OT - What's in your wallet? Why?

im horrible with money...but the lord has carried me through...money dont mean shiott when yo soul is jacked...learned that lesson...i have considered selling all my stuff, quitting my job and move to san diego to be a beach bumb...will work for food...id rather have peace and love than $$$ any day...

i heard a preacher say, "dont let the devil trick you and believe that EVERYBODY is in a recession"...he got that right with his high livin self...i will go on a vacation w/ out paying bills...i figure, when i get back, the bill will still be there...aint nobody gonna take it...

Yeah when I was much much younger I used to think like that too.  Ya know, give it all up and move to California and just roam the west coast like BJ and the Bear, without the truck and without that dayum monkey.  But, then I took my first trip out to "Holly-weird" back in college; saw all of the young folks who had the same thoughts about chucking it all that I did, who are now strung out on Heroin and I was ever so thankful that, the dream was nothing more than a fleeting thought that passed me by. 

I still wish we didn't have to depend on money or that money didn't ultimately drive our culture. 

Money still means a lot to me but the reasons have changed.  I was more materialistic minded back in the day.  Now....I know I need the money to keep above water....the basics require much more attention.  LOL

I hate that the basics require so much attention.  They can put a man on the moon, create a pill that can make a wrinkled up 80 year old man a stud-playa, and invent a pair of electric scissors, but they can't figure out a way to just keep people living comfortably and happy without having to spend so much money all the time.  That stinks!

I'm frustrated when it comes to finances. A few years ago when doing travel nursing I made more $ than any 20 something should.  At that time I was interested in having fun, and having 'play' money, not saving.  Now that I'm older and wiser I don't make the $ I used to, plus I'm sttill trying to pay off the good times I had while travelling.

I hear ya.  Paying it back makes you look at your monthly bills and wonder, "Did I have this much fun back then??!!"

Back in the day folks would work their 40 years and collect a pension, retire, and travel around having fun.  Fast forward to today and factor childhood obesity, health issues/concerns, and the life expectancy of an individual living near an urban area being embarrassingly low... 

Sheeeeeeet. 

You'd be better off traveling whenever you can get the time off from work and hope that your butt lives to be able to retire. 

True, true.  But some of the fun makes it worth the while.  Now only if I didn't make so much money and could file Ch 7 or had a kid or two to write off-oh well.  Guess I'll keep working my 2 jobs.

I am tighter with my money what I used to be.  I used to have more disposible income for me but now the kids, the house and the vehicles eat all that up.    When it was just me and the husband we used to eat out just about every night and I went to the beauty salon twice a week and bi weekly for a mani and pedi.  My fresh 'do with mani and pedi are now ballet, tap & martial arts. 

I watch my credit report like a hawk.  I try to do cash and carry whenever I can.  We need a new car right now but I'm going to ride what we have until the wheels fall off.  I'm just not comfortable getting into long term debt anymore. 

I used to have more disposible income for me but now the kids, the house and the vehicles eat all that up. 

I know the feeling those things you mention just gobble up the money like Ms. Pac-Mac leaving you feeling like she does when the ghosts finally catch up to her. 

but I'm going to ride what we have until the wheels fall off.  I'm just not comfortable getting into long term debt anymore. 

Amen, Sista!   I can definitely dig it.  If it still runs find a good inexpensive mechanic and let him keep you and your vehicle on the road.  Especially, after all the gaw-bidge that's got Toyota's name in the news these days.  And they were the ones I would have recommended to my BAF family too.

Money means a lot to me....and if I can ever get my student loans paid off....I wont have to feel as though I need to worship it. Unfortunately for me, I did not work for a University when I was in college (no tuition remission) nor was I a stellar student worthly of full paid scholarships with paid expenses. The loans are like a saddle on my back AND I can't wait until I can buck that shioot off and run FREE!!!

Other than that...I am trying to make wiser decisions these days...especially considering the fact that I have two girls to plan for... While I actually "want" them to struggle a little (builds character), I do want to be able to assist them if it really comes down to it.  No one should have to work a full time job cleaning up old folks shioot in a nursing home and a part-time job at McDs and then go to school at the same time. That was very difficult for me...plus ..it simply is not a healthy combination....especially when you get a flick of the old folks shioot on somebody's burger....LOL!!! We call that one a McNasty......I said that especially for you folks thinking about a McD's run today.

ETA: Ya'll know I am just kidding....I would personally never do anything so dreadful....but ya'll know that all kinds of crazy stuff goes on..when other people prepare your food. I am actually glad that I decreased significantly my fast food and eating out dependency for that reason alone.