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03-31-2008, 09:57 AM
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#121
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oahu
Posts: 26,860
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Parents, I've rediscovered an old trick for teaching your teen good shopping skills.
We went to the Lion King stage production last October and our kid was sucked in by the souvenir stands. She'd saved her money for her purchase and had a plan so we let her run wild without criticism. She left with a $30 LK t-shirt to show off at school. Presumably the psychic score was short-lived because we rarely see the t-shirt anymore.
Last week spouse was out shopping with our kid and found the same shirt at Goodwill for $1. Spouse wears the shirt as often as she can, and our kid can't stand to look at it...
Quote:
Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny
I shoot for the look that says it wouldnt be worth it to sue me or write me a ticket.
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I go for the look that makes people worry that I'm going to ask them for money...
You know you've arrived when the shorts you put on for surfing look nicer than the shorts you wear for errands and dining out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cute fuzzy bunny
Especially baby clothes. I cant believe the markup on kids clothing.
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A friend of ours grosses $25K/year on eBay just by buying garage-sale kid's clothes (50 cents to a dollar) and marking them up a couple hundred percent...
__________________
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Co-author (with my daughter) of “Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence.”
Author of the book written on E-R.org: "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement."
I don't spend much time here— please send a PM.
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03-31-2008, 10:04 AM
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#122
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Losing my whump
Posts: 22,708
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I'm sure. Gabe has a cousin thats about a year younger than he is that gets a steady supply of nearly new clothes.
You have to stay on top of the clearance deals, but they're amazing...for him and for us. Buying at the end of season clearances for next year can be very rewarding.
I loaded up on REI tee shirts and polo shirts for $2.xx and $3.xx per shirt at the end of last summer. All of them arrived with original price tags between $18 and $30. Just bought him two years worth of Disney winter PJ's for Gabe for $4.xx a pair and then saw the same jammies at Babiesrus for $18-20 a pair.
__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.
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03-31-2008, 04:18 PM
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#123
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,360
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oma
I don't like second hand clothing, or some furniture. Not ashamed, just don't like the thought of wearing someone else's clothes.
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Doesn't bother me. But then, a lot of my stuff is second-hand, for two reasons: (1) I don't like waste; (2) older things are frequently (though not invariably) better made than new things.
I especially like wearing clothes that I inherited from my late father (simple shirts, sweaters and jeans that are never really in or out of style). They are a nice reminder of him.
__________________
"To know what you prefer, instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive". Robert Louis Stevenson, An Inland Voyage (1878)
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03-31-2008, 05:44 PM
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#124
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,670
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I actually try to look more poor than I am.
I still wear clean clothes, eat well, and travel, but I don't flaunt it. I don't drive fancy cars, I don't live in a McMansion, and I don't belong to any country clubs.
Most friends and relatives would probably guess my net worth is 1/10th to 1/5th of what I really have, and that is just the way I want it. They know I'm not poor, but they also don't think I have as much as I do.
__________________
No man is free who is not master of himself. --- Epictetus
Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think). --- Guy Lombardo
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04-01-2008, 11:08 AM
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#125
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Tampa/St Petersburg, FLA
Posts: 314
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Milton
They are a nice reminder of him.
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Interesting. May have the same circumstance w/ my father. Never imagined wearing his stuff - but you have me thinking now. Thanks for the post.
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04-01-2008, 01:10 PM
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#126
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 17,774
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Our lawyer (actually a good friend of ours) said we needed only a simple will since trusts are for people with money.... We do a real good job of living poor, I guess.
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04-01-2008, 02:59 PM
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#127
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: near Canadian border and near Mexican border
Posts: 1,142
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Linney
Ah yes, well that's a device we have here in the very rainy Pacific Northwest to get our clothes dry. If we hung them outdoors, it might take --months-- before they got dry.
--Linney
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That is on the west side of the Cascades. The east side is totaly different.
