I think you have me confused with someone else. I've never had problems with managing my money, other than the timing of when my student loans were due. I've never owned a credit card until about a year ago when I got two in order to help improve my credit. And I pay them off before the balance is due, bi-weekly on payday. If credit rating didn't matter, I'd have never bought a car with a loan or would I own the two credit cards I do. I buy what I can afford and never over spend. I have a family to support and they come first.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

Could be... at least you don't drivel on like DakotaT about how the world owes you a living.

Originally Posted by: vegOmatic 

You guys make me feel like an asshole for acquiring what I have in life. But when I was in my 20's I was a full fledged alcholic and I didn't have a pot to piss in. I grew up when I got married, and even though I married a spoiled princess, she brings out the best in me to push me to my limits to gain wealth and assets.

I absolutely hate debt and paying interest. We have a mortgage with 13.5 years to go at an interest rate less than 4%. We own about 40% of our house right now. Julie and I each still have small school loans under $10K total on interest rates less than 3% and that is all the debt we have. No car loans, and we will never take another one out. Only program cars from here on out to be paid for the Randy Moss fine way - cold hard cash homey.

Paying interest makes people poor, and makes limp wristed egg heads with weak backs wealthy. I lived without things until I could pay for them, and I don't see why people feel they need to have everything now without sacrificing to attain what they covet.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 

All of the above is why, even if you are spelling challenged, you're a wise man.

Which allows you to be an asshole from time to time. [grin1]

Originally Posted by: Wade 

Paying interest makes people poor, and makes limp wristed egg heads with weak backs wealthy. I lived without things until I could pay for them, and I don't see why people feel they need to have everything now without sacrificing to attain what they covet.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 

I think I made this pretty damn clear where I don't need this bullshit lecturing, but what the hell, why not repeat myself ... again! I never owned nice cars, its how I got to be such a good mechanic. I bought beaters, fixed them when they broke.

I've always lived below my means, way below to the point my father (who taught me to be frugal) tells me I should loosen up and enjoy the fruits of my labors. So, when I was living in Colorado, needed a reliable vehicle that would get me to Wisconsin and back, plus any family vacations if we took some. Also I wanted to help improve my credit rating so maybe one day I could buy a house. I finally had the negative crap that wasn't mine off my report. I put 22% of the car down when I bought. I knew I was getting raped with 15.57%, but I was told after a year of full on time payments, I'd be able to get it refinanced for less than 10% and then the next year if I did well maybe under 5%. I was denied because I still have some student loan claims that haven't been consolidated into the lump sum I'm paying off.

I'm not gonna spill how rough I had it since moving out of my dads until '08 when my career started taking off because I don't want anyone's pity or sympathy. And because everyone has had to cut corners, live paycheck to paycheck and live out of their car a few times in their life. It's what makes you appreciate what you have.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

I was doing well, much more disciplined. Even cancelled the April Vegas trip.

The Thuji purchase has screwed that up.

Thuji: $800.
My airfare: $400.
Dog's airfare ("in cabin" charge): $125.
"Airline approved" miniature bag for under seat for dog: $60.
Incidental charges from breeder: $75.
Passenger side mirror (don't want to drive roundtrip to Chicago without all mirror: $70 plus labor TBD.
Dog food -- TBD.
Vet stuff -- who knows?!?
Doggie pads, cushion, puppy toys, treats, harness, leash, poop bags, more toys, puppy blanket -- not added up.
Obedience training.
Neutering.
Shots.
Dogsitting/doggie day care.
More food.
More toys.
Stuff to clean pee spots from carpet.
More treats.

Argh! Why did I buy a puppy again?

Oh, right. Cute + companionship: Priceless.

Whew.

Originally Posted by: Wade 

but i'm cheap, foster.
ridiculously cheap.
seriously though, have you heard bad things about astro vans? other than the god awful way they look?!? lol.

Originally Posted by: 4PackGirl 

One day I will get a straight up compliment without the backhand, but not anytime soon.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT