Why do poor people always rationalize why they don't have things outside their means?

[alkemyst]

I don't get it.

Usually they talk about how eating out is such a waste of money considering the food is utter crap (not sure where they have been but they always seem to have some story of a $100/plate meal ending poorly).

That they actually prefer their $5k car over anything new out of any automaker.

They wouldn't want a larger house because then it would be 'uncomfortable' (not acknowledging a better home even the same size as what they have).

That they prefer watching movies on their $300 home theatre in a box over even IMAX because it's more realistic at home (HT can be better at home, but not with a box system usually).

It's not like you asked them to volunteer this, but they always seem to want to provide it.

Yeah you can make store sauce and pasta at home for like $1, but going out means I don't have to clean, take the time to cook and I will be out doing something rather than sitting home.

 

[GoingUp]

Maybe they're just satisfied with their life.

 

[Itchrelief]

So you're saying it's better that they lease a luxury car that's obviously outside their means and eat out at $100 a plate restaurants every night?

Your last sentence is in the same vein as what you're complaining about.

 

[mfs378]

What do you expect, people to acknowledge that they want things they will never have? When they don't it actually upsets you?

 

[MrPickins]

Your post makes you sound pretentious.

 

[Throckmorton]

Why would I want a $50,000 car? I don't need a house bigger than my current apartment, but I'd love a nice wooded location, or an urban pedestrian friendly neighborhood with gridded streets.

 

[Oceandevi]

I don't worry about things like this.

 

[se7en]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
Yeah you can make store sauce and pasta at home for like $1, but going out means I don't have to clean, take the time to cook and I will be out doing something rather than sitting home.

1.) My sauce is better than most places.
2.) There are magic time devices called dishwashers
3.) I like to cook
4.) If I cook and stay home I still get to see my wife in her tshirt and panties. She wears clothes out in public.

We didn't ask for your opinion yet you posted it. How is that any different?

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I don't get it.

Usually they talk about how eating out is such a waste of money considering the food is utter crap (not sure where they have been but they always seem to have some story of a $100/plate meal ending poorly).

That they actually prefer their $5k car over anything new out of any automaker.

They wouldn't want a larger house because then it would be 'uncomfortable' (not acknowledging a better home even the same size as what they have).

That they prefer watching movies on their $300 home theatre in a box over even IMAX because it's more realistic at home (HT can be better at home, but not with a box system usually).

It's not like you asked them to volunteer this, but they always seem to want to provide it.

Yeah you can make store sauce and pasta at home for like $1, but going out means I don't have to clean, take the time to cook and I will be out doing something rather than sitting home.

eating out is a waste of money. i can make a better dinner far cheaper. I also enjoy cooking (hate cleaning). Saying that we do go out for a nice dinner at least once a week. not because its better but because its nice to be waited on.

Same with buying a used car. sure i can afford a new car but why? when i can i buy a 1-2 year old car for a lot less.

same with the house. we have a 2k sq/ft house with a 1k sq/ft finished basemnet. can we afford something bigger? sure. but we don't need it.

I do enjoy watching movies at home more then the theatre. i don't have to put up with the idiots in the place or the people getting up.

as for the pasta? pft i don't care. i don't care for pasta heh.

 

[mwmorph]

What;s wrong with being happy with your life and happy with what you have? If youve ever read any Buddhist teachings, Suffering comes from desire and ignorance.

To be free from desire is to be happy. I dont get how you're so materialistic.

I like my "cheap" car because it's less of a strain on my bank account in matainence, financing and it's fun to drive.

I like my crappy living conditions because of the people I live with, and moving to a big house would put an end to that.

I prefer watching movies at home because with the annoying children, awkward teen couples fondling each other and overpriced food, its a better choice at home.

And yes eating out is a waste of money and should only be done occasionally, it's called responsible finances, as in "I prefer to eat at home, not having to declare bankruptcy because i'm a idiot that eats $100 per person meals is pretty cool"

 

[Lord Bilz]

Maybe they just buy into the far right ideology that income taxes are punitive, not progressive, and purposely make less money so they can end up with more net income in the long run. It'd probably be easy to be happy if you're too stupid to know any better.

 

[Boztech]

Originally posted by: waggy
ok. you are a idiot.

oh, the ironing

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I don't get it.

Usually they talk about how eating out is such a waste of money considering the food is utter crap (not sure where they have been but they always seem to have some story of a $100/plate meal ending poorly).

That they actually prefer their $5k car over anything new out of any automaker.

They wouldn't want a larger house because then it would be 'uncomfortable' (not acknowledging a better home even the same size as what they have).

That they prefer watching movies on their $300 home theatre in a box over even IMAX because it's more realistic at home (HT can be better at home, but not with a box system usually).

It's not like you asked them to volunteer this, but they always seem to want to provide it.

