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Today I could be riding in one friends highend luxury car and tomorrow we could be in anothers 10 year old chevy. Who cares.
Less than 6% of the us population makes over $150,000 per year. If your friends with the luxury houses and luxury cars are one of these elite 6%, great for them. If not, hope they enjoy eating cat food in retirement...
Most Americans think they are rich, but don't have the consistant, annual income to back up the fact they simply can't afford their "living above their means" lifestyle.
And why do I care you ask? Because I refuse to work my ass off for 50 years working 60 hours per week and pinching my pennies so a bunch of uneducated, instant gratification smucks can't show a little self restraint and live well below their means!
Live and let live sure....but don't come around bitching and whinning when you have acted financially ignorant throughout your entire life. Go ahead and make the CHOICE to purchase a new Harley every 5 years you can't actually afford, but just don't complain with a mouth full of cat food while in your "golden years"...
Income range Number of households (in thousands) Percent Cumulative percentages
Under $2,500 2,566 2.26 less than $25k
28.22% less than $50k
54.98% less than $100k
84.18%
$2,500 to $4,999 1,389 1.22
$5,000 to $7,499 2,490 2.20
$7,500 to $9,999 3,360 2.96
$10,000 to $12,499 4,013 3.54
$12,500 to $14,999 3,543 3.13
$15,000 to $17,499 3,760 3.32
$17,500 to $19,999 3,438 3.03
$20,000 to $22,499 4,061 3.58
$22,500 to $24,999 3,375 2.98
$25,000 to $50,000
$25,000 to $27,499 3,938 3.48 $25k-$50k
23.25%
$27,500 to $29,999 2,889 2.55
$30,000 to $32,499 3,921 3.46
$32,500 to $34,999 2,727 2.41
$35,000 to $37,499 3,360 2.96
$37,500 to $39,999 2,633 2.32
$40,000 to $42,499 3,378 2.98
$42,500 to $44,999 2,294 2.02
$45,000 to $47,499 2,700 2.38
$47,500 to $49,999 2,371 2.09
$50,000 to $75,000
$50,000 to $52,499 3,071 2.71 $50k-$75k
18.27% $50k-$100k
29.2%
$52,500 to $54,999 2,006 1.77
$55,000 to $57,499 2,420 2.13
$57,500 to $59,999 1,786 1.57
$60,000 to $62,499 2,566 2.26
$62,500 to $64,999 1,774 1.56
$65,000 to $67,499 2,101 1.85
$67,500 to $69,999 1,637 1.44
$70,000 to $72,499 1,978 1.74
$72,500 to $74,999 1,413 1.24
$75,000 to $100,000
$75,000 to $77,499 1,802 1.59 $75k-$100k
10.93%
$77,500 to $79,999 1,264 1.11
$80,000 to $82,499 1,673 1.47
$82,500 to $84,999 1,219 1.07
$85,000 to $87,499 1,418 1.25
$87,500 to $89,999 984 0.86
$90,000 to $92,499 1,282 1.13
$92,500 to $94,999 917 0.81
$95,000 to $97,499 1,023 0.90
$97,500 to $99,999 846 0.74
$100,000 or more
$100,000 to $149,999 11,194 9.89 $100k or more
15.82%
$150,000 to $199,999 3,595 3.17
$200,000 to $249,999 1,325 1.17
$250,000 and above 1,699 1.50
WOW Siberia, calm down. I'm not saying that there are not people out there living well above their means at all. I know people like that too. But you can not believe that EVERYONE that does own a nice car, house, etc is like that. There are many that are. Maybe I'm just in an area that has more down to earth people that are willing to save to pay cash for nice things, have secure jobs (most are early retired or own their own business and such). These people ALREADY have their "golden years" covered and paid for in advance. They are not spending their retirement on frivilious luxuries. Yes, there are less people making a 6 figure salary than there are not but that does not mean they are all "uneducated, instant gratification smucks can't show a little self restraint and live well below their means". Actually quite the opposite. Most are living well BELOW their means. Maybe they got where they are because of that and actually watched where they spent their money. Willing to investigate purchases beforehand and not waste money on inferior products that have to be replaced and such. Take care of their things so that they are worth more, etc. You can NOT judge someone based on what they wear, drive and where they live. They may not make $40K a year but got a nice inheritance and paid cash for that house and still have more money in the bank, they just like the job they have. Instead of the "most Americans think they are rich" it sounds like you have the thinking that anyone that lives in a nice house or drives a luxury car is automatically "living above their means".
