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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]Yes, it's important to learn budgeting and money management, but when everyone you know skis, plays tennis, goes on trips for spring break, you want your children to fit in. Skiing and other activities may not be important to you but to some people they are important. I've accepted the fact that we won't be going skiing or traveling for a long time, if ever, but that doesn't mean that [b]living an upper middle class life with all the trimmings can't be important to some[/b].[/quote]

You can dress it up however you like, but the phrase for what you're talking about is "keeping up with the Jonses."  And if you can afford that, knock yourself out.  But it's apparent that you can't.  So stop trying.  And when you get out of debt, that is not the time to start trying again - you'll find yourself in the same situation all over again.  Remember Einstein's definition of insanity . . . 
[/quote]

Agree.  The point is to live within YOUR means, not within the means of the neighbors (or the Joneses as the axiom goes).  I have never understood the mentality of people who buy into a better school district because they want their children to go to good schools and then feel obligated to live up to the peers there.  You made your sacrifices to get your children into the right schools.   Don't sacrifice your and their future just to live up to the standard of living of people who earn more than you.  Be satisfied that you took the step to give them a good education.  If you value those other things, then buy in a a cheaper area, let them go to a less prestigious school system and then you'll have the money for the other perks.  Remember, when you are giving your children all of those fleeting things, that you aren't saving for their college and your retirement.  It won't help your children if they're limited in their college choices by the fact that they have to pay their own way through college.  And they won't appreciate it when they have to support you in retirement and won't be able to do enough for themselves and their children because they are supporting you.[/quote]

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