Daily Check In January 16, 2022

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Grannysewstoys
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Re: Daily Check In January 16, 2022

Post by Grannysewstoys »

by floridacatlover » Mon Jan 17, 2022 8:00 am

I totally agree that Mackie’s lunch calculations are the way to financial security, especially for anyone making a low or moderate income. I never made a lot of money but I was always VERY careful with what money I had. I was never into many of the Tightwad Gazette-type frugal activities (saving soap scraps, making homemade condiments and laundry detergent, etc.) but I almost never went out for lunch when I was working. Even now the vast majority of my Starbucks get togethers once or twice a month use Starbucks gift cards earned on Bing.

I must say I’m a believer that many people who say they “can’t make it” are not trying hard enough. Not the case for those who earn a very low income but for many. That is why I’m against some of the benefits in the Build Back Better bill which to me sets the income qualification level too high.
There are several expenses today that I never had when I was younger.

TV was free if you had a TV and antenna.

Telephone was a land line and very expensive, long distance even more expensive.

2 cars Until I started working at a job, and there was no bus to get to work we only had one car.

My hospital bill when I had my oldest in Manhattan was about $900. I was in the hospital a week because of complications. Straight inflation puts that at $8,094.25. Medical costs have gone up much more. My insurance covered only $300 of that amount.

The internet didn't exist, I used the library regularly. I rarely bought a book if I did it was a sewing reference book.

Clothes were expected to last awhile except for children who out grew them.

Coke or other sodas were a once in a while treat. Coffee was made at home.
Penny
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MackerelCat
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Re: Daily Check In January 16, 2022

Post by MackerelCat »

I can't get over people who say they can't afford X, Y and Z, but they always have a Starbucks or a Redbull in their hand. Yesterday it took me ten minutes to make a gallon and a half of home-brewed iced tea, using Food Lion's store brand family size tea bags, so that's less than 60 cents for my tea fix for the week.
Mackie
SandiSAHM
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Location: Oklahoma

Re: Daily Check In January 16, 2022

Post by SandiSAHM »

MackerelCat wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:17 am I can't get over people who say they can't afford X, Y and Z, but they always have a Starbucks or a Redbull in their hand. Yesterday it took me ten minutes to make a gallon and a half of home-brewed iced tea, using Food Lion's store brand family size tea bags, so that's less than 60 cents for my tea fix for the week.
I have the same reaction to some people I know (one I'm related to by marriage) who bemoan their dire financial situation and need to be gifted $$$. They don't come to me for it, one in particular knows I'll just ask to see his full sleeves and half-covered back and ask him how much all that tattoo work cost in total... The relative is a man in his 50s who has failed in 4 full separate businesses (all brick and mortar, retail and/or services) in a mere 20 years. Doesn't want to work for anyone but himself, but he steals both $ and merchandise from his businesses (he admits it - he owns it, after all, why should he have to pay for anything?) and then wonders why they don't succeed. WHO gives him $, I wonder (no, I don't, his mother gives it to him) for his twice annual escapes to Mexico?

None of them go to DH either, he just laughs.
clemencia2us
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Re: Daily Check In January 16, 2022

Post by clemencia2us »

OMG - I also check all that out - the coffee buying and going out to eat. Tattoos, nails, lashes, trips to the casino. I'm going to be struck by lightning! LOL
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MackerelCat
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Re: Daily Check In January 16, 2022

Post by MackerelCat »

I used to work with a woman who spent $110 a month on her nails. That's our natural gas and internet bills combined with some left over.
Mackie
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