Wife and I both work and have great jobs. Why do we feel like we're the poorest people on the block?

Question

My wife and I both work. We both have good jobs and comparable salaries. There are people on our block that have 1 family member working and that bring home 1/3 or what we do. They have 2 brand new SUVs in their garage, bigger homes, and nicer landscaped yards. We drive sedans that are 6 years old and buy our kids clothes at Walmart. Why do we feel like the poorest people on the block?

Answer 1

Your not alone, I am in the same boat as you are, just remember your not the ones getting into debt that it's going to take you 30 years to get out of. Other spend money because they can and don't realize that in the long run that it will affect them some how, you probable think rational and know what you can and can't spend which is good, we do the same, we live comfortable and have what we want, a house to live in clothes ob the kids and food on the table and a car that gets us to where we need to go. Just think that is more money to put in your kids Collage fund.

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Like what has been stated those individuals with all of the 'nice' stuff are going to have to pay the piper sooner or later. My wife and I are in the same boat as well. Everyone has new or newer cars while we have the slightly older ones, and they all have landscapers and lawn treatments and a plethora of other things. While it seems that I have half of what everyone else has though I know that I make more than some of them. The important thing to remember is that money can not buy happiness and as long as you have the essentials, a roof over your head, clothes on your back and food on the table your doing good. Consider that there are many who don't even have half of these 'luxuries. ' It helps to keep things in perspective.

Answer 3

first of all do all your other people have children, children are expensive i have three and sometimes i feel the same way, you also might need to evaluate your budget, don't eat out as much, find bargins, i sometimes shop for winter clothes in Feb or March when everything is on sale for the following year. Don't worry, not every family is the same, some have a better life still then others, i shop at Walmart too, sometimes i prefer the clothes there and at Target better.

Answer 4

Walmart is cheap I can tell you that for sure, sorry but 6 year old car is garbage. Maybe you are saving all your money and they are spending it? Plus you don't really know what your neighbors are doing, maybe they are selling drugs or something, that's why they have 2 brand new SUV's. don't say that they are making 1/3 of what you do, cuz you don't know that...If you are not happy with what you have then find a way to get 2nd income

Answer 5

Have you ever thought that they could be living out of their means? You are not looking at what you guys have complished. You have a loving wife and kids you have good family do not want what they want you do not know how their behind the doors life our they may look good from the outside but what about the inside life. You have good life and family. You are not poor at all.
I bet you make more then my family.
my husband only makes 10$ an hour we drive a mini van but you know what we have complished alot we are soon to get a mobil home which may not sound alot to others but its alot to us and we have two kids and we also buy our kids clothes at wal mart and our groceries. Do not feel bad about ur lives that will make you poor if you really want to make more out of your life FOR YOUR SELVES not bc you envy someone else maybe one of you should go back to school for something and maybe look for higher paying jobs.
well good luck to you guys i hope these feeling of you guys feeling poor goes away and i hope you feel better. I hope you know how much you have now.

Answer 6

First of all, quit comparing yourself to them! AND appreciate what you do have. You are apparently suffering from "Keep-up-with-the Jones' Syndrome" I'll give you a little bit of advice: If What you own is truly yours (not owned by the bank) you have something to be truly thankful for. It's yours! Most likely, if they have 2 SUV's and that much landscaping, they are WAY,WAY,WAY in debt. They probably are a LOT worse off than you!

Answer 7

Because society has molded us to worship money and things. This materialism WILL be part of the undoing of the modern world as we know it. This epidemic is consuming people at an increasing rate. Personally, I am scared. Are you happy? That's all that should matter. If you have what you need and your happy, then whats to worry about? Someone down the street having a nicer car or yard? Seems petty to me.

Answer 8

Because statistically most Americans are up to their ears in consumer debt. Your neighbors probably are paying $1000/month for those two SUVs, have no savings, no retirement money set aside, and $50,000 in credit card debt. I am shocked at who many of my friends have declared bankruptcy - after years of driving new cars!

Answer 9

we live in a consumerist world it is very possible your neighbours are in debt up to their eyeballs to maintain their standard of living or some received inheritants of some sort...either way do not get caught by the green eyed monster, if you can pay your bills, eat and have a roof over your head you are much luckier than most people in the world.my husband and I also work hard we have two children, my husband works days and I waitress at night, we have one car no cellphone one tv all our furniture was given to us, its old but comfortable

Answer 10

Don't worry about those other people, they are probably in debt up to their ears and beyond - they probably have only 20 bucks leftover after paying their bills. Be glad that you are able to provide for your family. Don't worry about the perpetrator's down the street.