going broke on 300K/year

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=Cabal] Believe it or not, they live check to check supporting the McMansion and lifestyle. Not long ago, he ask her to consider getting a job or cut back on discretionary spending. Her answer was “No, if I have to get a job what do I need you for?” The arrogance and sense of entitlement is just unbelievable. This may be an extreme example, but in my experience, there are many women with similar attitudes, especially in mid-upper class north county society. The keeping up with Joneses mentality and competitive nature of these women is truly frightening. I can only conclude that irrational fear of losing everything can drive women to be this way.

[/quote]

Cabal: If anything, the situation you describe above has only grown worse during the downturn. The parents of one of my players were hammered over the last few years (he was a mortgage broker and she was a Realtor) and their standard of living has plummeted. They seemed to tolerate each other before, but now it’s turned vile and she openly berates him publicly, which is painful and embarrassing to watch. He is a decent enough sort, and he almost acts like he deserves this treatment from her.

I know the kid is humiliated by this, but it’s not the exception, unfortunately. This entitlement mentality was very strong for a lot of folks and now that things have turned ugly, they’ve turned on each other. I don’t get the sense of shared sacrifice or determination (what my dad would call “grit” or “sand”) to weather the storm, what I get is middle-aged spoiled brats pissed off that the party has stopped.

Like I said in my earlier post, the sense of disconnection from reality is amazing and more than a little frightening. My grandma lived through the Great Depression and she was one tough lady, believe me. No bitching, no complaining; just a rock solid work ethic and the discipline to ride out the tough times.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Dupe.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Dupe.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Dupe.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Dupe.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Dupe.

[Aecetia]

The greatest generation are strong silent types. They also know how to survive. I wonder what happened to those genes?

[Aecetia]

The greatest generation are strong silent types. They also know how to survive. I wonder what happened to those genes?

[Aecetia]

The greatest generation are strong silent types. They also know how to survive. I wonder what happened to those genes?

[Aecetia]

The greatest generation are strong silent types. They also know how to survive. I wonder what happened to those genes?

[Aecetia]

The greatest generation are strong silent types. They also know how to survive. I wonder what happened to those genes?

[Coronita]

I don’t know. Sometimes, in some respects, in a twisted way, I have learned to respect and wish I had more of a “stay at home” type of wife that aren’t gold diggers but actually responsible and take care of all the stuff at home (they do exist).

I guess I have what you call a career oriented spouse. And sometimes, just sometimes, that career really gets in the way of raising a kid AND if you (the hubby) also has unexpected things to deal with (health).

In some respects, we never argue about money or who spends what. Within a reason, it’s like yeah sure just let each other know. Only things that need discussions are big investments , big ticket purchases like cars/homes/etc.

What we always argue over is when there is a conflict, who needs to tell their boss that they can’t go…I’d like to say, whoever makes more money, except we’re pretty even. Then, I’d like to say, I’m the dude, I win by default. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way either (at least not for me).

….And my wife is older than me btw. I guess it had to do with maturity (which ironically, I often times lack)…
Some of the older women just have an a sort of elegance. There was this 6’2″ish brunette early 40 blond I met recently friend of a friend, and she was just fine. Not the “hot” kind of fine. But she was a very polished and elegant person, smart as a whip… the way she spoke, how she spoke, her personality, and yeah she looked alright. (yeah, yeah, I love my wife, but come on, who wouldn’t notice these things.)

[Coronita]

I don’t know. Sometimes, in some respects, in a twisted way, I have learned to respect and wish I had more of a “stay at home” type of wife that aren’t gold diggers but actually responsible and take care of all the stuff at home (they do exist).

I guess I have what you call a career oriented spouse. And sometimes, just sometimes, that career really gets in the way of raising a kid AND if you (the hubby) also has unexpected things to deal with (health).

In some respects, we never argue about money or who spends what. Within a reason, it’s like yeah sure just let each other know. Only things that need discussions are big investments , big ticket purchases like cars/homes/etc.

What we always argue over is when there is a conflict, who needs to tell their boss that they can’t go…I’d like to say, whoever makes more money, except we’re pretty even. Then, I’d like to say, I’m the dude, I win by default. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way either (at least not for me).

….And my wife is older than me btw. I guess it had to do with maturity (which ironically, I often times lack)…
Some of the older women just have an a sort of elegance. There was this 6’2″ish brunette early 40 blond I met recently friend of a friend, and she was just fine. Not the “hot” kind of fine. But she was a very polished and elegant person, smart as a whip… the way she spoke, how she spoke, her personality, and yeah she looked alright. (yeah, yeah, I love my wife, but come on, who wouldn’t notice these things.)

[Coronita]

I don’t know. Sometimes, in some respects, in a twisted way, I have learned to respect and wish I had more of a “stay at home” type of wife that aren’t gold diggers but actually responsible and take care of all the stuff at home (they do exist).

I guess I have what you call a career oriented spouse. And sometimes, just sometimes, that career really gets in the way of raising a kid AND if you (the hubby) also has unexpected things to deal with (health).

In some respects, we never argue about money or who spends what. Within a reason, it’s like yeah sure just let each other know. Only things that need discussions are big investments , big ticket purchases like cars/homes/etc.

What we always argue over is when there is a conflict, who needs to tell their boss that they can’t go…I’d like to say, whoever makes more money, except we’re pretty even. Then, I’d like to say, I’m the dude, I win by default. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way either (at least not for me).

….And my wife is older than me btw. I guess it had to do with maturity (which ironically, I often times lack)…
Some of the older women just have an a sort of elegance. There was this 6’2″ish brunette early 40 blond I met recently friend of a friend, and she was just fine. Not the “hot” kind of fine. But she was a very polished and elegant person, smart as a whip… the way she spoke, how she spoke, her personality, and yeah she looked alright. (yeah, yeah, I love my wife, but come on, who wouldn’t notice these things.)

[Coronita]

I don’t know. Sometimes, in some respects, in a twisted way, I have learned to respect and wish I had more of a “stay at home” type of wife that aren’t gold diggers but actually responsible and take care of all the stuff at home (they do exist).

I guess I have what you call a career oriented spouse. And sometimes, just sometimes, that career really gets in the way of raising a kid AND if you (the hubby) also has unexpected things to deal with (health).

In some respects, we never argue about money or who spends what. Within a reason, it’s like yeah sure just let each other know. Only things that need discussions are big investments , big ticket purchases like cars/homes/etc.

What we always argue over is when there is a conflict, who needs to tell their boss that they can’t go…I’d like to say, whoever makes more money, except we’re pretty even. Then, I’d like to say, I’m the dude, I win by default. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way either (at least not for me).

….And my wife is older than me btw. I guess it had to do with maturity (which ironically, I often times lack)…
Some of the older women just have an a sort of elegance. There was this 6’2″ish brunette early 40 blond I met recently friend of a friend, and she was just fine. Not the “hot” kind of fine. But she was a very polished and elegant person, smart as a whip… the way she spoke, how she spoke, her personality, and yeah she looked alright. (yeah, yeah, I love my wife, but come on, who wouldn’t notice these things.)

[Author]

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