When did having nice things become a sin? - Page 4

JVincent · 05-13-2008, 07:00 AM

I think the problems lies with people who are in debt, or have other goals for their money-retirement, college, emergency funds etc, and still buy non-necessities.
I dont think there is anything wrong with buying things when you can afford them.

Kim · 05-13-2008, 07:18 AM

I don't think it's a sin to have nice things AT ALL. I think "things" become problematic when:

1. People buy things they can't afford
2. People buy things to make them feel something that they're lacking inside
3. When people don't have the time to maintain their things and things detract from other more important activities or things

If you have the time and money to maintain and appreciate what you have, go for it!

Kim · 05-13-2008, 07:25 AM

I don't think it's a sin to have nice things AT ALL. I think the problems we regularly address here are when:

1. People buy things they can't afford
2. People buy things to make them feel something that they're lacking inside
3. When people don't have the time to maintain their things and the things detract from other more important activities

If you have the time and money to maintain and appreciate what you have, go for it!

AyeOhKay · 05-13-2008, 08:31 AM

with Kim!

Missystuy · 05-13-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kim

I don't think it's a sin to have nice things AT ALL. I think the problems we regularly address here are when:

1. People buy things they can't afford
2. People buy things to make them feel something that they're lacking inside
3. When people don't have the time to maintain their things and the things detract from other more important activities

If you have the time and money to maintain and appreciate what you have, go for it!

Absolutely. Take dh's friends for example. We went to thier house a month ago, and in chatting we told them we just got new windows put in. And that we went to Disney. The windows we are making payments on, and our Disney trip was paid for with our refund. They looked at each other and said 'wish we could do that, we have so much cc debt, we can't do anything.' We found out they owed about $15k in cc debt on 4 diffrent cards. In the Meantime, in thier house, they have a brand new dining table, a brand new HD tv, a HUGE eclectric fireplace, a full drum set plus lessons for the son. Outside, there is a garage FULL of junk, a motorcycle that doesn't work, a brand new $300 grill, a HUGE above ground pool that they told me there were going to put a deck on this year.

So what do you think? Dh was always SO jealous of them, because it always seemed like they were 'lucky'. People would give them a car because thiers broke down, the pool wasn't being used by someone else and given to them, ect ect. But after that conversation, dh didn't feel sorry for himself anymore and was MORE proud that we are able to afford to take his children to Disney, rather than have 'things'. Weather they were given to us or not.

jellybelly · 05-13-2008, 10:52 AM

I would rather have financial security than lots of flashy stuff. We buy nice things but try to live within our means.
I think some people aim to give the impression that they are doing well in life when one day it is all going to come to a head and they will have no money at all.

momof2divas · 05-13-2008, 11:04 AM

I see nothing wrong with decorating your home, if you have the means to do so, no way if I had $500 in the bank would I buy new couches and we need groceries and so forth. With our income tax we bought a new bedroom set cause we needed one. There are times, when I go into big lots and buy little nick nacs here and there that are on clearance or kmart, the key is you can decorate inexspensivly and still have your home look good, there is a such thing as having champagne taste on a beer budget if you KWIM, I have $3.00 picture frames that looks like they cost $50.00, you just have to shop and spend wisely.

PTORPEY · **yard sales to the rescue...**

I'm all too familiar with a tight budget. I have found yard saling to be entertaining and an inexpensive way to decorate and shop for things I need at a fraction of the retail cost. Go early for the best selection and have a wish list with you. One week you may be looking for a picture frame, not find it but get that lamp you've been looking for! I have bought antique furniture for $20. and a couch for $75. I've bought paint, gold rings, hair color, yankee candles, each for a buck or two!! I only go to a retail store when I absolutely have to. This is a good way to reuse/recyle items and recycle some of your cash back into your pocket.

jellybelly · 05-15-2008, 08:25 AM

Even better than buying things for cheap is getting given things for free! We're not too proud to turn stuff down. Somebody gave us a perfectly good sofa and a not too bad tv, can't complain!

maggie · 05-15-2008, 12:05 PM

That is a good point. You never know what people have been given. Both sets of our parents have given us beautiful furniture and paintings that we never would have splurged for, simply because they couldn't use them anymore. My parents moved from the house they had been in for 25 years to a townhouse with no yard to keep up. Dh's parents built the house MIL had always wanted but they waited until their kids were grown and gone. My parents had a ton of stuff left over that they couldn't use because they downsized, and his parents had a ton of stuff they didn't want to use because she decorated the house in a totally different style than her old home. Now we have lots of antiques and great artwork that were totally free!