About 8 years ago when my son was stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB, another officer made the comment - "I bet you are glad to get out of the Pacific NW and get here where it is dry". Son's response - "I have never seen so much rain before coming to Ohio".
__________________
Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. That's my story and I am sticking to it.
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04-01-2008, 03:14 PM
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#128
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: near Canadian border and near Mexican border
Posts: 1,142
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While making a donation of clothes to the local Homeless Veterans shop, one of the workers asked me - "Are you sure you don't need to keep some of those clothes?" Oops! Fancy clothes are very low on my hiearcy of "needs".
__________________
Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. That's my story and I am sticking to it.
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04-05-2008, 06:59 PM
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#129
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boise
Posts: 7,882
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retire@40
I actually try to look more poor than I am.
I still wear clean clothes, eat well, and travel, but I don't flaunt it. I don't drive fancy cars, I don't live in a McMansion, and I don't belong to any country clubs.
Most friends and relatives would probably guess my net worth is 1/10th to 1/5th of what I really have, and that is just the way I want it. They know I'm not poor, but they also don't think I have as much as I do.
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Me too. I enjoy not standing out. Actually I did a stint once as a night janitor of an office building to help my former in-laws out; that was fun.
Right now I'm wearing tennis shoes and jeans from Walmart, a dress shirt that was a gift from a prior employer (with company logo), and a jacket my former wife bought me so it's at least two years old and probably more like 5 years old. Oh, and boxers and socks from Costco.
I drive a 1995 Toyota Corolla and live in a house that is priced just under the median for where I live, and is also around the median for my subdivision.
As far as country clubs go, I was flabbergasted to learn that -- at least at one fancy pants one nearby -- paying the $20K per year membership dues just gave you access to pay to play golf there. The greens fees there are even more than the better public courses. So you pay $20K a year, then $85 a pop to play a course that is worse than a course that costs $50 a pop to play? Insanity...
2Cor521
__________________
"At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough, and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may in fact be the first steps of a journey." Violet Baudelaire.
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Bought some new shirts today
04-05-2008, 07:26 PM
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#130
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,047
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Bought some new shirts today
First time in 3 or 4 years. I'm still on the job (21 more months!) and my wife mentioned a few times that my shirts were looking frayed at the top of the collars and on the sleeves. ("Yeah, so what's your point, honey?") I finally decided to spend a few dollars and get replacements (should take me through December 31, 2009 -- the day we reach ravioli). My wife said now I'd be happier getting up on Monday, now that I have nicer shirts to select from. She paused and realized her mistake -- nothing could make me/us want to get up on Monday, except the 10,000 things that await us once we are FIRED.
But the important point is that somewhere along the line I decided I really didn't care too much what others thought about my work clothes -- frayed sleeves are a bit much, okay, but I wasn't aware that my opinion on this changed. I used to be more of a stickler about dressing for work. But not any more.
BB
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04-06-2008, 05:25 AM
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#131
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 979
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I'm 20-something, I'm entitled to look poor. It's a badge of courage, carry on my wayward college student kind of thing.
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04-06-2008, 06:31 AM
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#132
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern WV Panhandle
Posts: 25,340
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SecondCor521
As far as country clubs go, I was flabbergasted to learn that -- at least at one fancy pants one nearby -- paying the $20K per year membership dues just gave you access to pay to play golf there. The greens fees there are even more than the better public courses. So you pay $20K a year, then $85 a pop to play a course that is worse than a course that costs $50 a pop to play? Insanity...
2Cor521
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Ahhh, but the STATUS!
Priceless.
At least that's what they want you to think.
__________________
When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.
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04-06-2008, 08:09 AM
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#133
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 11,327
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Quote:
Originally Posted by retire@40
I actually try to look more poor than I am.
I still wear clean clothes, eat well, and travel, but I don't flaunt it. I don't drive fancy cars, I don't live in a McMansion, and I don't belong to any country clubs.
