[dogbyte12]

Look what is going on here. Dad paid for college. They have no kids. The wife isn't at home, but working, even though they don't need her to do so.

Yeah, we could live that way. But most of us don't. If you both work, live in a moderate home, have your parents pay off your student loans, you too can be like them.

There is a difference between living beyond your means, and living under your means. There is a balance there.

I wonder what exactly they are saving all this money for, if they have no kids, have no mortgage. They probably are so used to not spending money, that they will live the same way after they retire, end up dying with alot of money in the bank. I would rather die with "just $100,000" in the bank, and get nicer clothes, than die with $400,000 sitting in line at the K-mart waiting for the blue light special.

[Mamzelle]

re: Look what is going on here. Dad paid for college. They have no kids. The wife isn't at home, but working, even though they don't need her to do so.)))

I was thinking the same thing--especially the "no kids" part. You don't get this much ahead just by driving a modest car and shopping at KMart and living in a rundown neighborhood...They're selling a false hope.

Not to mention that he's an academic and probably has posh benefits.

[avenir]

"I would rather die with "just $100,000" in the bank, and get nicer clothes, than die with $400,000 sitting in line at the K-mart waiting for the blue light special."

LOL! You're right, there is some balance there.

[deziner]

I noticed that too - it's amazing how much kids cost. Yeah - if I wasn't paying for the kids orthodontics, my college tuition, kids school clothes, live in a decent neighborhood so my kids can go to nice schools, etc. etc. and both of us worked, I guess I wouldn't have as much credit card debt either.

[Conservative til I die]

I would rather die with "just $100,000" in the bank

By your logic, why even bother dying with $100K in the bank? Why not spend it all?

[woofer]

Look what is going on here. Dad paid for college. They have no kids. The wife isn't at home, but working, even though they don't need her to do so.

What would you have her do? Sit on the couch at home all day, eating BonBons and watch soaps?

[protest1]

Yes I tend to agree, I do not think their achievement is any big deal. They have two incomes and no children, most people in their circumstances would have very good finances.

[annyokie]

I thought that, too. We have two kids at home and three grown. Debt free? Forget it.

[FLAMING DEATH]

My dad informed me that due to his thrifty measures, he'll be leaving my brother and I somewhere in the neighborhood of $150,000 when he and Mom pass on. To them, that means more than any possessions that they have now. But, that's just their preference.

I tend to live rather frugally myself, and intend to pass on whatever savings I accumulate to my children too, someday.

[Gunslingr3]

I wonder what exactly they are saving all this money for, if they have no kids, have no mortgage.

because you never know what might happen, or what medical expenses you might incur. Not easy to hop back in the job market at 70 years old if you want the money, unless you want Wal-Mart's money.

[IndyTiger]

You hit it right on the head. My wife and I could be on easy street right now if we had decided to forgo having kids. But our two daughters have brought much joy to our lives, and I can't imagine life without them.

[Go Gordon]

I would rather die with "just $100,000" in the bank, and get nicer clothes, than die with $400,000 sitting in line at the K-mart waiting for the blue light special.

Agreed. I would also add that I'd rather raise a family and enjoy the grandkids than to be a couple of frugal fogies. Heck, I'm 43 with three kids. One is married and has a 2 year old. One is living on her own. The last in the nest is 16, plays high school baseball, basketball and bowls. I smoke, drink, own a 21 foot Palm beach center console (paid for) slipped in a NJ marina, drive a 97 Suburban (paid for), will have the mortgage on the house paid off in a year and have no other debt than the mortgage. I don't quite live up to the formula (Salary $110,000 and non-equity savings/investments of approximately $300,000), but I'd much rather live my life than Mr. Frugal and Mrs. Barrenhouse. Besides, since you never know when your ticket will be puncged, you better reach for the brass ring every day you are fortunate enough to wake up.