane75 May 1 2007, 14:14:13 UTC

I know they don't mean it like I take it. :( But it's hard when you are their provider and then feel like you're not doing a good job. And I'm sure my parents felt that same guilt when we were growing up too. I remember complaining to my mom that I could never get new clothes like the other kids. That must have hurt her, but she never let it show.

And you're probably right that other people are up to their ears in debt. Since Mike and I stopped using credit cards, we can't really buy anything, but at least the stuff we do get is with real money and not overpriced credit!

(The comment has been removed)

melissadiane75 May 1 2007, 14:08:46 UTC

More towards Chester Pike - off Glenolden Ave (All Town Pizza and karate place). We do go through the beep-beep bridge every day - probably about a mile from my house. You're in Ridley Park, right? I had forgotten how close you are!

read_my_junk May 1 2007, 17:16:33 UTC

I know how you feel, that happens even in my own family. My family is full of people that make a lot of money, people who own their own company, engineers, doctors, lawyers ect. Then you have Jim and I a fire fighter who doesn't make all that much, and me who is just trying to get through school and it's embarassing sometimes. Seeing their kids get everything they want, a BMW for graduation and I haven't even got a car of my own yet. Sometimes I feel jealous, and Jim tells me how they have nannies and never spend time as a family, I know he means well but sometimes it would be nice to have a ton of money where i could have anything i want whenever I want. I guess it's not just feeling jealous, it's feeling looked down on and like we don't fit in.

melissadiane75 May 2 2007, 12:22:15 UTC

I know exactly what you mean. I am doing much better now, but when Melanie was a baby I had to get heating assistance and food stamps and I felt like such a loser. But the fact is, most people do struggle and they get through it and come out on the other side much more appreciative of what they have. I think I'd rather be this way - kids who get everything growing up don't know how to handle disappointment as adults.

ladanea May 4 2007, 01:28:38 UTC

Have you ever read "The Millionaire Next Door"? It was a total eye-opener for me. It helped give me so much perspective on how many people live simple lives and yet really do have a lot of wealth, and how so many more people live extravagant lives and are truly poor - like the "ultra-rich" doctor who can never retire because his wife spends $50,000 a year on clothing.

I've tried to teach my kids to recognize what's important, what's really valuable (like the one game console they want, instead of hordes of cheap toys, or a used wagon that gets great gas mileage vs. a fancy new SUV with a built-in DVD system), and how to use their money wisely instead of wastefully. It's tough because the entire culture that surrounds us is FILLED with the very things your neighbor stands for: indulgence, accumulation of stuff, and the desire to fit the ideal commercial image. I think that learning to live outside that money trap is one of the most important things for all of us to learn, and one of the hardest things to fight even when you know it ( ... )

melissadiane75 May 4 2007, 16:42:25 UTC

Okay, I'm putting that book on my Barnes and Noble wish list. Whenever I have extra money, I order a couple!

It's important to teach these money lessons to my kids, but apparantly I need to believe in them myself. I have to truly get over my jealousy issues and believe what I am teaching them. This culture absolutely supports the accumulation of stuff and the idea that we DESERVE everything! And it's hard to fight that tide and not use the credit cards and not buy the stuff that I want....

Thanks for the input. ;)