Money and Happiness

[PKTrekGirl]

Miss Chicken,

I have to say - with times as hard as they are, you might quickly become one of the most popular people on this board! You are a veteran when it comes to living on limited funds, and I recon alot of people will be interested in your accumulated wisdom.

Personally, I'm hoping you post a few more cheap recipes!

I am well-employed for the moment, but that could change at any time (work for IBM, which has laid off over 35,000 so far in the past few months with more expected) and given the economic climate, I have decided to operate under the assumption that I WILL eventually get laid off. And with prices having gone up so much without any wage increases, alot of people (myself included, but it sounds like the OP is certainly feeling it as well) are having to spend more for just the basics. Despite the fact that I now watch prices better than I used to, my grocery bill alone has gone up about 20% in the past 12 - 15 months thanks to higher prices. Utilites have gone up too, as a result of the gasoline gouging that was going on...and they haven't come down, even once gas prices went down some. So where we are, having to spend more and more of the same paycheck on food & utilities. And less on 'extras'.

If we can learn how to save money here and there from folks like you, I think alot of us would be better off.

I think it takes developing a new mindset. But actually, for me in some ways it's a challenge. Learning how to cook and bake things from scratch, for example - alot more effort than buying store-bought baked goods, soups, meats & main courses, etc, but so what if I watch a little less TV, right? I've always wanted to become a better cook - now is the time to do it!

 

[kimc]

I know it's an old saying, but money does'nt buy happiness.

Case in point: Me.
On Wednesday, I was whining about how much my portfolio dropped. Yesterday, my brother died. Guess which one bums me out more? On the other hand, because my brother had money, he was able to go out in the style he wanted.

I'm really sorry about your brother.

I think you bring up a good point here. Money can shield you from the stress of not having the necessities of life but happiness comes from the people in our lives.

 

[Jetfire]

3 things make me happy...Watching Rita Hayworth movies, listening to Tori Amos and anything Superman related(Comics, tv shows, movies, toys...etc).

3 things make me unhappy...Going to a job I hate and living paycheck to paycheck...if that, having to pray that the old car I drive doesn't breakdown on the way to the job I hate for little money...Not living a my grandparents home with my parents that is falling apart and is pretty much a hole. I just need the three things that make me unhappy to change and I'll be content. I try saving money...doesn't work with out suffering alot and even the it isn't enough. I mean like $500,000 could keep me going for the rest of my life. People I know, live in homes that cost that much. I know I should be greatful for what I have and be thankful to be alive...but I'm not. As far as the people in our lives making me happy...I don't think so people I work with are horrible, superficial and selfcentered and family...they are a trainwreck. I wanna be alone and enjoy the little things that make me happy without the added dread of the things that make me want to scream.

I guess no one here understands this.


JF

 

[Alpha Romeo]

What are people with disabilities meant to do, in your opinion? Lay in bed all day?

My post count is about 6 posts a day, hardly a high number.

I have bad arthritis (in my ankes, my knees, right hip, right shoulder and two of my fingers), I have good days and bad days. Enough bad days to make working difficult but enough good days to enjoy myself once in a while. For example I go on a photo shot about once a month. I am generally very sore the next day but it is worth it.

My doctor actually encourages me to walk and to type as it is far better to keep the joints working and active.

I do nearly everything in the mornings because, even on good days I am in pain by about 1 or 2 pm and I have to lay down for a couple of hours.

Looking after my little garden takes my about 15 minutes a day. On Sundays, my son helps me with anything I cannot do.

I have various ways of making life easier. I have my kitchen cupboards planned out in such a way that I rarely have to kneel.

I use the disabled buses because they do not have steps. They run regularly to my neighbourhood.

I cook meals that are simple and do not require much preparation (so that I am not standing for too long).

It is no more taxing shopping in a thrift store than shopping in a regular clothes store. Same for buying furniture, or any other item, from a thrift store.

I anly go to fairs and garage sales if they are near by. For example I went to one recently at my local school. I can home with some mixing bowls, a homemade cake, 2 books, a biscuit tin, a plush toy and I had a hamburger in bread (with onion) while I was there. I spent about $12.

