SusanofO -> RE: Money. (7/9/2006 2:59:00 AM)
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Great comments Padriag. It matters to me if someone else is financially responsible. If someone started to: Drink away much household money, gambled away much household money, spend it like a drunken sailor, or just didn't pay bills on time, it would really, really upset me. It might sound strange - but I have no desire to be in control of the finances. I absolutely detest handling money or making financial decisions; my husband did all of that (he didn't mind). I can do it, I just hate it though, really. Which might be weird for a Business major in college to say, but I just don't like doing it. I am very much happy to let someone else do that. Which is why I'd need to trust them - a lot. I don't want to live in a cardboard box, either. I truly don't care if I ever see the inside of Beverly Hills as a resident - I am not aspiring to that. If I fell in love with a millionaire, I certainly wouldn't reject their money, either. I would not leave someone if they fell on "hard times", I'd like to think. But I'd hope it wasn't caused by just tossing money out the window or being really stupid with it (then I might be tempted to, I guess). In my twenties, fresh out of college, I moved to live in Chicago where I had a great job and no dependents and every credit card company on the planet mailed me their card, it seemed. I took them all, and spent the next 5 years getting out of debt - it seemed to be like trying to dig through a mountain with a teaspoon - but I did it. The only thing I ended up having to show for it was a terrific wardrobe (Chicago was shopping heaven) and a nice apartment full of furniture (which I did use for quite a while afterward). Other than that - nothing. It was stupid (but not that uncommon, probably). I worked hard to get a stellar credit rating (and my husband helped, but I did, too) and today have only one American Express card, a Sears card and a gas company card (for car fuel). Everything else I pay by check or cash - and that has been the way I've done it since my late twenties. Even when I had jobs that paid moderate salaries, I've always tried to save 10% at least - and have to say that not owing anybody else money can bring a whole new and wonderful perspective on life. Managing money can be a tough nut for some to crack; and credit card companies don't care about you - they want your money - well, it's not theirs, it's yours. I know credit cards come in handy (I still have three), but I learned the hard way that they can be dangerous and I am never going "back there". I am not against people using credit; if they need to do it, or it's more convenient, I understand that. For me, at one time, it was so easy to just say: "Charge it". Today I really think over whether I need something for about 24 hours before I buy it. I also don't buy much (I have way more than enough "stuff"). Sometimes, when people are just starting out, or for emergencies, or even once in a while for some little luxury, I think using credit is fine. But I know what I've done has worked (for me) for a long time. - Susan
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