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I'm in the same place in terms of looks, cars, and house (although the costs for the neighborhood are extremely high so we would be in McMansion-land rates if we were somewhere else)
Quote:
Most friends and relatives would probably guess my net worth is 1/10th to 1/5th of what I really have, and that is just the way I want it. They know I'm not poor, but they also don't think I have as much as I do.
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That would be true of strangers but not relatives. I think most of my relatives and close friends are within the ball park on how we stand because they know I had a long Federal career and actually over estimate the pension. They also know that DW is closing out a career in "big law" and have heard all the rumors about that.
__________________
Idleness is fatal only to the mediocre -- Albert Camus
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04-06-2008, 08:46 AM
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#134
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 331
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I hate to say it, but I haven't stumbled on to this thread before this morning. You guys sure remind me that I am in the right crowd hear at the forum. It's nice to be around people like me.
I seem to feel like the odd duck around this area sometimes. I don't spend a bundle on matching purses and shoes with all my outfits. I don't have a closet for my jewelry. I don't have a thing in the closet that has a designer label in it unless it came from an outlet.
My neighbors and friends all seem to be consumed with status in clothing, cars, and home furnishings. They excepted that I don't really care to have the latest fashions and don't hold it against them if they do.
Gosh, my neighbor across the street just got a new little expensive convertible. That makes about six of those on the street now. I drive a Yaris hatchback that gets 38 miles to the gallon and I can haul things from Lowes and Home Depot without worrying about destroying it.
I know they whisper behind my back that money must be a little tight for us. I have had a couple of neighbors ask how we can afford all of our travel and I just smile and say we budget for it. They just don't get it and keep on working to feed their addiction to "status". I think they would all be shocked if they knew the "status" we have stored away for ourselves.
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04-06-2008, 09:07 AM
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#135
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Losing my whump
Posts: 22,708
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SecondCor521
As far as country clubs go, I was flabbergasted to learn that -- at least at one fancy pants one nearby -- paying the $20K per year membership dues just gave you access to pay to play golf there. The greens fees there are even more than the better public courses. So you pay $20K a year, then $85 a pop to play a course that is worse than a course that costs $50 a pop to play? Insanity...
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Heres one you'll REALLY like!
Other side of the road from my house is an exclusive country club/luxury development. The HOA dues alone are over $600 a month. Before you buy a home there, you have to commit to one of two packages. Either a 30k country club package that allows you play at your preselected choice of two of the four courses, or a 50k package that allows use of all four.
Uh, and thats an annual fee. And then its $65 for a round, $80 if you go out in the mornings in the summer before it hits 110.
Now the downside to this is that people who built the really big fancy mcmansions back in the mid 90's when the place was initially built thought they were buying into a fairly exclusive enclave. When the money surge from the stock market in the late 90's hit, and the recent housing boom added to the excitement, the builders went back and quadrupled the number of homes in and around the "enclave". It looks like houseapalooza up there now.
__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.
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04-06-2008, 10:51 AM
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#136
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oahu
Posts: 26,860
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SecondCor521
As far as country clubs go, I was flabbergasted to learn that -- at least at one fancy pants one nearby -- paying the $20K per year membership dues just gave you access to pay to play golf there. The greens fees there are even more than the better public courses. So you pay $20K a year, then $85 a pop to play a course that is worse than a course that costs $50 a pop to play? Insanity...
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I knew a self-employed architect who built a very nice home (did I mention he's an architect?) on 17 Mile Drive and was a member of both Pebble Beach & Spyglass.
His firm paid the dues & fees and presumably enjoyed some sort of tax deduction. He justified the expense by citing the differing demographics and intense rivalry between fans of the two courses, who of course were also his core customers.
This thread inspired me to go look at some other ol' threads-- my submarine coveralls. I remember the abuse those things took and how long they endured, and I've concluded that owning a wide variety of nice clothing is over-rated. Entertaining, perhaps, but not essential.
