Ok, so me and my husband went to his friends house the other night. Well, I noticed they had very, very nice things. Like they had a HUGE T.V., a pool table, a million movies, a playstation 3, a nice house, nice new furniture.... like they were rich. Then he goes into picking on his wife about getting a new vechicle every 3 months. Then they told us that her mom bought their house and they don't have to pay her everymonth, so they basically dont have monthly house payments. Then he said that if they can finance it, then they can buy it. I got the impression that they live a lavish life and that they can buy anything they want. Well me an my husband got a fixer upper house and are still working on it, doing things ourselves instead of paying someone to do it for us. We pay all of our bills on time and we dont run up our credit cards. My husband is very careful with his money. Well we don't have as nice of things as they do. We have hand me down furniture, and a small TV... etc...
2007-01-28 11:31:40 · 9 answers · asked by JoHanna 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
You get the picture. So my question is who is better off me and my husband or the his friend and his wife? I felt kind of bad because they had nicer things then us... but then I thought about how much debt they must be in... what do you think?
2007-01-28 11:33:03 · update #1
They werent mean or anthing... they make a little more money then we do. But it's pretty much even...
2007-01-28 11:34:56 · update #2
I believe that truly you and your husband are better off. You are handling things the right way. First of all you will appreciate what you have since you worked so hard to get it. Second, you and your husband will have a better well-rounded relationship-no enormous bills to fight over, and finally you are the wiser party. Thinking positive and working hard will pay off far better than the alternate route.
2007-01-28 11:39:24 · answer #1 · answered by Wendy H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those people sound very shallow to me. They could not even be responsible adults by taking out a normal mortgage; they had to run to mommy. They don't value the things they own, but think that the items give them value. By financing all of their toys, they will be paying it off past retirement, if they ever pay it off. How long until they purchase so much at they end up with creditors at their door, maybe they already are and the people just haven't learned their lesson. Would their names be Jones by chance?
If you and your husband keep working, without a large portion of your income going towards credit cards, and put money into savings, in time, you will be able to purchase the same items with cash and have no debt. You understand the value of having a home, the responsibility it entails. I would rather have people like you as friends than them.
2007-01-28 20:49:50 · answer #2 · answered by una_jet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard to say who's better off as you just wrote about material things...and how much they had versus what you didn't have and how you were totally okay with that which I doubt. I would say that you have some jealousy there which is probably normal to a degree and that your Friends were a little bit too boastful about sharing all their personal financial details with you. But, bottom line is whether you have money or you don't there are still far too many other things in life that matter and that would help you determine who is better off. Not really sure why it matters to you to know...if you and your husband are genuinely happy with what you have materialistically wise and love each other and yourselves for who and how you are to others, then who really cares who has more than you relative to big tvs, bigger house, etc. It is just stuff and be gained or lost in seconds...I would focus on the more important things in life if I were you!
2007-01-28 20:16:37 · answer #3 · answered by chick33 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seriously, there are alot of people who may "seem" well off with a nice home and all the toys, however.........their credit debt would make anyone nauseaus......YOU and your husband will be able to afford all the up grades as time goes on because you do it smart.......no interest...that money goes to no one but you. Plus, your pride is worth more than $$, feel proud and content with what you have, and enjoy a burden free life. PS Gen X is right, read The Millionaire Next Door.........you will gain much though this reading.......and also, where is their pride? (mommy pays for debt)
2007-01-28 19:39:22 · answer #4 · answered by suzie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely you and your husband, hands down. While they might enjoy the life they live now, it will eventually catch up with them. Sooner or later they will have to pay for that HUGE TV, pool table and PS3, along w/ all the finance charges with it. And not to be mean, but no one lives forever, so what happens when the mother is not there to help support them. Then they'll have to pay taxes, insurance, upkeep and maintenance for their home, along with the mortgage they took out to pay for the HUGE TV, pool table and PS3 and finance charges. Believe me, I understand how hard it is to keep living with-in your means in these days of "have now, pay later", but $$ can't buy that piece of mind that knowing what is yours is yours, fully paid for and can't be taken away. Don't let what your friends have get you down, just keep doing what your doing and your hard work & common sense will pay off faster than their credit will be! Good For You!
2007-01-28 22:05:59 · answer #5 · answered by butterfly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are your husband are doing things in a better way than your friends. A lot of people believe that the material things you have are a measure of wealth and how well off people are. In reality, it is more of a measure of how much debt they are.
When you are willing to work hard, save, and pay for the things you get with cash you will be much better off than the person who goes into debt for those things. Delaying this gratification is what this country seems to be unwilling to do now.
2007-01-28 20:03:15 · answer #6 · answered by Jen G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your answer lies within the book called The Millionaire Next Door. Hands down, those that show off their wealth are deep in debt.
This book outlines the habits of TRUE millionaires and is based on statistical fact.
2007-01-28 19:37:09 · answer #7 · answered by Gen X Millionaire 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They're better off. No mortgage means extra income for them. Some people have it better than others, it's a fact of life. Just try to be the best you can.
I'll give you a stock tip in the meantime that may make you rich like them one day: China Mobile. Ticker CHL.
2007-01-28 20:07:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you are happy with your marrage and your family you are rich. Don't compare yourself to others, compare your life and level of happiness with a year ago. Is it better? If not make it so.
2007-01-28 22:41:07 · answer #9 · answered by sm4125 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