Yeah, that's true, Betsy. It factors in a lot of things, where we pay high dollar to avoid the embarassment factor.

Oh, and also, since I write our paychecks, I do see the employee/employer taxes going to SS, and I consider it my civic duty to complain aloud every time. It's a lot of cash. OTOH, we paid pennies in federal tax, thus the large payment this year, but this is good because it means that we, not the federal goverment had interest-making rights to that jack.

What else? Oh, flyover states. Yeah, when we were making our top salary, we were also living in a one-bedroom loft apartment uptown, paying $485 for the privilege (including $50 for the month-to-month). Our living expenses in Wichita were ridiculously low, and I came to realize that I'd never ever have that disparity so far in my favor again, and anywhere I moved, I'd be making less and paying more.

That was when we paid off the debts, all but one last school bill of the SO's that we should finish next month.

What's a month-to-month?

I'm salty New England, Cindy, and my parents definately have the "don't discuss money" issues. But it's something that causes me to worry and sometimes panic, and occassionally, my lack of it makes me feel like a failure.

There's something really comforting in knowing most people are in the same boat, and it does lose its power when you discuss it.

Month to month contract - no lease, so we could just give notice and leave whenever we needed to. We knew that we were going to be moving out here soon, just didn't know when, so it was worth it to us to pay that extra to be flexible.

I knew you were in CA, and I think I knew you were from back east, somewhere, because I think you made a comment when Nilly was visiting, about wishing she'd get to see some of the lush greeness of it. I'd forgotten or not known you were a New Englander, though. I am not from Maine (have always lived within ~25 miles of where I live now, even in college), but Lilty's friend's comment didn't surprise me. I wouldn't have said it, but I would have thought it.

I pay $800 for 400 square feet, which I often think is robbery. I just think that should be a one bedroom, and not a box.

Yeah, it just doesn't scale. My $400 box is two-thirds the rent of my $600 apartment, but it's only one-quarter the size. (I have 273 square feet. I really like it, though.)

And we know your dog's name, too, Liese. We're onta ya.

I ain't telling you people how much I make. It's less than I could make if I played more monkey-grooming games, yet more than I sometimes think I'm worth. I have much too much debt, though.

But I will tell you that we pay $869 for our smallish 2-bd duplexed house with fenced backyard and half a garage and that is a steal. We can't move.

If you do straw bale, I totally want to come out and help you because I want to learn how this is done. I'm fascinated by it. Or in other words, I'd be free labor.

Liese (and Kat), my parents have a straw bale house in New Mexico. It is absolutely beautiful and was pretty economic. If you ever have any questions, I'd be happy to pass them on.

The most frustrating thing about our financial lives at the moment is my incredible student loan debt. I think it works out like this:

Income: 97K (at the moment, but it increases a lot when Joe is deployed)
Mortgage: ~1200 per month
Debt: Holy crap - including the cars, the house, and my student loans, at least over $350K. If you take out the secured debt (house & cars), more like $100K.

DH is loves to pick up the check all the time. It has caused huge problems because we can't always afford it and it is eventually insulting to people. I have tried to explain this to him but he just doesn't get it.

It's sort of cathartic to put those numbers out there.

I'm salty New England, Cindy, and my parents definately have the "don't discuss money" issues. But it's something that causes me to worry and sometimes panic, and occassionally, my lack of it makes me feel like a failure.

There's something really comforting in knowing most people are in the same boat, and it does lose its power when you discuss it.

Yes. I completely agree. I've made a few Gee-we're-broke posts, lately, because gee, we're broke. I was holding my breath 'til pay day with no money and not having grocery shopped in two weeks.

For me, it is just seeing the numbers--they're making me black out (except yours which I'm going to see flashing over your posts, for the rest of my life. Probably in red).

The money talk is pushing my anxiety buttons, but that's just because the new mortgage--coupled with the idea of doubling our day care payments--is making me anxious.

Anyway, I came by to tell everyone that yesterday my MiL brought my daughter a new outfit. There was a cute little hat and a pair of orange pants with a sock monkey pattern on it.

Yes, my daughter now owns a pair of MONKEY PANTS!

I am so excited! I will definitely have to post pictures.