My husband and I both come from modest multi-millionaire families. By modest I mean they are normal people whom have worked hard, sacrificed and saved to get to where they are now. Our net worth is in the top tax bracket also not to go into unnecessary details. I work 1-2 days a week as an x-ray tech in a hospital. I refuse to buy my lunch from the cafeteria because they are continually raising the prices and usually pack bologna since it seems to be the cheapest. My husband balks at me because I will not buy him name brand Fritos, they cost 2.50 and the generics are 1.00 and taste the same! (Just as an example of how I live)
I have a co-worker who works full time and her and her dh make around $60,000-70,000 a year combined. The collection agencies are always calling for her at work and she has to sell her blood plasma twice a week just to buy groceries for her family! Recently I saw her looking up boats online and she said it's their 5 year plan to buy one, these boats cost $30,000. I lose sleep worrying about my coworker since I genuinely do like her. Am I being too hard on us or do some people just not have a clue?

It sounds as if you have learned and are living out the values that your family taught you ~ "worked hard, sacrificed and saved to get to where they are now". That's great.

About your friend, there is little you can do other than live by example and perhaps introduce her to the idea of living simply or frugally. Tell her about Mommysavers, or lend her a copy of your favorite personal finance book.

On another note, you might not want to give too much personal information on here. I learned that the hard way in my early days here too. I was just so relieved to find a group of women I could talk to about money! If you stick around, you'll find quickly that many of these women will become your friends and you might later be wishing you hadn't shared as much. It's totally up to you. I just find we're all trying to do our best with what we've got. We've got closet millionaires on here and many on social assistance. We're all at a different place in life. What's great about this place, is that it doesn't matter how much or how little you have, but what you do with it and how you can inspire others to live differently.

I enjoy your posts! Welcome to Mommysavers!

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My DH & I live like you do and have built up a nice savings because of it. We have four kids and our only debt is our house and our car. We have a set of friends who make double what we do and they have no savings and are in serious debt - all because they both love to spend and can't stop. The wife has talked to me many times about their situation and I have given her suggestions and even offered to help with a budget for them but she says until her DH stops spending, she won't either. Great thinking, huh? So you can only support her as best you can and give her advice when she asks but that's about it. You can't make anyone change their ways that isn't ready and willing to do so.

Welcome, Ginger! As my grandmother (& this came from her mother too) says, "It's not what you make; it's what you do with what you make."
PS-I know someone like your friend too -- someone who struggles to pay the bills, but yet is always on the prowl for some bigger, better (more expensive) thing. I'd rather have peace of mind than a lot of junk!

I think it's great how you live and you are definitely not crazy. Though unless I really, really had to, I would not eat bologna sandwiches every day for lunch

I'm sorry I did not mean to offend anyone I was just pointing out how I know that with a little hard work you can overcome great odds. My parents declared bancruptcy and our house burnt down all in the same week when I was younger. Needless to say no insurance. Seven of us lived in a pop up camper for 8 months. Through hard work they now live comfortably. I also have had struggles to get where I am and remmember getting a second job just so I could buy a microwave. I appreciate everything that I have now even more. But I don't know why my friend can't be happy with what she has and is always looking for more.
I have found wonderful advice and inspiration on this site already and am hoping to be able to help others as they have already helped me.

Some people just don't have a clue. I can't judge them too harshly though.....my hubby and I have made some very dumb money mistakes in the past.....and because of that we still can't buy a home. I'm glad to say that we are on a much better path now.

I think you hit the nail on the head there. Some people will never be happy with what they have and for whatever reason will always think something material will make them happy. I know when my husband was deployed before the children were born I found myself shopping almost every day. It wasn't until right before he came home I realized I was shopping because I was lonely and worried about him. For that short amount of time I was thinking about something else and was happy...buying new things is always fun anyway. I know there have been studies that show shopping actually lifts your mood. (until you get the bills) Right after my grandmother died I noticed my mom was doing the same thing...maybe I inherited the shopping issue from her. I'm rambling...anyway, don't lose sleep over you friends financial woes. She's the only one who can change her ways. If she mentions she's having problems suggest a website or book.

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Jenny, wife to Brad, mommy to two crazy little kids with one on the way!

The motivation to spend and stay in debt is different for everyone. Hopefully in time, your friend will find something in her life that will lead her to a financially responsible lifestyle. I've found that the decision to do so is different for everyone.

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Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
What have you taught your child today?
When life throws you a curve ball...it's up to you how you catch it!

and I know you are sad for her but she will come around when she HAS to. I do however believe she is almost at rock bottom and that is when you start looking up.

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