# Anybody Got It All Together - Truly? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 11, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565 "2006-01-11T21:54:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/21 "2006-01-12T16:02:54Z")
> [@fessie](#): > > We’re talking – > > Healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat right > No chronic physical/mental problems (or at least they’re being managed) > Satisfied with appearance > No debt (beyond typical mortgage/car/student loan) > Your house has furniture (those people w/big houses & no furniture, you’re not fooling me) > Happily married (most of the time) > You have friends > Satisfied with career & education Yes to all. And, it’s been that way forever. It’s pretty much the only thing I know. I kind of have bad knees, but it’s not like a genetic thing. I just have always beat on them through exercise and bad decisions. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/22 "2006-01-12T16:12:53Z")
I’m missing several–I’m way overweight (and hate my appearance as a result), I don’t have a lot of furniture yet in my big house, still have a little bit of debt that needs to be retired, and still don’t have much of a social circle in my new town. But I’m happier, because for the first time in years, I feel like I’m getting there. When I consider where I am now compared to where I was even a year ago, much less two or three, it’s amazing how together I have it. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/23 "2006-01-12T17:55:53Z")
> [@](#): > > Healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat right Yep > [@](#): > > No chronic physical/mental problems (or at least they’re being managed) Correct > [@](#): > > Satisfied with appearance Except for a few grey hairs at the temples, yep > [@](#): > > No debt (beyond typical mortgage/car/student loan) Just a manageable mortgage > [@](#): > > Your house has furniture (those people w/big houses & no furniture, you’re not fooling me) Yep > [@](#): > > Happily married (most of the time) In year 8, very happily married > [@](#): > > You have friends Yep, good ones > [@](#): > > Satisfied with career & education Satisfied with education, but career? I have a job only because I need the paycheck. If I could figure out how to get paid as much as I need for poking around in my garage and building things, I’d be leading a blissful existence. So, I guess I’m only \*almost \* blissful. As others have said, this is a good thread to make one realize how the petty annoyances of daily living don’t really mean sh\*t in the grand scheme of things. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2006, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/24 "2006-01-12T22:22:02Z")
Well, if I could time travel back a couple of decades, I’d be 8 out of 8. Right now I’d have to settle for 7 because I am now overweight; although I do exercise regularly now. OTOH, I have no debt, not even a mortgage. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/25 "2006-01-13T03:39:36Z")
1. Healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat right. Yup. I started to work out regularly last August and am in getting in pretty good shape. Hell, I’m even getting _muscle definition_. Whoda thunk? 1. No chronic physical/mental problems (or at least they’re being managed) No, never. 1. Satisfied with appearance My wife is. That’s all that matters to me. 1. No debt (beyond typical mortgage/car/student loan) Have some debt due to bad business, but it’s being paid off rather rapidly. Luckily I was able to dump that dog and I got rid of over $100k worth of debt that could’ve come out of my pocket. I took a $50k bath doing so, but given the downside… I came out lucky on that one. 1. Your house has furniture (those people w/big houses & no furniture, you’re not fooling me) 😕 Of course. But our house isn’t big - even though we were approved for a $350,000 mortgage back in 1999, we purchased a small ranch house for $96k. One that’s within walking distance of three grocery stores, a mall, Wal-Mart, and 42 movie screens. And you wouldn’t know it to look out my window. We’re also rather parsimonious - you can clear out the entire attic, place the contents in our garage, and still have enough space to park both cars. If we had two cars… we like living with one. Again… we’re parsimonious. 