I got a chance to hang out with a couple of friends, one of which I have not seen for a long, long time! It was great to catch up on old times and see how they're doing.
This old friend I haven't seen for a while is a great guy. Really great guy. He's also probably going to be married to his long-time girlfriend, but they haven't made it official yet.
In any case, we were talking about money and he said, "A wise man once said, 'You can't live forever! In fact, you could get hit by a bus and die the very next day! And when you die, you can't take it with you!' So, I say we live it up while we still can. Heck, I'm going to drill into huge debt when I die, because they can't do anything to me after that!"
Palm, meet forehead.
My other friend, who knows me better and probably saw me squirm, diplomatically interjected, "Well, I think there's probably a balance in there somewhere. You know, because you need some money, even though pinching every penny would just be ridiculous."
Although I couldn't bite my tongue, I decided to ride the "diplomatically balanced" bus. I added, "Yeah, I think so too. I mean, I'd like to have a nice little house some day. My car is also breaking down, and I'd like to get a decent replacement. Some day, I would also love to retire and be able to kick up my feet. And you know, all these things require that we save up... something. But yeah, after that, I don't need a yacht or anything, although if I do, you're all invited. 
"
Now, unlike other friends and circumstances, this particular friend didn't really concern me with what he said, because in that same conversation, he also said something interesting:
His girlfriend/fiance works as an assistant accountant or something like that, and since she's also the um... "dominant personality" in the relationship, she's making him work and pay off all of his debt anyways, but promising even better things in the future, including marriage, if he accomplishes this.
In fact, he was even bragging how he just turned debt-free and has $5000 cash in the bank! I couldn't applaud and praise him enough for that.
But he did repeatedly say that he just doesn't get why she is so uptight about money. I suspect that's going to be a sore spot for them as they move further along in their relationship. But oh well, what else is new right?
As for me, there is NO WAY I'll ever put up with anyone who doesn't have some financial sense again. But what can I say? That's my hang up now.
Hanging out with friends
October 20th, 2009 at 09:53 pm
October 20th, 2009 at 10:03 pm 1256072607
Not really, but she sounds like a catch.
October 20th, 2009 at 10:06 pm 1256072782
October 21st, 2009 at 02:36 am 1256088992
An Army buddy of my grandpa saw a photo of my grandma and asked if there was another one at home like her ...
Grandpa replied "Well, as a matter of fact, there is."
And that guy ended up marrying my grandma's twin and they are still married after almost 60 years!
October 21st, 2009 at 05:34 am 1256099697
Also, guys, avoid counting on genetics. When my sister gives me unopened farmette invoices and checks in a paper grocery bag for me to sort through, it implies that any money management gene is recessive.
October 21st, 2009 at 01:10 pm 1256127014
"But he did repeatedly say that he just doesn't get why she is so uptight about money. I suspect that's going to be a sore spot for them as they move further along in their relationship. "
If people only REALLY knew this kind of stuff while dating. . . it could save them a lot of heartache down the road.
October 22nd, 2009 at 01:36 am 1256171764