Ben Around, I understood the topic of this thread 100%. I was just responding to the fact that it is ignorant for people to think that just because someone drives a nice car or lives in an upscale home that they may be living beyond their means. Realistically they not at all and not really "keeping up w/ the Jones'" at all. Perceived notions are all these are. It is pretty easy to tell the difference between the two. Those that are financially secure don't make a big deal about it and don't give a rats behind what someone else thinks, drives, lives, wears, etc. So what if I like wearing nice clothes, I like that. I don't care what others think. Besides, there is ALWAYS going to be someone wearing something better or more expensive than me anyway (I like sales, GOOD sales, not just those 25% off things to tease ya). As it is also sometimes easy to tell the difference between those that are living beyond their means and those that are not, it is also easy to recognize jealousy. The ones that are trying to keep up w/ anyone are usually VERY jealous and then there are the ones that are not spending every penny they get but still are jealous of those that they believe have more. More money, nicer cars, clothes, bigger house, newer car, etc. If everyone stopped caring about everyone elses financial affairs they would be better off themselves. Like Siberia needs to get over the fact that not everyone driving a Jag is leasing it. Some are paid for in cash. Others just save and are savy buyers making their money work for them.
Oh well, I really don't care. I'm me and I know that I am happy w/ my life and always have been, even when we did not have squat.
It is very funny to me that many people feel they have to do keep up with their neighbors. Might pretentious be a good adjective? Obviously, they don't have values of importance but prefer the material things in life i.e., expensive cars, boats, trips, hobbies, expensive ties, huge pools, huge houses that they're never in because they're too busy at social gatherings or country clubs to enjoy their abodes, and, well, most of you get the picture, those that believe money and things define success.
I know, not everyone with "big" things fits the description above, but I have been around so many in which it fits them perfectly.
I once knew a man from Highland Park, Texas whose wife was killed in an auto wreck while driving his Mercedes. When informed of her death, his comment was, "How is the car?" Within days, he was the "proud" owner of a new Mercedes, apparently a very important status symbol to him. Now that's truly pathetic.
Then there's the she who can't go outside without makeup, heaven forbid, and is dressed to kill even when she's at the market. She is very attractive with her lovely clothes, fancy hair do, expensive "fake" face, and she is a looker. But when she opens her mouth to speak, it takes away from her beauty as she talks so hickish per se and totally destroys the English language. Some how what looked like "class" quickly disappeared when she opened her mouth. Sorry, just one of my pet peeves and of course, it applies to many gents as well.
The modest life, high-quality values, and a tad of intelligence rule!!
After reading many posts regarding "keeping up with the Jones" I feel that's perhaps it's the insecurity of the neighbor himself that has the issue. I would hate to say the word jealousy, but if the shoe fits?
Would I be labeled if I purchased a new vehicle that happens to be the same price or model or better than my neighbor's?
So what.
Am I a snob if my children attend private school?
So what. Stick & stones....
May I have a house cleaner? A nanny?
Did you sit up with me all night during finals? Did you work two jobs for 10 years? One of them being a House Cleaner. I saved, I sacrificed & I worked HARD. I still do. And to top it all off, I have a well adjusted, well behaved, happy little family. We spend time together, play games, snuggle everynight, read, etc etc.
So what is all the fuss all about? Name calling is so childish and immature. McMansion & other terms are derogotory.
When will it end? I don't think it ever will so I will teach my children tolerance among other things. Remember to live & let live without judging. Walk a mile in my shoes, then judge me. Until then, be happy and stop judging your neighbors lest YOU be judged. And have a nice day
After reading many posts regarding "keeping up with the Jones" I feel that's perhaps it's the insecurity of the neighbor himself that has the issue. I would hate to say the word jealousy, but if the shoe fits?
Would I be labeled if I purchased a new vehicle that happens to be the same price or model or better than my neighbor's?
So what.
Am I a snob if my children attend private school?
So what. Stick & stones....
May I have a house cleaner? A nanny?
Did you sit up with me all night during finals? Did you work two jobs for 10 years? One of them being a House Cleaner. I saved, I sacrificed & I worked HARD. I still do. And to top it all off, I have a well adjusted, well behaved, happy little family. We spend time together, play games, snuggle everynight, read, etc etc.
So what is all the fuss all about? Name calling is so childish and immature. McMansion & other terms are derogotory.