1. Happily married (most of the time) All of the time. My wife is the first and only woman I have ever wanted to date. I adore her, and her me, and we both have exactly the sort of relationship that people tell us only exists in fiction. I heard “I love you” more than ten times today, and have said it twice as often (of course, I have my daughter to tell as well). This is so common as to be schmaltzy, but it’s the life we choose to live. I mean… what’s the alternative? A world where you _don’t_ say “I love you?” Let’s put it this way… last night, during “Lost” and “Invasion”, my wife was treated to yet another of my famous massages… head, back, chest, arms, fingers, both scratching (scalp) and massaging (back) to rolling (fingers). For some reason, men don’t like doing that. Me? I have a chance to rub my hands all over my wife last night, for two hours, in a non-sexual action that does nothing but speak to the primate in both of us. 1. You have friends I have the friends I need to have. But I’m far more family oriented and my social needs are largely taken up with that. 1. Satisfied with career & education Yup. I could probably deal with a Masters… maybe next year. My career has been interesting - I’ve both taken over, and sold, businesses. Mine is a recognized name in our industry, as much for my abilities as for my non-standardized career path. You forgot… 1. Beautiful daughter who is the light of my life. Sophie is… everything to her mother and I. Right now I consider myself in my “Sophie time”, a period of my life where I take the demands of career less seriously (as opposed to my twenties and early-thirties) to spend far more time with my daughter than… well, most gainfully-employed dads. Yesterday, for example, I took the afternoon off work (I’m self-employed, if you haven’t figured it out yet) and, after karate, she, her mother, and I went to the park where we flew kites for an hour. I love it. Being a father completes me and makes me happy as nothing, NOTHING has done before. And we are truly honored and blessed to have such a _person_, not “child” but person, as Sophie in our lives. I know… bragging Dad syndrome. But she is honestly the sweetest, most stable and happy person I have ever known. Sophie _loves_… and she loves deeply. 1. Upper six-figure retirement fund. 2. The ability to live my life as I want - for example, this year I’m putting together a fan convention that’s attracting guests from Europe. Why? Precisely because I’ve never done something like that before. I find it amazing that people spend their entire lives, doing the same thing over and over, and then complain about boredom. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/26 "2006-01-13T03:42:41Z")
I also have all my shaggy brown hair, barely going gray. I’m 38. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Giant\_Spongess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@Giant\_Spongess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giant_Spongess)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/27 "2006-01-13T05:16:13Z")
I think I’m too young for this checklist, as I have yet to achieve a career or marriage or a house or even a car. At least I’m (mostly) healthy. That’s a plus! ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/28 "2006-01-13T14:12:01Z")
**JohnT** I thought about putting children on the list, b/c for me that’s the very best part of my life - that you’d add Sophie to yours isn’t surprising, I remember your wonderful stories about her! But I figured for people who haven’t gone there yet it’s impossible to imagine how wonderful it can be — and I also know that when people lack financial AND emotional resources, or don’t have enough time, raising kids is a totally different ballgame. I like your addition “The ability to live life the way I want” – really, I’d say recognizing that ability is more important than financial wherewithal. B/c we ALL have the ability to live life the way we want, if we can only see and accept it. I doubt the 6-figure retirement income is really essential. For myself, since I didn’t answer, I’ve got less than half of the items listed. But I’m working on it. A few years ago I couldn’t have claimed any of them. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/29 "2006-01-13T14:19:35Z")
> [@fessie](#): > > I doubt the 6-figure retirement income is really essential. He’s got a 6 figure retirement FUND. Not a 6-figure retirement income. And, socking money away for retirement is a nice joy itself. It’s peace of mind, and an indication that you’re living within your means. ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/30 "2006-01-13T15:12:37Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > And, socking money away for retirement is a nice joy itself. It’s peace of mind, and an indication that you’re living within your means. True - I agree that living within one’s means is healthy. I was thinking more of the people who HAD big retirement funds that simply vanished when the market changed/CEO’s stole it/whatever. Or the ones who obsess over that figure in the bank. I had grandparents who scrimped & saved for a big retirement – which lasted, maybe, 2 years until my grandfather’s Alzheimer’s kicked in. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/31 "2006-01-13T15:16:36Z")
