Originally Posted By RoadTrip I guess I'm somewhere between you guys. I believe in spending my money while I can still enjoy it. But I don't believe in borrowing it. I have no problem with a home mortgage or car loans. I even have a home equity loan, but I won't use it for anything except home improvements. If I'm going to borrow against my equity, by damn I'm going to use that money to increase the value of my home. I'm giving my daughter a full ride through college with savings and current income. I'm not borrowing a cent. She lives on campus and I even pay her a monthly living allowance so she doesn't have to work. As I said, I believe in spending money, but not in borrowing it. Although I'm quite comfortable, I'm sure I don't make a large income compared to many on this board. I went through a very tough five years where I committed to paying off about $25,000 in credit card debt. I did it, and vowed to never get in debt like that again. Now I have far more money to spend on what I want than I ever did when I was in debt. Just my experience... your experience may be different.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 RT-- to a point I agree -- everyone has to know their means and their life standard to the point that you don't try and live a champagne lifestyle on a Budweiser income.......it think the concern was more over those who make big bucks and eat mac and cheese for 40 years to ensure they are saving for their retirement....like anyone is guaranteed making it there. You have to enjoy every day - tomorrow is guaranteed to no one -- rich or poor, with money in the bank or in debt.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 But I will take in debt and alive over rich and dead any day -LOL "I'd rather die while I'm livin', than live while I'm dead " --Jimmy Buffett
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m RoadTrip, it's great that you can pay for your daughter's education and spending money while in college with cash. But many of us are not in the same boat (ok, I'm speaking for myself). I do not borrow foolishly. I've never had more than $5,000 or so in credit card debt. I don't think paying cash for college is a good example to use. Now if you said that you won't put your next trip to WDW, or the Caribbean, or wherever on a credit card, that is logic I can follow. If Tyler was 18 right now, I could probably pay for the first year of college before I'd have to take out loans with my employer (Sallie Mae) LOL. But right now I have my heart set at cashing my stock options at a certain price, and once that's done I want to begin Real Estate investing.... But I'm off track. I guess now that you guys have pointed it out, my Gram may be living the way she does because of things she has experienced in the past. But I guess that people of my generation (X), and even the baby boomers have a different mindset for the most part.
Originally Posted By teri We went to Magic Kingdom for a couple of hours Friday (just me and my son) and then again last night (the whole family.) It was the first time we had been since the hurricane. The debris may be picked up, but we were shocked how many trees were gone. From the train, as you go around the back side of Fantasyland you can now see the backs of the show buildings in the park, and you can see the maintenance buildings outside the berm. The parking lots were practically empty, but the walkways were crowded and they were shutting down the quieter areas much earlier than usual for a summer weekend. I hate it when they do that - you can't enjoy a quieter time in the park when they they are so busy trying to maintain the appearance of having a large crowd. The park is suffering the economic effects of Charley as much as the wind damage. And we have more weather coming. I have to admit I get a bit peeved when I read reports on fan sites that there really wasn't much damage. It is an illusion. Honestly, if you go five to ten miles southeast, the damage was awful. It will be months before all those homes and businesses are repaired. They just finished getting power back on for everyone in Kissimmee, just last night. One can still come here and have a terrific time, no doubt. But make no mistake, this hit Orlando, and Osceola and Polk counties very hard.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<I have to admit I get a bit peeved when I read reports on fan sites that there really wasn't much damage. It is an illusion. Honestly, if you go five to ten miles southeast, the damage was awful. It will be months before all those homes and businesses are repaired. They just finished getting power back on for everyone in Kissimmee, just last night. One can still come here and have a terrific time, no doubt. But make no mistake, this hit Orlando, and Osceola and Polk counties very hard.<< I can understand how you would be peeved -- some things will be cleaned up in weeks -- some months - other items will take years to replace , if ever....and some people's lives were changed forever.....my heart goes out to everyone in the area, and I would never take something like that lightly. I am sure most meant no harm, they were just happy like me that WDW didn't take a direct hit....it's easy to overlook the devastation when you are not personally involved. I have a close friend that lost a home to the storm ( had to be torn down) - and although fortunately they have insurance -- they lost many things that cannot be replaced by money..including a feeling of safety and security.
Originally Posted By WDW1974 ^^^Let's all just hope that Frances stays away from Florida -- and the rest of the East coast of te USA -- because it is another monster storm and it'll be in our neighborhood by Saturday.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I don't think paying cash for college is a good example to use.>> I was not using that as an example of not borrowing money. I know most people do use student loans to finance college. That in fact is what I did. I used it as an example of my willingness to spend money. I would never question someone borrowing money to go to college. Going to college pays you back many times over.
Originally Posted By imtigger2 I was watching the MTV Music Video Awards last night, it's in Miami. Anyone see it? Usher pulls up in this HUGE yacht, I mean some BIG money was put into this thing. Then he comes off in a white suit with all his bling, smokin' a slim cigar. Kinda made me ill with how much money he has. However... one of the first things he mentions after talking about how beautiful Miami is, is how he feels for all the people affected by the hurricane and that he's going to donate part of the proceeds from the sale of an album of his to the victims of the hurricane. Now before 'some' of you jump all over that with "how much" and "oh yea, "part" of the proceeds" etc... at least he mentioned it, got the millions watching the show thinking about it, and it seems he does care. Personally, I don't care for his music, but he is THE BEST dancer I've seen since Michael Jackson reigned. Peace and love all! Dan Bejma imtigger Carlsbad, CA
Originally Posted By Crazy4WDW imtigger2 - I don't mean to nit pick . . . but don't you mean P. Diddy?
Originally Posted By imtigger2 Are you kidding? Diddy don't dance! He hires people to do it FOR him. No, I'm sure, it was Usher. Here's the link to the VMA's gallery, ( <a href="http://http://www.mtv.com/onair/vma/2004/post_show/index.jhtml?a=gallery" target="_blank">http://http://www.mtv.com/onai r/vma/2004/post_show/index.jhtml?a=gallery</a> )in the top middle, click on "red carpet fashion" and Usher is the first you'll see with his large, Silver yacht. He was the first one in with his boat. Thanks, Dan Bejma imtigger Carlsbad, CA
Originally Posted By imtigger2 oops... too many http's there. Try this: www.mtv.com/onair/vma/2004/post_show/index.jhtml?a=gallery
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Now I am not a fan -- but my college daughter is for sure.....and I saw Usher dance on the last Jackson 5 special ..he is very good and can actually sing.. this is not a thug rapper here.. it's a guy I think could have made it as a Motown singer in the day if he was in that era..........kind of my yardstick...... He seems like a standup guy -- don;t know if he is from Florida or not....but that is a class thing to do, regardless of what $$ amount he actually sends........... I am the first guy in line to trash some of the human garbage parading around as stars these days..music or hollywood.....but I also give credit where credit is due--I haven;t seen the show yet but will watch when it is covered on NW TV in rerun. And he is not from Florida, but rather born in Chattanooga TN and lived in Altanta -- so even more credit. As a sidelight - P Diddy produced his first album-- P Diddy more a behind the scenes guy than performer....that is why he has mucho bling.....
Originally Posted By disney pete usher was making a music video by the fountains in epcot when we were there in may.
Originally Posted By beamerdog The tail end of Gaston came through Delaware last night. How do I know? My DH called from work before dinner and said, there's a flood in the office. All the ceiling panels in the front have come down, water is gushing in, everything is wet, and water is pouring down the steps. When DS and I arrived to take care of the equipment and files, we had to walk thru a waterfall coming from the second floor. My husband just called; ServePro had come in last night, removed all the ceiling panels, moldings on the floor, wet vacced the carpets, put the furniture on blocks and did a general cleanup of the debris that had fallen through the roof. Ah, so much fun :-x
Originally Posted By imtigger2 Ouch! That's gotta hurt!!... and suck. Sorry to hear that. I hope you did computer backups! For my company, I do my backups to a portable HDD, then disconnect it and it's stored in a fireproof/waterproof "media" safe. Just in case of things like that. Or in my case (since I'm in Southern California), fire. :| Hope it all dries out!
Originally Posted By jmuboy I have family in Richmond, VA and that city was waterlogged due to flooding rains from Gaston. Cars washing down the streets in downtown and people trapped on upper levels of buildings due to rapidly rising flood waters.
Originally Posted By WDW1974 I hope none of you are planning on spending Labor Day weekend at WDW ...or anywhere in south or central Fla ...(and will one of you come and help me put on my hurricane shutters, please?!)
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<I hope none of you are planning on spending Labor Day weekend at WDW ...or anywhere in south or central Fla ...(and will one of you come and help me put on my hurricane shutters, please?!)<< Man I can't believe more is headed your way -- I hope it turns north and out to sea very quickly ---- hang in there... Whenmy oldest was early grade school age ( a long time ago) - we used to take her out of school and go at labor day all the time- kids were backin school and crowds were very manageable. --I know it was hurricane season but we never got caught by any of it -- this year shaping up to be bad -- to quote the immortal Stooges, " duck, dodge & hide"
