People who are keeping up with the Joneses (person, member, Christmas)

[Pinkmani]

I hope this in the right category. Please share stories of people that you know that are or were keeping up with the Joneses.

I remember an aunt of mine kept bragging about how she was going on this wonderful 10-day cruise for Christmas (after we coincidently went on a cruise). She then called my dad a week or so before the cruise and asked him for $1000 to cover bills.

[afoigrokerkok]

Almost everyone in the US tries to keep up with the Jones'. It's, for better or worse, engrained in our culture.

[mainebrokerman]

I don't see it as much....

one of my fav bumper stickers is the

the best car ...... is paid for


minimal sustainability is going to be the catch phrase someday soon

we are almost 20 trillion in debt,,,someday we will have to pay the piper and it wont be pretty

[CSD610]

We have never tried to keep up with anyone, my Mother taught us to earn what we have and care for what we have earned.

[Kayekaye]

We don't have enough money to keep up with the Joneses. Those that do, good for them.

[baileyvpotter]

Originally Posted by CSD610

We have never tried to keep up with anyone, my Mother taught us to earn what we have and care for what we have earned.

Smart and what is the point? I've seen so many acquaintances and coworkers do this and what is the
point? There will always be someone else who has more money and more stuff when they decide
to play this game.

[CSD610]

Originally Posted by baileyvpotter

Smart and what is the point? I've seen so many acquaintances and coworkers do this and what is the
point? There will always be someone else who has more money and more stuff when they decide
to play this game.

I agree but let me be honest, the last 5 or so years I myself have been pretty stupid when it comes to making purchases and now I am burdened with stuff that I do not want or need.

I have not made the purchases to keep up with anyone and I'm not really sure what the motivation was because I am not a shopper but here I am with all this stuff now.

Anyway, I am currently sorting, separating, tossing, getting ready for garage sale or donating absolutely everything we do not want, need, use, does not fit, needs repaired or haven't worn in a year.
It is a long tedious process but it is showing me once again why I do not shop and why we do not need all of these material possessions.

I will be so glad when all of this is done.

[baileyvpotter]

^^^^I just noticed that I made an error in my first line. I did not mean to place "what is the point" in that first line....
it was late and I didn't proof read it. Anyway, my remark was intended to praise what your mother said.
We all can go back and reflect on some of the things we bought (and I too am not a shopper) and feel some purchases
were mistakes. But back to the topic, I knew so many people who bought things not because they needed them
but to "keep up with the Joneses" and then lament to me (secretly) that they were in debt or short of money for the
week or month.

[elyn02]

Originally Posted by Pinkmani

I hope this in the right category. Please share stories of people that you know that are or were keeping up with the Joneses.

I remember an aunt of mine kept bragging about how she was going on this wonderful 10-day cruise for Christmas (after we coincidently went on a cruise). She then called my dad a week or so before the cruise and asked him for $1000 to cover bills.

I know that with my friends and family, we share our experiences with each other and then decide if that is something we would also like to do. It also helps to learn the details of the trip to decide if we are going to copy it exactly or make changes according to our finances. Many times, we go along with our friends and family just because we enjoy their company so I don't automatically consider copying what another person does as keeping up with the Joneses.

However, I would agree that your aunt is trying to keep up with the Joneses. It is when you want and want and want without considering the consequences.

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by CSD610

We have never tried to keep up with anyone, my Mother taught us to earn what we have and care for what we have earned.

Same here.
Not everyone buys into the Jones thing.