Wow...the disability laws must be lax in Australia. In the US, if you are on Social Security disability you are unable to do any of those things. If you can, you can work.

 

[All Seeing Eye]

Wow...the disability laws must be lax in Australia. In the US, if you are on Social Security disability you are unable to do any of those things. If you can, you can work.

Indeed. Just how bad can ones arthritis become when you work as a customer service advisor at a call centre. There are jobs that require physical work and then there are jobs where you mostly just use your brain and mouth. How about a receptionist at a dentists for example? it's all sit down work picking up a phone. Just working part time would probably bring in more money than disability benefit.

 

[Miss Chicken]

The disability laws are humane in Austalia and are similar to laws in many other Western countries.

To get full or part disability pension one must not be able to work 15 hours a week. People are given help to find suitable work up to the amount of hours they are deemed able to work. Also taken into account is that the person needs to be able to cope with day-to-day activities as well.

When I was being accessed I mentioned that I was able to do a small amount of gardening with the help of my son. I also mentioned the fact that I occasionally went on camera shoots when I was up to it.

My mode of transport is taken into account. For example, no-one expects me to look for work more than one bus trip away, or take a job where I would have to travel for more than an hour.

The government had deemed me to be able to work for up to 7 hours a week. If I did get a job that would certainly put an end to my photo shoots (which as I said are not often - I have been on two this year). I also wouldn't go to the fairs as often. I only go to about four a year.

BTW I get a small internet/phone allowance from the government as they want to encourage internet use among pensioners. I get $33.60 a quarter. They obviosly have no problem with me being online.

 

[Lookingglassman]

I am a disabled vet with two new hips, but I work. I am not knocking people who can't work though because I am not walking in their shoes. I know arthritis can be a very painful condition. I have relatives that had it and I saw them suffer so I can imagine how much pain Miss Chicken is in. I hope I dont get it.

 

[Miss Chicken]

Wow...the disability laws must be lax in Australia. In the US, if you are on Social Security disability you are unable to do any of those things. If you can, you can work.

Indeed. Just how bad can ones arthritis become when you work as a customer service advisor at a call centre. There are jobs that require physical work and then there are jobs where you mostly just use your brain and mouth. How about a receptionist at a dentists for example? it's all sit down work picking up a phone. Just working part time would probably bring in more money than disability benefit.

People with arthritis in the hip (which I have) have trouble sitting for long periods of time. I need to either lay down when the pain gets too bad, or have a hot shower. A bath would be better but I cannot easily get in or out of a bath.

In addition I have arthritis in both ankles, both knees, one shoulder, and some of my fingers.

 

[Lookingglassman]

Miss Chicken, I can empathize with you. Before I found out what was wrong with my hips (avascular necrosis - bone death) I thought I had arthritis. I could feel the bones grinding against each other and was on morphine, but quit cold turkey because I was becoming addicted. I had both replaced by the VA. Hip pain is no joke.

 

[Gryffindorian]

I know it's an old saying, but money does'nt buy happiness.

Case in point: Me.
On Wednesday, I was whining about how much my portfolio dropped. Yesterday, my brother died. Guess which one bums me out more? On the other hand, because my brother had money, he was able to go out in the style he wanted.

I'm really sorry about your brother.

I think you bring up a good point here. Money can shield you from the stress of not having the necessities of life but happiness comes from the people in our lives.

Oh, I don't disagree with you ... I think family, friends, loved ones make our lives worth living (well, most of the time). Speaking of family, I'm Asian-American and have quite a strong bond with family members. I share a house with relatives. My parents, brother and sisters, nieces and nephews all live here in the SF Bay Area, and every weekend is like a holiday for us because we often get together. Though I'm not very gregarious, I also have a few close friends with whom I like spending time. So in that regard, I consider myself very lucky, even happy and "wealthy" in the sense of having friends and family.

If you ask me if I'm happy with my life, the answer is clearly YES, but financial security is a whole different story. I guess I'm used to spending time--even by myself--going to different places, buying things, and doing stuff knowing there's plenty of money in my bank account. However, some things have gotten a lot more expensive, and it's gotten difficult to keep up with the bills lately. Money is NOT the answer to everything, but it surely gives us a sense of security and peace of mind.

