Do you consider yourself well off?

[Carriesue]

Yes I suppose, my husband makes six figures a year and I'm not able to work right now but it's nice having me here taking care of the dogs(we have four) and the house(which I LOVE to do)...

But even with his salary, in this economy we still rarely take vacations or buy nice things. We're even getting ready to cancel our cable and switch my smart phone plan to a cheaper pre paid phone. In September we had about 20 grand worth of house repairs and emergency stuff happen all in the same month. So now we're scrimping and saving... We don't live paycheck to paycheck so in that regard we are well off and well off in happiness with lots of doggy love and lots of time for all the critters. You'd think we'd have it easy with no kids but nope, money isn't what it used to be.

[Liesje]

No, we are not well off because we didn't have any help getting started (expensive education, buying our own home...) but we have a plan where eventually we will be comfortable. Together we make way under $100K and are two paychecks from ruin, but we both have secure jobs and a manageable (though high) debt load and our area has a lost cost of living. Most of our debt is student debt though (we pay way more per month for student debt than our mortgage, taxes, and home owner's insurance combined), and I'm over halfway through mine. If you took a snapshot of us right now, I would look pretty grim, but based on our "debt snowball" we will be able to refinance and start really paying down the mortgage within the next 5 years or so. I am not 30 years old yet and have really good credit because of my student loans payments (I have never once in my life made a late payment on any loan or CC). We can afford our modest lifestyle. Mainly we don't live above our means. We drive old vehicles, often junkers. The only major issue is if something like a huge medical emergency or major problem with our house came up we don't really have a backup plan, but I have family close by (as in a few blocks away) that would help us out because I've never asked for much help (I've basically been financially independent, living away from home, paying my own way through a very expensive school, since I was 17). Through my job we have health insurance, dental insurance, term life insurance (which we haven't added onto but probably will when we have kids), and retirement funds. The main thing is since we bought our house I feel like we own something. Everyday I come home and love to walk into MY house setup just the way I want it

[zivagirl]

We have a roof over our heads, and live out where the stars aren't erased by artificial lights. We are healthy, as are our pets. We love, we laugh, and we pray. We have been married for almost 30 years.

And although money can get tight (construction), I am one of the wealthiest women I know.

[Sunflowers]

I've always considered myself well-off, because I have always been happy with what I have.

[onyx'girl]

I'm blessed. We have our health, faith and have lived below our means for all of our adult life.
No debt but the house, we have a good work ethic and try to give back as much as possible to those that don't have.
I can't imagine NOT working, I've only taken time off to have kids(3 or 4 weeks) and felt guilty doing so. My DH has been on his own since he was 17 and never was given anything by his parents, except a work ethic! He's worked hard for anything/everything he wanted, because of this, he over indulges our kids, which isn't doing them any favors.

[Gharrissc]

Well we aren't rich,but our business is doing well and it allows us to do the work with the rescue and we have the things that we need,plus a few extras. So I guess we are well off,but it didn't come without a of setbacks as well.

[Gharrissc]

As long as the kids are appreciative of it and don't feel like they are entitled, I think they will be fine.This of course if coming from someone with no kids.

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

He worked hard for it all, because of this, he over indulges our kids, which isn't doing them any favors.

[onyx'girl]

Yes, but they don't seem to have a work ethic, and tend to be lazy. I don't want that for them! My son works/goes to school, but he could be more enthusiastic about it.

[Karma6577]

Originally Posted by doggiedad

you are mega, mega, mega rich.

I wish we were!! I'm frugal and watch everything that comes in this house. We haven't had a vacation in 12 years and I've been pushing for one...we plan to rent an RV and take the dogs out to see the future hopeful home in Montana.


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[TrickyShepherd]

We do fine for ourselves. But well off?

No.

We are 24 and 26 yrs old, both working long hours, own our home in a very nice area, have a new Jeep and Challenger, have plenty of nice things in our home, and our 3 dogs are very well taken care of. They have great food (Acana for the adults and Merrick for the pup), they go to the vets whenever it's needed without question, they have about 40 different toys in this house and more at my family's home, they have nice kennels and equipment... etc etc etc. Some would consider this well off, but we do run into hard times. We still struggle here and there. I wouldn't say we're well off, but we are not suffering like most these days. Outside looking in... probably a different perspective. Depends on who's looking.

To be honest though, before the dogs we were doing very well for ourselves. We were what I would consider pretty well off for our age (without coming from money in the family). Vacations, and nice dinners out were possible. As well as many other "luxury" items and activities. With the three dogs were are not hurting, but we definitely can't go to Charley's steakhouse any more, or Texas de Brazil, or on a long vacation at the Borgota in Atlantic City.... BUT, I come home to 3 dogs that adore us. I have 3 wagging tails to greet me and lots of "hugs and kisses".... To me, that's worth something money can not buy. We struggle at times now... but it's worth it.

We are happy with what we DO have... I think we are blessed.