Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

[disneysteve]

Re: Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

It's not just overspending on stuff a person doesn't really need, the basics of a middle class lifestyle are getting harder to pay for.

I think you are right. Things like electric, gas, property taxes, insurance, etc. are all getting more expensive. But on the other hand, how people define "basics" has changed dramatically. Many people now consider things like cell phones, cable tv, home computers with high speed internet, SUVs etc. to be "basics." Not saying you do any of these personally, but lots of folks do, even though plenty of people do just fine without those luxury items.

The whole issue is complex and has lots of facets to it.

[abowers]

Re: Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

Many people now consider things like cell phones, cable tv, home computers with high speed internet, SUVs etc. to be "basics." Not saying you do any of these personally, but lots of folks do, even though plenty of people do just fine without those luxury items.

We have cell phones... but they are our only phone (no landline). We have home computers... that we bought 5 years ago when we started college. We have high speed internet, but it comes with the apartment as we're in grad student housing. No SUV for me though, I've got a small little compact car which I love.

These are all things we were able to afford, we aren't living beyond our means for these things, even on a limited income.

[disneysteve]

Re: Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

We have cell phones... but they are our only phone (no landline). We have home computers... that we bought 5 years ago when we started college. We have high speed internet, but it comes with the apartment as we're in grad student housing. No SUV for me though, I've got a small little compact car which I love.

These are all things we were able to afford, we aren't living beyond our means for these things, even on a limited income.

I didn't mean to imply people shouldn't have those things. We've got cell phones, basic cable and a computer with high speed access (no SUV though. I've got a 9 year old Camry). The point I was trying to make was regarding the cost of "middle class" lifestyle. Part of the reason that lifestyle is getting more expensive is definitely that some necessities cost more. But another reason is that people consider many more things to be necessities when they really aren't.

[LuxLiving]

Re: Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

disneysteve, where are you? R You okay??? Haven't seen you around in a few days.

[tinapbeana]

Re: Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

disneysteve, where are you? R You okay??? Haven't seen you around in a few days.

i was wondering the same thing, but then thought i remembered him saying his family was going on vacation? maybe i'm hallucinating...

[disneysteve]

Re: Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

disneysteve, where are you? R You okay??? Haven't seen you around in a few days.

Here I am. Thanks for noticing my absence.

Tina is correct. We left 11/3 for our annual trip to Disney World. Just got back today. I did have internet access during the trip but didn't spend much time online. So all is well, except for having to go back to work tomorrow.