 

[An Officer]

You post an awful lot and do an awful lot for someone on disability. Just an observation.

Haven't you got anything better to do than harass disabled pensioners? That's about as low as it gets. Disgusting. This ain't the neutral zone buddy.

 

[TGTheodore]

How about a receptionist at a dentists for example? it's all sit down work picking up a phone.

What?

You couldn't be more wrong. You just see the receptionist at the beginning and end of the visit. Most of the time you're laying down in a room with your mouth hanging open.

Dental office receptionists don't just sit and answer phones all day.

Sheesh.

--Ted

 

[Alpha Romeo]

Wow...the disability laws must be lax in Australia. In the US, if you are on Social Security disability you are unable to do any of those things. If you can, you can work.

Indeed. Just how bad can ones arthritis become when you work as a customer service advisor at a call centre. There are jobs that require physical work and then there are jobs where you mostly just use your brain and mouth. How about a receptionist at a dentists for example? it's all sit down work picking up a phone. Just working part time would probably bring in more money than disability benefit.

People with arthritis in the hip (which I have) have trouble sitting for long periods of time. I need to either lay down when the pain gets too bad, or have a hot shower. A bath would be better but I cannot easily get in or out of a bath.

In addition I have arthritis in both ankles, both knees, one shoulder, and some of my fingers.

Yet you have no problems sitting at the computer, gardening or going to photoshoots. No offense, but if you were in this country you'd not be on disability.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

You post an awful lot and do an awful lot for someone on disability. Just an observation.

Haven't you got anything better to do than harass disabled pensioners? That's about as low as it gets. Disgusting. This ain't the neutral zone buddy.

I wasn't harassing anyone. I was simply making a point. She opens the door daily with references to her disability.

 

[An Officer]

Er, dude, she does not live in your country. Strangely enough, there are viable systems outside of the States. Shock/horror!

 

[Kestra]

Yet you have no problems sitting at the computer, gardening or going to photoshoots. No offense, but if you were in this country you'd not be on disability.

Dude, just because she can do those things at some times, doesn't mean she is physically capable of them all the time. I have back problems that at times leave me incapacitated, where all I can do is lie in bed for long periods of time. On good days, I'm well enough to run on the treadmill for an hour. You're not qualified to decide whether or not she would qualify for disability anywhere.

 

[An Officer]

It's just like here in Britain, in times of recession, the newspapers and their mindless frustrated contingent accept diversion tactics to point the heat at welfare for all ills... whereas the fat-cat bankers who cause a mess like this in the first place are retiring and receiving a weekly "pension" twice what someone on welfare gets in the entire year. Welfare expenditure is pocket change in government terms and not the real problem. The state has a responsibility towards it's weaker members, otherwise we are no better than chimpanzees in the forest - and even they adopt and care for one another.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

Yet you have no problems sitting at the computer, gardening or going to photoshoots. No offense, but if you were in this country you'd not be on disability.

Dude, just because she can do those things at some times, doesn't mean she is physically capable of them all the time. I have back problems that at times leave me incapacitated, where all I can do is lie in bed for long periods of time. On good days, I'm well enough to run on the treadmill for an hour. You're not qualified to decide whether or not she would qualify for disability anywhere.

Actually, in the US I am qualified because I know the law.

 

[Alpha Romeo]

It's just like here in Britain, in times of recession, the newspapers and their mindless frustrated contingent accept diversion tactics to point the heat at welfare for all ills... whereas the fat-cat bankers who cause a mess like this in the first place are retiring and receiving a weekly "pension" twice what someone on welfare gets in the entire year. Welfare expenditure is pocket change in government terms and not the real problem. The state has a responsibility towards it's weaker members, otherwise we are no better than chimpanzees in the forest - and even they adopt and care for one another.

Absolutely...so long as they meet the criteria for government benefits.

 

[ManOnTheWave]

Money buys options. It can fulfill physical needs by buying food, clothing, and shelter. It can buy comfort. And for those reasons, I'd rather have it than not. Happiness is something else altogether.