I have to remind myself of just that point, especially when it comes to my brother and his family. They've got three kids, the first going to college this fall, so it's good that they'll have their houses (home in NJ and vacation place in FL) paid for by the time they retire, because college expenses are going to be high. That's something I don't have to worry about.

Also, SIL is an extremely frugal person, which is something I'm not and that's my own choice. Also, they have some family money coming in from her side, as well as her brother who is a very successful insurance exec who doesn't have anyone else to spend his money on other than his sisters and their kids, so they have lots of stuff that they wouldn't have had otherwise.

I really shouldn't compare my life to theirs, because there is no comparison--it's apples v. oranges.

I really shouldn't compare my life to theirs, because there is no comparison--it's apples v. oranges.

I'm sure my sister probably thinks that I'm quite the irresponsible screw-up, which is sort-of funny considering that she hasn't had to work since she got married and most everything material that she has is due to her husband. Admittedly, if that wasn't the case, it would probably bug me a lot more. Plus, I'm content with where I am, which, sadly, I don't think she'll ever be.

My sister will probably own a home before I do, although for a moment I might have owned property first. But it's important for her--Jamaica has a lousy rental market, and she currently lives at home. Everyone wants her out, all love intended.

I'm fairly content.

And every time I start feeling like a loser for not owning a house, I go to Flickr and look at my travel photos.

And the feeling goes away!

I'm the only one in my family not to own. But it doesn't bug me. I mean, occasionally I wonder if I might be missing out on a better deal ('cuz who knows what the rental market will be in five years, plus with a mortgage you're building equity) but I don't really feel weird comparing myself to my siblings who own.

every time I start feeling like a loser for not owning a house, I go to Flickr and look at my travel photos

My sister's travel photos blow mine out of the water. Not sure how she manages what she does, since she certainly makes less than...right. I'm the one with the wardrobe busting at the seams and the 42" TV and the granite countertops et al.

Yeah, I like my stuff. But there will be changes. I'm working on that front.

Luckily, while my younger sister owns a home, she lives in a place I have zero desire to live, which has a much much much cheaper housing market. So I know that if I lived there, sure, I'd own a home too! And if she lived where I live she sure wouldn't own a home! So there's no envy, other than the vague "Dang, you can own a home for how much? Sigh...well, I guess I still don't want to live there. Really."

Yeah, it's like when I was in Atlanta a few years ago. I saw 4 bedroom houses for half of what I paid for my apartment.

I'm trying to make changes too, actually. I took a good look at my spending habits and I need to cut my dining costs, pronto. It's easy to do when I eat at home, but my boyfriend has expensive restaurant taste, and we usually split the check. It got very tense last night when the bill came and I suggested that next time I really only wanted to order a glass of wine, and not the entire bottle, as is our (his) habit. He believes I should be saving more money, too, but apparently only when I am out with other people. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Wheat toast:

Meara and Vortex, so TRUE. I live in the Bay Area which is admittedly hell for housing costs. But still, most of my friends managed to buy here.