One family on "hard times"

[Soulstealer]

Don't look at me. The trip I'm planning for December is to get some things straightened out for my move next year since I'm going abroad. I'll be lucky if I get to go to one museum.

[Evil Queen]

Man... my idea of a vacation is my day off where I can stay home and ignore the phone!

Did they say $130 a WEEK in gas? How is that possible? I spend like $35 every 2-3 weeks. That's pathetic. How do they waste so much gas?

Lets see... five kids, they need after school things to do. Baseball, trips to the roller skating rink, the mall, the playground, the movie theater, trips to friends' houses, the movie rental place, the game store, the grocery store, the bank, all these miles add up. Why can't we have kids play in their own backyards for a change, huh?

My gawds, I bet their insurance for those monster vehicles are sky high too!

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

And these are the best people the reporter could have interviewed for his story?

As opposed to the people who have to choose between buying gas for their vehicles or food? Or rent, electricity, insurance and other bills? I'm sure the reporter could have found some people in that situation.

Shit, these folks making their sacrifices still have it better than most people in the best of times. I'll light a candle for them...not.

[Greenday]

Boo freaking hoo, they can't go on 2-3 vacations a year. I haven't been on a vacation in over five years. I don't see me going on one any time soon.

Did they say $130 a WEEK in gas? How is that possible? I spend like $35 every 2-3 weeks. That's pathetic. How do they waste so much gas?

[mattm04]

OMG, the whining is like a mosquito right by my ear!

They chose to have five kids, buy huge SUVs and she's too busy going to school to get even a part-time job.

According to the Lincoln website, a new Navigator starts at 48K. Assuming that it was bought new that is about 4K a month if tyou wanted to pay it off in 1 year. Something tels me this family NEVER budgeted or thought about anything to do with money.

[wagegoth]

OMG, the whining is like a mosquito right by my ear!

They chose to have five kids, buy huge SUVs and she's too busy going to school to get even a part-time job.

Nope, not a whit of sympathy from me. If things are that bad, get a part-time job, cut back on a couple of classes if you have to, trade those frikkin' gas hogs in today, and shut the hell up!

There are people losing their jobs, their homes, everything, and these people are bitching because they have to spend more money on gas?!

I can feel the hate spreading through my body. Must go relax now.

[Rine]

Wow, I don't have much sympathy for them. In my family, there are also seven people. We used to make it by on 1500 a month. Mind you, we had free medical and housing because we lived on base. We kids got free meals at school. We had one van. We still struggled a lot and didn't have many extras, except we did play softball for two seasons. ($20 per kid).

When we had to move off base, we lived off of around 2000 to 2500. But we still had free medical, so I don't know if it counts. The only time we vacationed was to go see family and we stayed at their house, so there was very little expense involved. It is harder when there's more kids, but they make is sound like they can't afford anything. There are ways, many ways to live comfortably. Like having fishsticks for dinner with mac and cheese. Several times a week. Hand-me down clothing. Does the mom know how to sew? Patch up clothing; it'll be as good as new. Grow your own veggies, like my family did on hard times.

That article is silly.

[crazylegs]

What is this "going on vacation" thing they speak of?

Damned if I know, I haven't had a holiday in two years.

[iradney]

What is this "going on vacation" thing they speak of?

[Listerfiend]

I fail to see how a family being forced to be average is news.

So many things irked me about that article, but something that really sticks out is how someone (the mom?) didn't think about what owning an SUV would entail. She acted like all of a sudden the gas prices made her car get worse mileage, when it's always been bad.

Seriously--why did they do a freaking article on this?!

[Aethian]

I bet anything they are spending more then that on groceries a month since they don't know how to budget.

[Soulstealer]

Good gods these people are spoiled and they're teaching their kids the same thing. No wonder the economy's tough on them, the woman's admited she can't budget. Meanwhile I'm making way less than them and I'm going to be able to afford a trip this december while saving up for my move next year.

Learn some self restraint already, get rid of the frivelous expenses, trade your cars for more efficent ones, and grow up already.

[tropicsgoddess]

"OMG I can't go on vacation anymore, I can't go to the movies, roller rink or get more ice-cream!" Wah,wah wah!"
I make way less than those people do and top top that I ride the bus and my SO's car is on the fritz and we don't have the money to get it fixed and we live in a mobile home...IN FLORIDA!!!! Seriously, a few cutbacks on vacation and outings isn't gonna kill ya, compared to people barely making ends meet and having to choose food over bills or gas and vice versa.

[crazylegs]

Cry me a bloody river, your vehicle does a mere 15mpg, my parents cars do around 50-60mpg, buy a compact (or two, you can get 7 people in two cars) and get over yourself.

[Plaidman]

I cannot afford to eat anything other than Ramen Noodles and Animal Crackers

.... Ramen. So delicious. Wish I could afford it.

I have to eat rocks.