One family on "hard times"

[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.

[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!

[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.

[ReadyToRetire]

I did notice that the article said it was a 99 Navigator. Selling price is less than 10,000 in excellent condition. Not quite the expensive car everyone is making it out to be.

The community in which they live, and the article was written, may be very high-brow, so cutting back like this may be a "hardship" for them.

The husband works 7 freakin days a week <not always, though>.

The fact that they spend $500 a MONTH in groceries for 7 people is utterly amazing.
I spend $200 a month and I live by myself, and still go out to eat <and get free meals when I'm working>.

I dunno, maybe the point of the article was that things are getting so bad, that even people living the good life are starting to feel it.

[Parrothead]

And how can't this woman get a part-time job? I'm a full time student (Full time is 12+ hours, I'm taking 15) and working 30-40 hours a week in a kennel. I have a friend who took her senior year in high school and her freshman year of college at the same time, and she still had time for scouts.

Granted, my fifteen hours is in three classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, so I can work five days a week.

[the_std]

And how can't this woman get a part-time job?

The kids might be her reason.

[Evil Queen]

They're all between the ages of 9 and 16, I think they would be fine unless they're like my EX and are compleatly incompitant. Then it might be a good idea not to let them out in public.

[the_std]

Hey, I never said it was a good reason. But some people will use their children as a reason (or excuse) for anything.

[edible_hat]

A few months ago there was a similar article in my local paper... family with 5 kids, 2 SUVs, single wage earner on double the average weekly income, and complaining about not having to cut back on international travel and being forced to buy a slightly smaller plasma TV than the one they wanted.

2 days later the editorial claimed that they didn't try to make readers feel sympathy for the people in the story, and that all the people who wrote letters about it misinterpreted the story.

The day after that they retracted that editorial.

[powerboy]

And they want me to feel sorry for them. I make 1/2 of what they do and just do a little over ok. But I do drive a small vehicle instead of a gas guzzler. Maybe, just maybe if they sold a vehicle, that they might have some money to help out.

[Sliceanddice]

im sorry really?
I work barely parttime, need a new one, with my sisters. moms, and my job we have about 300 a month for grocerys. Thats paying for a fraud against me, car payments, insurence.rent. and the stuff that cant be helped, gas and repairs.
we are 4 people squished in a less 1000 sg/ft condo.
and god help me if i could ever feel sorry for them.
People liuke that make me wanna call that 30 days guy and make them live the life of someone barely survinvng for as long as possible

[smileyeagle1021]

may I join in the chime of boo fricking hoo... I live with 3 other roommates in a (granted it is 3 bed 2 bath) just over 1100sq ft if you include the patio condo, I only drive to work on the days that I am working so much overtime that I CAN'T take the bus because it doesn't run late enough (or early enough as the case may be)... and the only vacation I have planned is to go to my grandma's interment...

[blas]

Looking back on what I wrote earlier, I will say the ONLY thing I feel bad for them about is that it's kind of impossible to drive a smaller, more fuel efficient vehicle when you have that large of a family.

ALTHOUGH, having said that, there are many more affordable types of vehicles other than Navigators and Silverados. I'm sure they could get a van that gets much better mileage.

[XCashier]

"If I knew what gas was going to do, I would never have gotten the SUV," his wife says with a sigh.

Oh, for heaven's sake! Who doesn't know that gas prices go up and down?! Who doesn't know that oil will eventually run out?! I've known that for decades, and have always driven cars that get at least 25 MPG, if not better.

Rebekka Rice says there's no family budget: "If a family of seven can live on a budget, I wish they'd teach me how!"

Yes, I wish someone would teach them about budgeting.

As for that article...

[tacohuman]

ALTHOUGH, having said that, there are many more affordable types of vehicles other than Navigators and Silverados. I'm sure they could get a van that gets much better mileage.

the problem, though, may be that they are unable to afford a new vehicle without getting rid of what they have, and they may be unable to do so if their area is like mine, where many dealers are outright refusing the trade-in of suvs due to the current glut on the market. private sale is no help either, as people just aren't buying them.