In article >,
"Pete C." > wrote:

> > It is funny how so many people live to the END of their means rather
> > than budgeting. I did it for quite a few years myself.
>
> "Live while I'm alive, save when I'm dead"

Heh! But I'd rather not have to work until I die.

>
> >
> > I'm now trying to empty my house of un-needed "crap" and only purchase
> > "needs" instead of "wants".
>
> If we all did that, we'd be living in barren little shacks. If it isn't
> food, water or shelter, it's a want, not a need.

That is very much a matter of personal satisfaction.
There is a lot of stuff that'd be cool to have, but would not make me
any happier (just take up space!) so I don't need it.

I "need" my DVD collection (over 300 now) but I now wait instead of
purchasing new releases until I can at least get a used copy for 1/2
price for instance.

I also don't "need" a laptop nor an ipod.

> > I actually have a decent savings account at the moment (or the
> > beginnings of one anyway) and was able to pay the $1,200 repair bill on
> > dad's truck without using a credit card!
>
> I have crap for savings, but I've got a lot of tools and do my own
> repairs.

And the knowlege. Neither one of us can replace an entire set of brakes,
nor do we have the tools/equipment to do it.

We can both do oil changes tho'. ;-)

I have to save at LEAST $2,200 per year just to pay annual property
taxes and home owners insurance.

I'd also rather not pay credit card interest any more. I'm fed up with
that crap.

>
> Retirement is what people did back in the days when companies valued
> employees and pensions actually existed and paid out. Those days are
> long gone, replaced be absurd levels of corporate greed and corruption.
> Not like corporate greed and corruption didn't exist back then, but it
> wasn't as epidemic as today.

I have a pension adding up.
Plus an IRA to go (hopefully) with SSI AND a private teaching business.
I have plans. I'd never totally retire from the world. What would I do
with myself (other than play on the internet)?


> > Interestingly enough, good, nutritious food takes second place to
> > "things" in so many people's lives...
>
> Good food is near the top of my list. Nutritious food is a couple spots
> down the list.

Morgage and major bills are my #1.
Good food is second only to the roof over my head and the utilities to
run it.
--
Peace, Om

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"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson