The FashionGrinder Forum

[nate]

Well that's basically it, my dad with all his investments brings in about $7000-$10000 a month my moms is $7000 a month... They never go out, if we fly anywhere we fly space available. We are looking for a house, and they got shocked when I showed them a house paymnts a month. They we shocked because it was more than 10% of total monthly income... And they stated that that's more than they can afford... Is that normal.... I'm trying to find them a car... The most their willing to pay is &250/month for 48 months with $5000 down. They buy walmat brand chips even though they don't like them to keep costs down.... Are thwy taking frugality to the next level.... My mom still drives her 04 ford Taurus even though she bagned it into a tree and the engine makes funny noises now... My dad still drives his 00 sierra even though the engine Is almost dead... Why are they affraid to spend... My parents only have 2 credit cards. On is my moms, which she never uses. The other is my dads, all he uses it for is paying for Internet and cellphone bills... Like I said earlier we fly space available.... I just want them to be happy and to haw a little more luxury in their life... So please help me break their frugality, I have nothing agaisnt it, but it's just too much

[stock]

Your parents are happy, or they would not be making those choices.

I can guarantee you that the majority of individuals who are now homeless and don't have a vehicle (because they spent based on what they were making when they had a job) would do anything to go back in time and be frugal in their spending.

Be grateful you have parents who care for their future and yours.

We are in the economic mess we are in because of people that, unlike your parents, spent more that they could really afford. Lenders extended credit based on gross income instead of the available income (I had a bank telling me I could afford a $40,000 car when in reality I could only afford a $190.00 monthly payment, with $6,000 down... hardly the type of car they said I could have).

I know you are not asking them to go into debt. You just want them to get things that are nicer. But all nicer things come with a higher price tag, and your parents may know more about their finances that they share with you, and, therefore, know how much they can spend on any given item (including cars and a house).

Also, if they are their own boss, they have expenses that people under employers don't have (including but not limited to paying the full 100% social security, and all other taxes, 100% health care - which can run around $25,000 a year for a whole family, based on what I read).

Your parents are not scared of spending. They are cautious because they see the mess society is in due to overspending or spending what you have because you have a good job.

Jobs come and go. They are working today, they may not be working tomorrow. Wouldn't you rather have an old car that runs than purchase a vehicle they could not afford the payment on, should they lose the job? In this last case, you would have no car at all.

Wouldn't you rather have a modest house that you know can be kept even if one of them were to lose employment, than find yourself homeless?

[bogart2]

Sounds like he makes 700.00-1000.00 a month and your mom 700.00 a month.
As long as you have a roof over your head, food to eat and clothes and transportation that is all that matters.
Are you sure he makes 7-10k a month and her 7k a month?
Either they are snorting it all up or they have a fear of being broke and are afraid to spend or are working hard towards early retirement.

[nate]

if ur smart ull shut up and collect the leftover money lol

[peadar]

You're parents sound like one of the more intelligent couples in this country right now. If more people lived like your parents then this country wouldn't be in the mess it is in right now. Don't you know that only truly wealthy people spend thriftily while the wannabes spend beyond their means to impress those around them? It is really such a shame that you haven't picked up a thing or two from your parents. I think you need to mind your own business and stop salivating over your parent's hard earned cash. I'm surprised you aren't more please knowing that there will only be more left over for you after their passing...that is unless they leave it to their dog who probably truly appreciates them for who they are. That would be hilarious.

[avigdor]

Well, we are in recessionary times, maybe your parents just want to be extra careful.
Everybody is feeling the tightness of the recession and are cutting back. My mum has started shopping at a different supermarket and cut way down on tennis lessons, my dad has started working again and we've refrained from using the car when possible. Maybe they don't have as much money as you think and they are just trying to live with what they've got.

If they say they can't afford it, then believe them.