__________________
*
Co-author (with my daughter) of “Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence.”
Author of the book written on E-R.org: "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement."
I don't spend much time here— please send a PM.
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04-06-2008, 11:02 AM
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#137
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Gone but not forgotten
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,924
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It is nice to find people who don't think you're weird.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cruisinthru
I hate to say it, but I haven't stumbled on to this thread before this morning. You guys sure remind me that I am in the right crowd hear at the forum. It's nice to be around people like me.
I seem to feel like the odd duck around this area sometimes. I don't spend a bundle on matching purses and shoes with all my outfits. I don't have a closet for my jewelry. I don't have a thing in the closet that has a designer label in it unless it came from an outlet.
My neighbors and friends all seem to be consumed with status in clothing, cars, and home furnishings. They excepted that I don't really care to have the latest fashions and don't hold it against them if they do.
Gosh, my neighbor across the street just got a new little expensive convertible. That makes about six of those on the street now. I drive a Yaris hatchback that gets 38 miles to the gallon and I can haul things from Lowes and Home Depot without worrying about destroying it.
I know they whisper behind my back that money must be a little tight for us. I have had a couple of neighbors ask how we can afford all of our travel and I just smile and say we budget for it. They just don't get it and keep on working to feed their addiction to "status". I think they would all be shocked if they knew the "status" we have stored away for ourselves.
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__________________
"Knowin' no one nowhere's gonna miss us when we're gone..."
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04-06-2008, 11:24 AM
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#138
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 47,498
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Khan
It is nice to find people who don't think you're weird.
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Rare, too, IME.
__________________
Already we are boldly launched upon the deep; but soon we shall be lost in its unshored, harbourless immensities. - - H. Melville, 1851.
Happily retired since 2009, at age 61. Best years of my life by far!
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04-06-2008, 12:37 PM
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#139
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,811
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I used to have to wear a suit and tie at w*rk. Then Megacorp went to business casual (no jeans or tee shirts) on Fridays. Then they went to all casual...for 5 years. The new CEO said No and we went back to suits. In the meantime I had gained a few pounds so I had to get new suits (could not be altered).
I moved a lot with my former company; cold climate a hot one; hot one to a very tropical one; back to a cold one; then to a very cold one; back to a high desert area, etc. etc. This required changing out clothing every few years but keeping some of the "other" stuff for when needed for visits in the "off" season.
The next company was all business casual. By then I had lost 30 pounds so none of my old business casual clothes fit...off to the store again. But always to Kohl's or other discount stores for a good deal.
DW was a clothes horse but always bought on Sale. Current DW has lost a ton of weight so nothing fits anymore so she is on a buying spree as needed. Guys are lucky...we can get away with spending a whole lot less on clothes than the gals. It is a crime what they charge for that stuff and the "need" to have so much of it to mix and match outfits. Yuck! Give me jeans, sneakers and a tee shirt or just old faded sweats anyday.
The recent purge in the downsizing of the house allow us to get rid of a lot of old w*rk clothing and keep only the multi-season stuff for daily living plus a few nice things for going out a few times a year.
I drive DW crazy with keeping stuff for years. I mean, how out of style can you get with tee shirts and jeans?
__________________
Work? I don't have time to work....I'm retired.
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04-06-2008, 01:03 PM
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#140
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Boise
Posts: 7,882
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OK, I just went and checked.
It's $15,000 per year for a membership, but you get unlimited access to the 18 hole (flat, no trees, no water, boring) golf course. That's provided you pay the fee in one lump sum; if you want to split it up into three equal payments of $6,000 you can do that. Then it's $447.50 per month membership dues. And you have to buy at least $150 in food quarterly. That's $20,970 per year, which is approximately 33% more than my baseline retirement budget for everything. Wow. Wow. Wow.
2Cor521
__________________
"At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough, and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may in fact be the first steps of a journey." Violet Baudelaire.
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