Yeah you can make store sauce and pasta at home for like $1, but going out means I don't have to clean, take the time to cook and I will be out doing something rather than sitting home.

I don't think I've ever said those things,

But I love my $2500 1972 VW and will probably keep it for the rest of my life if I can manage. Same goes for the $500 motorcycle I bought, it needs some fixing up but I think Ill hang on to it and do as good of a restore as I can.

Larger house = more to clean, but I could go a little larger than this rental.

I'm running a 27 inch hand me down, but I don't watch much tv so I'm happy with it. I'd feel akward having a $5000 setup that I watched rarely. I'd also seriously be uncomfortable with having it in my house, it's just too much.

Also, slow food movement, cook at home ftw. But I do go out for good gumbo and sushi and convenience sometimes.


I mean there has to be a point where you stop buying more stuff that you don't need. Some people get there faster than others.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I don't get it.

Usually they talk about how eating out is such a waste of money considering the food is utter crap (not sure where they have been but they always seem to have some story of a $100/plate meal ending poorly).

That they actually prefer their $5k car over anything new out of any automaker.

They wouldn't want a larger house because then it would be 'uncomfortable' (not acknowledging a better home even the same size as what they have).

That they prefer watching movies on their $300 home theatre in a box over even IMAX because it's more realistic at home (HT can be better at home, but not with a box system usually).

It's not like you asked them to volunteer this, but they always seem to want to provide it.

Yeah you can make store sauce and pasta at home for like $1, but going out means I don't have to clean, take the time to cook and I will be out doing something rather than sitting home.

I don't think I've ever said those things,

But I love my $2500 1972 VW and will probably keep it for the rest of my life if I can manage. Same goes for the $500 motorcycle I bought, it needs some fixing up but I think Ill hang on to it and do as good of a restore as I can.

Larger house = more to clean, but I could go a little larger than this rental.

I'm running a 27 inch hand me down, but I don't watch much tv so I'm happy with it. I'd feel akward having a $5000 setup that I watched rarely. I'd also seriously be uncomfortable with having it in my house, it's just too much.

Also, slow food movement, cook at home ftw. But I do go out for good gumbo and sushi and convenience sometimes.


I mean there has to be a point where you stop buying more stuff that you don't need. Some people get there faster than others.

exactly.

you don't need the best of everything ot be happy. I have no desire to have a new car or a expensive one.

same with my house. I did the 3k+sqft gig. sure its nice having a big house. but we had so much wasted space it was silly. the house we have now is perfect. though wish we did go with a 3 car garage.

For yers i thought it was silly tha tpeople would buy 3-4 car garages. heh now that i have kids i understand it.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I don't get it.

Usually they talk about how eating out is such a waste of money considering the food is utter crap (not sure where they have been but they always seem to have some story of a $100/plate meal ending poorly).

That they actually prefer their $5k car over anything new out of any automaker.

They wouldn't want a larger house because then it would be 'uncomfortable' (not acknowledging a better home even the same size as what they have).

That they prefer watching movies on their $300 home theatre in a box over even IMAX because it's more realistic at home (HT can be better at home, but not with a box system usually).

It's not like you asked them to volunteer this, but they always seem to want to provide it.

Yeah you can make store sauce and pasta at home for like $1, but going out means I don't have to clean, take the time to cook and I will be out doing something rather than sitting home.

I don't think I've ever said those things,

But I love my $2500 1972 VW and will probably keep it for the rest of my life if I can manage. Same goes for the $500 motorcycle I bought, it needs some fixing up but I think Ill hang on to it and do as good of a restore as I can.

Larger house = more to clean, but I could go a little larger than this rental.

I'm running a 27 inch hand me down, but I don't watch much tv so I'm happy with it. I'd feel akward having a $5000 setup that I watched rarely. I'd also seriously be uncomfortable with having it in my house, it's just too much.

Also, slow food movement, cook at home ftw. But I do go out for good gumbo and sushi and convenience sometimes.


I mean there has to be a point where you stop buying more stuff that you don't need. Some people get there faster than others.

exactly.

you don't need the best of everything ot be happy. I have no desire to have a new car or a expensive one.

same with my house. I did the 3k+sqft gig. sure its nice having a big house. but we had so much wasted space it was silly. the house we have now is perfect. though wish we did go with a 3 car garage.

For yers i thought it was silly tha tpeople would buy 3-4 car garages. heh now that i have kids i understand it.

I could do with a bigger garage as well. Now that all of the kids are moved out, my dad is constantly talking about finding a 1000 sq ft house with a 3000 sq ft garage.

 

[cardiac]

Gotta agree with Waggy and a few of the others.

I'm a paramedic/firefighter (26 years now), and of course, we don't make squat. I work 2 jobs just to grind out $50k a year. My wife is unable to work, so she takes care of our 2 boys.

