Replies to '09/15 Money Matters: Surviving the Crisis'

Hi Tricia

I just want to clarify something because I have an earlier post on this board where I seem unsympathtetic to people with financial difficulties.  In my post I am referring to people who have problems because they behaved irresponsibly financially. I am not referring to people such as you who are in difficulty due to circumstances beyond your control.  I do wish you and your husband the best of luck in working things out.

Like you, I too am surprised at people who (very fortunately) got a home makeover and then proceeded to behave irresponsibly with money  and got themselves into a mess.  These are exactly the types of people I was referring to in my original post, and I can't muster up any sympathy for them.  It is the type of person who wants instant gratification and who will not put a dime into savings that I don't feel sorry for.  The person who buys things to show off, and then does not have the money to pay off the credit card bills when they come rolling in. And the type of person who spends and spends and then goes running to Mommy and Daddy to bail him or herself out, well into middle age. (Those parents who give these kids money are enablers by the way)

It is the frivolous, show-offy spender that needs immediate gratification and doesn't have the money to back their purchases that I have no respect for.  These people ultimately cost people like me ( who has always behaved responsibly financially) money when they can't pay their bills.