When will it end? I don't think it ever will so I will teach my children tolerance among other things. Remember to live & let live without judging. Walk a mile in my shoes, then judge me. Until then, be happy and stop judging your neighbors lest YOU be judged. And have a nice day
Indulging yourself and your family in material wealth to immerse them in happiness if perfectly acceptable if you can afford it. NewHome, if you can afford a nice, new car, a McMansion, a nanny, etc., then I'm very happy for you. What I'm talking about are the people who can not afford these items but insist on purchasing them anyways, extending themselves into massive credit card debt and struggling to keep their homes simply to "keep up" with the apparent success of everyone else around them. Then, these same people harp on and on about how they "can't afford to live here anymore", even though they only have themselves to blame for driving up their own cost-of-living through unchecked spending. This is the philosophy I argued about on the one NJ forum thread (now locked) that erupted into a brou-ha-ha of red dots, name-calling, and outrage towards me because I was appalled to see NJ people whining that they "couldn't survive" on six-figure salaries! The median household income in NJ is far less than $100,000, so obviously the majority of the state is able to "survive" without "struggling" on far less than what those whiners were earning. If not, then over half the state would be on public assistance and foreclosing on their homes!
NewHome, God bless you for wanting to immerse your children in a lifestyle that perhaps you or your husband were never able to experience. However, there's a fine line between enjoying your discretionary income, which you appear to be doing, and "living beyond your means", which much of North Jersey appears to be doing. During all of my commutes through North Jersey into Manhattan, I must admit that every other car with NJ license plates was a newer vehicle, more often than not a BMW, Audi, Volvo, Lexus, etc. Who'd like to take a stab to wonder what percentage of those people are the ones who were on the NJ forum whining that they "couldn't survive?" I only earn $9/hr., and I know my limitations. While most of my peers are driving expensive brand-new vehicles, my parents only earn $80,000 combined and quite simply can't afford to buy me a new Mercedes like all of my friends seem to possess. Does that irk me? Not at all. I feel more responsible to know that my crappy little 1999 Ford Contour was paid in full from my own savings, and that I pay for my own insurance, my own textbooks, my own organic groceries, etc. Now, if I were "keeping up with the Jones's", I'd trade in my Contour for a Beemer and then struggle to make the payments on it while picking up more hours at work (while my schoolwork suffered), just so I could attempt to be like everyone else. That's not the lifestyle I ever want to have, nor is it one I want my children to endure.
After reading many posts regarding "keeping up with the Jones" I feel that's perhaps it's the insecurity of the neighbor himself that has the issue. I would hate to say the word jealousy, but if the shoe fits?
Would I be labeled if I purchased a new vehicle that happens to be the same price or model or better than my neighbor's?
So what.
Am I a snob if my children attend private school?
So what. Stick & stones....
May I have a house cleaner? A nanny?
Did you sit up with me all night during finals? Did you work two jobs for 10 years? One of them being a House Cleaner. I saved, I sacrificed & I worked HARD. I still do. And to top it all off, I have a well adjusted, well behaved, happy little family. We spend time together, play games, snuggle everynight, read, etc etc.
So what is all the fuss all about? Name calling is so childish and immature. McMansion & other terms are derogotory.
When will it end? I don't think it ever will so I will teach my children tolerance among other things. Remember to live & let live without judging. Walk a mile in my shoes, then judge me. Until then, be happy and stop judging your neighbors lest YOU be judged. And have a nice day
NewHome--No, you are just not grasping the concept we are discussing. Whether one is labled as "Keeping up with the Joneses" has nothing to do with how much they have or don't have. It's about their VALUES! Do you live in a mobile home but want to get a double wide just because your neighbors all have them? If yes, you are KUWTJ. Do you drive a $90k Porsche but feel the need to buy another expensive car because people at your Country Club have two expensive cars they drive for fun? If yes, you are KUWTJ.
I agree with you BAR, here is a perfect example. The carpoole my kids are in Parent A bought new Yukon just before Christmas, they did need a new car mom was driving a older truck with the 1/2 back seat (don't know what its called) when I say older approx. 96/97. Parent B bought brand new Escalade
last week, the other Escalade is approx. 03/04, they are definatley KUWTJ. Every year he has to put up more Christmas lights so he has more than neighbor I just laugh. His comment to me how could my child not have a camera phone(cell), I should just buy him one ( No not going to happen).
This morning my son(13) tells me Mom we need a new car now. I said Matte no way we don't KUWTJ, nothing wrong with our cars 02 Truck and 03 Suburban, not considering it.
Parent B got insulted one day when I accidentally called her Lexus an Acura (oops).
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I'm me and I know that I am happy w/ my life and always have been, even when we did not have squat. 
Perspective
The median household income in NJ is far less than $100,000, so obviously the majority of the state is able to "survive" without "struggling" on far less than what those whiners were earning. If not, then over half the state would be on public assistance and foreclosing on their homes! 
It's the Values!