Twice a month we go out to a nice dinner. The rest of the time, I prefer my cooking or my wifes. I take my lunch and dinner with me to the fire station.

I drive a 1996 Ford van. The wife has a 1998 Dodge Stratus. I could by a new vehicle, but these run and ride just fine. I might buy something newer next year because my van is pushing 200k miles.

We have a 32" TV and a "Box" home entertainment system. I can't curl up on the couch with mama and the boys and watch a good movie at "Imax". Or throw the blankets on the floor and all lay there together.....

We don't live outside our means. How many on here (Or anywhere), have a ton of credit card debt? Don't own their own home? Have any money in savings? I almost have our house paid off and have 6 figures in investments, and retirement will be SWEET! We also contribute quite a bit to our church regularly......

Bob

 

[imported_Baloo]

WTF, you are basically asking why to poor people live within their means, rather than buying luxery items, building debt until thay can no longer sustain it and declare bankrupcy. It is not rationalizing to say one lives within their mean,

This is just Stupid what the OP is saying, I call SHENS.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
Maybe they're just satisfied with their life.

Well I would hope so the amount of work they do to justify it, but I doubt it.

 

[cKGunslinger]

:roll:

I make almost 2x what I was making a few years ago, and I started buy "less" expensive things since then. I place greater importance on value, rather than price or "keeping up appearances."

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: mfs378
What do you expect, people to acknowledge that they want things they will never have? When they don't it actually upsets you?

Doesn't upset me really...just things I don't need to hear. I don't have anything against poor people, I am not anywhere near wealthy in my opinion. However I think we all have had friends that just go on and on about how they are so happy with/doing/getting nothing.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I don't get it.

Usually they talk about how eating out is such a waste of money considering the food is utter crap (not sure where they have been but they always seem to have some story of a $100/plate meal ending poorly).

That they actually prefer their $5k car over anything new out of any automaker.

They wouldn't want a larger house because then it would be 'uncomfortable' (not acknowledging a better home even the same size as what they have).

That they prefer watching movies on their $300 home theatre in a box over even IMAX because it's more realistic at home (HT can be better at home, but not with a box system usually).

It's not like you asked them to volunteer this, but they always seem to want to provide it.

Yeah you can make store sauce and pasta at home for like $1, but going out means I don't have to clean, take the time to cook and I will be out doing something rather than sitting home.

ok. you are a idiot.

eating out is a waste of money. i can make a better dinner far cheaper. I also enjoy cooking (hate cleaning). Saying that we do go out for a nice dinner at least once a week. not because its better but because its nice to be waited on.

Same with buying a used car. sure i can afford a new car but why? when i can i buy a 1-2 year old car for a lot less.

same with the house. we have a 2k sq/ft house with a 1k sq/ft finished basemnet. can we afford something bigger? sure. but we don't need it.

I do enjoy watching movies at home more then the theatre. i don't have to put up with the idiots in the place or the people getting up.

as for the pasta? pft i don't care. i don't care for pasta heh.

You missed my point...I never questioned eating in was cheaper, a home theatre couldn't rival going to one, a 1 to 2 year old car. I also specifically stated keeping the same size house yet in a better area/neighborhood.

Do you read or is it the meds?

Anyway, this thread went over most of your heads, you are probably the 'ones' your friends feel this way about.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: mfs378
What do you expect, people to acknowledge that they want things they will never have? When they don't it actually upsets you?

Doesn't upset me really...just things I don't need to hear. I don't have anything against poor people, I am not anywhere near wealthy in my opinion. However I think we all have had friends that just go on and on about how they are so happy with/doing/getting nothing.

and some poeple are.

i know one guy who makes around $300k a year. but you wouldnt know that with how he lives.

he has a nice small house, a 7 yr old accord, the only really nice thing he has a stero system.


he does not buy name brand clothes etc.

if you seen him you would think he makes like $50k a year.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: waggy

and some poeple are.

Right most people are it seems.

This topic was not about those people...everyone is attacking side issues.

It's about the person that over-rationalizes why they don't have these things when it's out of their ballpark anyway.

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: waggy

and some poeple are.

Right most people are it seems.

This topic was not about those people...everyone is attacking side issues.

It's about the person that over-rationalizes why they don't have these things when it's out of their ballpark anyway.

I said it before, I don't run into those people I don't usually talk about "things" with other poeple, unless it's how my vehicles have found a way to break down again.

It sounds like you have people of fewer means come to you constantly and tell you how much better their ford tempo is than your corvette. It just doesn't seem likely/rational.

Perhaps give us some examples/scenarios?

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: waggy

and some poeple are.

Right most people are it seems.

This topic was not about those people...everyone is attacking side issues.

It's about the person that over-rationalizes why they don't have these things when it's out of their ballpark anyway.

It's a self-defense mechanism, part of being a human being. You should try the latter sometime.