Anonymous wrote:Why did the author empty his retirement plan to pay for his daughter's wedding? That's just dumb.

I would imagine it's because he socializes mostly with truly UMC and rich people in Manhattan/Brownstone Brooklyn/East Hampton where this is the norm and he didn't want to disappoint her. And also admit he couldn't afford it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/05/my-secret-shame/476415/

What do you think? Is this you? Why or why not?

They should ask reparations from the Roman Empire.

Ok this made me lol. You win today.

we paid for our own wedding with our own savings. Don't empty your parents 401k for your wedding, these daughters will have to take care of their parents. He unwittingly burdened himself and his wife on them. Not being open with his own wife about finances was also annoying.

Anonymous wrote:Why did the author empty his retirement plan to pay for his daughter's wedding? That's just dumb.

Right, the author can talk about wage growth, credit card, predatory lending, etc. all he wants. This is a different problem.

Anonymous wrote:

We have no retirement savings, because we emptied a small 401(k) to pay for our younger daughter’s wedding.

WTF?

It's the new American habit: Blame others for your own stupid decisions.

Anonymous wrote:Why did the author empty his retirement plan to pay for his daughter's wedding? That's just dumb.

+1 that was kind of annoying. Really? Because a wedding was necessary?

Anonymous wrote:

We have no retirement savings, because we emptied a small 401(k) to pay for our younger daughter’s wedding.

WTF?

yeah its normal get over it rich ahole

We have no retirement savings, because we emptied a small 401(k) to pay for our younger daughter’s wedding.

WTF?

Why did the author empty his retirement plan to pay for his daughter's wedding? That's just dumb.

Anonymous wrote:No, this is not me. Because working hard to me means you are doing something that gets you results, so that your situation improves.

His income by his own admission was dwindling steadily over a long time. That's not working hard.

And his wife wasn't working and they put their kids in private schools. Paying your IRS bills and credit card debts should come WAY before private schools.

I honestly don't think I know anyone personally who couldn't pay $400 or even 2k for an emergency like the writer. And DH and I come from middle class families with blue collar or middle class jobs. Maybe our younger, early 20s sisters couldn't cope with emergencies, but they're just starting out and graduating.

The recipe for success in America isn't that hard. Graduate, get married and don't have kids until you're married with dual incomes.

Anonymous wrote:http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/05/my-secret-shame/476415/

What do you think? Is this you? Why or why not?

They should ask reparations from the Roman Empire.

No, this is not me. Because working hard to me means you are doing something that gets you results, so that your situation improves.

His income by his own admission was dwindling steadily over a long time. That's not working hard.

Not quite as bad as that, but we don't have the cushion we should. We save for retirement and we save for the kids' college funds, but we don't have the $30K or so we should in the bank as an emergency fund. I feel it.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/05/my-secret-shame/476415/

What do you think? Is this you? Why or why not?