So I made a taboo response today, LOL!
A friend of mine was waxing poetic about life goals and how having a child was something she wanted to accomplish. Trying to be helpful, I explained that having a baby isn't an accomplishment and most women can get pregnant. Now she wants to be a successful parent, so in a way I was really helpful. There was too much stuff going on for me to ask what her definition of a successful parent is. Maybe tomorrow. 
Starting Score: 675
@MattH wrote:
I had to carry a balance at times in the past, am glad that is over. On auto loans, I pretty much avoid that board because I would be tempted to tell people how dumb it is to do things like roll over the balance on an old car loan into a new car loan, which means they drive off the lot already under water. If they get hit by another car, they are gonna owe more than the insurance will pay. For many people a car is a neccessity for getting to work and suchlike. But a new car is never a neccessity. I do wonder how many people replace old cars not becaause a new car is a good idea, but because it's easier to borrow money for a new car than it is to borrow money for repairs on an old car. My 2000 Camry is still in good shape overall, but every year or two needs some sort of major mechanical work done as is typical witb an older car. Lots cheaper per year than a new car, but I have to come up with the cash when needed. New cars are an expensive luxury for those who can afford them, and a financial trap for those who cannot. My wife and I eat out a lot, which we enjoy, but we could stop instantly if we had to. A big car loan is much harder to stop on short notice.
Sad story about my uncle,
Went from having a 2004 Excursion, to a 2005 Dodge Magnum, to a 2006 Chrysler 300 (added 22" rims), to a 2009 Mercedes SLK convertible hard top (all bought new)... His payments were $1,400 when he finally made the decision to turn the car in for repossession 
I just bought a car but if it were to be totaled I'd get a check for 6K after the finance company gets the payoff. Don' try this at home folks I'm a professional 
.
On a side note often times when someone puts themselves in a position of a monthly auto note its usually because they trust the loan with a new car as opposed to a old car and a mechanic. I'm not saying it's right but some garages leave awful taste in customer's mouths and old beaters/ fixer uppers are more taboo (in the minds of some) than paying interest.
@drkaje wrote:So I made a taboo response today, LOL!
A friend of mine was waxing poetic about life goals and how having a child was something she wanted to accomplish. Trying to be helpful, I explained that having a baby isn't an accomplishment and most women can get pregnant. Now she wants to be a successful parent, so in a way I was really helpful. There was too much stuff going on for me to ask what her definition of a successful parent is. Maybe tomorrow.
Not sure how you figure that there is no accomplishment in having a baby. Nine months of good behavior and uber-healthy eating, swelling, and waddling around, followed by untold hours of painful labor and delivery. I truly felt a sense of accomplishment when that process was over and they placed that little bundle in my arms. Just sayin'. It is not the conception that is the accomplishment for most, but rather the pregnancy, and delivery.
@crunching_numbers wrote:
@drkaje wrote:So I made a taboo response today, LOL!
A friend of mine was waxing poetic about life goals and how having a child was something she wanted to accomplish. Trying to be helpful, I explained that having a baby isn't an accomplishment and most women can get pregnant. Now she wants to be a successful parent, so in a way I was really helpful. There was too much stuff going on for me to ask what her definition of a successful parent is. Maybe tomorrow.
Not sure how you figure that there is no accomplishment in having a baby. Nine months of good behavior and uber-healthy eating, swelling, and waddling around, followed by untold hours of painful labor and delivery. I truly felt a sense of accomplishment when that process was over and they placed that little bundle in my arms. Just sayin'. It is not the conception that is the accomplishment for most, but rather the pregnancy, and delivery.
I wouldn't touch this with a pole long enough to include all of HTSU and LS's posts !!!
@crunching_numbers wrote:
@drkaje wrote:So I made a taboo response today, LOL!
A friend of mine was waxing poetic about life goals and how having a child was something she wanted to accomplish. Trying to be helpful, I explained that having a baby isn't an accomplishment and most women can get pregnant. Now she wants to be a successful parent, so in a way I was really helpful. There was too much stuff going on for me to ask what her definition of a successful parent is. Maybe tomorrow.
Not sure how you figure that there is no accomplishment in having a baby. Nine months of good behavior and uber-healthy eating, swelling, and waddling around, followed by untold hours of painful labor and delivery. I truly felt a sense of accomplishment when that process was over and they placed that little bundle in my arms. Just sayin'. It is not the conception that is the accomplishment for most, but rather the pregnancy, and delivery.
People have been having babies a long, long time, Is my point. Having children is something that can be accomplished, I just think it's not a useful way to measure accomplishment. Is someone who has 10 kids 10 times more successful than a person with only one?
My friend is in the middle of finishnig Med school and a nervous wreck. I just found it amusing that she thought popping out a baby would magically fix everything that was wrong with her life.
I haven't made any inappropriate responses today!!
@drkaje wrote:I haven't made any inappropriate responses today!!
Still plenty of time, assuming you are talking about Wednesday since you posted this at 12:49 AM.