Being lower middle class and living well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow from the posts it makes me reconsider having children. Life is so great saving 50 percent of our net,maxing out retirement and trveling. Having kids sounds like it blows.

It does. However, most of us just acquire a taste for suffering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You-all are amusing. There's no need to grab drinks and snacks when you are out with the kids. Contrary to popular opinion, children can go more than 2 hours without eating. Or drinking. If they get cranky, that is your poor parenting blaming your lax discipline on your children.

You cook. Take out is freaking ridiculous---if you're tired, scramble some eggs, call it supper. You actually can clean your own house. Get rid of 2/3 of the crap, or don't buy it in the first place, and the house will be cleaner. Especially toys. You really don't need them beyond some blocks.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow from the posts it makes me reconsider having children. Life is so great saving 50 percent of our net,maxing out retirement and trveling. Having kids sounds like it blows.

It does. However, most of us just acquire a taste for suffering.

Yeah I doubt having kids is worth going back to work with stitches still in my vagina and having to spend all the money on crap you people say is mandatory. Screw that.

[Anonymous]

Some of you sound so bitter. Maybe you should reconsider your own choices rather than tell OP what she can and can't do.

[Anonymous]

Having kids in this area, is expensive, there is no getting around it. I would argue it is a lot less expensive in other parts of the country, especially if one parent stays home.

Anyway, what is great about OPs life style is that it allows her to save a ton while she is young. If she plays her cards right, she can use the savings to create a really good foundation for the next stage of her life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having kids in this area, is expensive, there is no getting around it. I would argue it is a lot less expensive in other parts of the country, especially if one parent stays home.

Anyway, what is great about OPs life style is that it allows her to save a ton while she is young. If she plays her cards right, she can use the savings to create a really good foundation for the next stage of her life.

Exactly. I don't think she said she intended to live in a group home forever !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having kids in this area, is expensive, there is no getting around it. I would argue it is a lot less expensive in other parts of the country, especially if one parent stays home.

Anyway, what is great about OPs life style is that it allows her to save a ton while she is young. If she plays her cards right, she can use the savings to create a really good foundation for the next stage of her life.

Definitely. She won't be posting here in ten years about how she makes 400k and is broke but four family members with iPhones, buying lunch every day, not taking public transit, cable, tons of worthless crap and two cars with loans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having kids in this area, is expensive, there is no getting around it. I would argue it is a lot less expensive in other parts of the country, especially if one parent stays home.

Anyway, what is great about OPs life style is that it allows her to save a ton while she is young. If she plays her cards right, she can use the savings to create a really good foundation for the next stage of her life.

Definitely. She won't be posting here in ten years about how she makes 400k and is broke but four family members with iPhones, buying lunch every day, not taking public transit, cable, tons of worthless crap and two cars with loans.

And I think that was her point.

[Anonymous]

I'm very frugal. I think OP should spend a little more enjoying life. She is going to regret being 20 and not enjoying a happy hour or cheap ethnic food with friends. Her life sounds too lame. She should allocate 200-400 a month to having fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm very frugal. I think OP should spend a little more enjoying life. She is going to regret being 20 and not enjoying a happy hour or cheap ethnic food with friends. Her life sounds too lame. She should allocate 200-400 a month to having fun.

To each their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Report back after you are married and have kids.

This is a NP - of course things are going to change when OP has kids. However, her frugal ways will benefit her greatly once she is married with kids. I say this a frugal single parent. We are going just fine on an income that most of DCUM would find completely abysmal. OP will make it work because she knows how to be frugal and knows what is really important in life. Not money and material items.

Another NP single mom-- I also raise my kids on an income that's far below what DCUM has declared enough for ONE person. We're not living large, by any means, and of course, I'd love to have more money. But, we live in a safe, friendly neighborhood with good public schools. Our house is very small; our car is inexpensive but safe. When I come home tired from work, I make something quick, or I heat up something I prepared in advance. We do go out to eat a few times a month, but I don't do takeout. Not everyone is the same, DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow from the posts it makes me reconsider having children. Life is so great saving 50 percent of our net,maxing out retirement and trveling. Having kids sounds like it blows.

It does. However, most of us just acquire a taste for suffering.

Yeah I doubt having kids is worth going back to work with stitches still in my vagina and having to spend all the money on crap you people say is mandatory. Screw that.

Why are you on this board? Go hang out on a non-parenting forun you loser.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Report back after you are married and have kids.

This is a NP - of course things are going to change when OP has kids. However, her frugal ways will benefit her greatly once she is married with kids. I say this a frugal single parent. We are going just fine on an income that most of DCUM would find completely abysmal. OP will make it work because she knows how to be frugal and knows what is really important in life. Not money and material items.

Another NP single mom-- I also raise my kids on an income that's far below what DCUM has declared enough for ONE person. We're not living large, by any means, and of course, I'd love to have more money. But, we live in a safe, friendly neighborhood with good public schools. Our house is very small; our car is inexpensive but safe. When I come home tired from work, I make something quick, or I heat up something I prepared in advance. We do go out to eat a few times a month, but I don't do takeout. Not everyone is the same, DCUM.

Where is this magical neighborhood, and how long is your commute?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Report back after you are married and have kids.

This is a NP - of course things are going to change when OP has kids. However, her frugal ways will benefit her greatly once she is married with kids. I say this a frugal single parent. We are going just fine on an income that most of DCUM would find completely abysmal. OP will make it work because she knows how to be frugal and knows what is really important in life. Not money and material items.

Another NP single mom-- I also raise my kids on an income that's far below what DCUM has declared enough for ONE person. We're not living large, by any means, and of course, I'd love to have more money. But, we live in a safe, friendly neighborhood with good public schools. Our house is very small; our car is inexpensive but safe. When I come home tired from work, I make something quick, or I heat up something I prepared in advance. We do go out to eat a few times a month, but I don't do takeout. Not everyone is the same, DCUM.

Where is this magical neighborhood, and how long is your commute?

This is previous single mom. We live in an older townhouse in 20878 and my commute is four miles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Report back after you are married and have kids.

This is a NP - of course things are going to change when OP has kids. However, her frugal ways will benefit her greatly once she is married with kids. I say this a frugal single parent. We are going just fine on an income that most of DCUM would find completely abysmal. OP will make it work because she knows how to be frugal and knows what is really important in life. Not money and material items.

Another NP single mom-- I also raise my kids on an income that's far below what DCUM has declared enough for ONE person. We're not living large, by any means, and of course, I'd love to have more money. But, we live in a safe, friendly neighborhood with good public schools. Our house is very small; our car is inexpensive but safe. When I come home tired from work, I make something quick, or I heat up something I prepared in advance. We do go out to eat a few times a month, but I don't do takeout. Not everyone is the same, DCUM.

Where is this magical neighborhood, and how long is your commute?

Old Greenbelt, and about 20 minutes.