> [@fessie](#): > > We’re talking – > > Healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat right > No chronic physical/mental problems (or at least they’re being managed) > Satisfied with appearance > No debt (beyond typical mortgage/car/student loan) > Your house has furniture (those people w/big houses & no furniture, you’re not fooling me) > Happily married (most of the time) > You have friends > Satisfied with career & education 1. I’m 6ft. 2 and 200 flat, I go the gym at least four times a week. 2. I’m pretty healthy and no mental health issues. 3. I’m happy with how I look. I could stand to lose about ten pounds but I’m alright. 4. I have no debt other than mortgage and car payments. 5. I live in a row house and we have a good amount of furniture. 6. I’m happily married. 7. I have a good number of friends. 8. I’m satisfied with my education, I would like to earn more money, but who wouldn’t. Overall, I’m content with my life. It’s definitely not perfect and there are things I would like that I don’t have, but that applies to most people. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/32 "2006-01-13T16:49:39Z")
Healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat right - I’m 5’5", 130 lbs. I pay very close attention to what I eat, keep a food and nutrition journal, and exercise for about an hour every day except for every sixth day. No chronic physical/mental problems - None I can thuheeeeeeeeenk dudd klyjodjh sbda\< sdf of. Satisfied with appearance - Yep. I’m a honey. No debt - Just the mortgage and student loan. Your house has furniture - My apartment does. Happily married - I’m happily not married. You have friends - Yep. Satisfied with career & education - For now. When I stop being satisfied, I’ve got outs. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/33 "2006-01-17T02:42:16Z")
Student debt and a nowhere career are the only problems I’ve got. I started exercising again a couple of years ago, so I’m pretty healthy now; not triathlete level, but pretty decent. No mental problems, or addictions for that matter even though I did some experimenting with some substances that are supposed to hook you quite easily. The job situation _will_ be changing soon. That’s my goal for the next year, besides planning a wedding, figuring what country I’m going to live in, how I’m going to provide for children, etc. Yeah, busy year for me. ---
**Author:** ![KesMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/49beb7/32.png) [@KesMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KesMan)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/34 "2006-01-17T04:42:48Z")
about 5/8. which is 63%, thats 2:1 degree so pretty happy with that. (i got a pass). i think some people are being less than honest though. (oops should i move this to IMHO). ---
**Author:** ![KesMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/49beb7/32.png) [@KesMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KesMan)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/35 "2006-01-17T04:44:03Z")
> [@KesMan](#): > > about 5/8. which is 63%, thats 2:1 degree so pretty happy with that. (i got a pass). > i think some people are being less than honest though. (oops should i move this to IMHO). :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/57b2e6/32.png) [@Quasimodal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodal)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/36 "2006-01-17T20:25:43Z")
Weight: 30 pounds over, but I have lost 25! In the right direction here Physical/Mental problems: All good here Appearance: Not really, but it’s something out of my control barring someone’s face being grafted onto mine. Still I’m young and losing weight, I guess I’m okay here No debt: No debt! Thanks Mom! Furniture: Old, but comfy Married: Nope. So I guess I’m doing good! 🙂 Friends: I have some awesome friends. Not enough are females though. Satisfied with career/education: Mostly, though perhaps not forever. I will note that I’m young and ambitious, so really I don’t think I’ll ever be totally satisfied with anything right now. Thats a good thing in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/37 "2006-01-18T04:21:29Z")
Got all the OP’s squares filled. Some only 85%, but that’s close enough for me. Others are overflowing, so it all averages out. Sure, I could always use a few million $ & a babe & to be 20 years younger and to be even more convinced that I’m cool and …, but that’s just a spoiled kid talking. I’m very content the way things are and seem likely to continue. I’m curious what the OP really expected the response to this poll to be. ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/38 "2006-01-18T14:14:13Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’m curious what the OP really expected the response to this poll to be. ::crickets:: was what I thought might happen, it’s been interesting to read the results. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/39 "2006-01-18T15:36:50Z")
**Healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat right** I am slightly out of the recommended BMI range, but I do exercise regularly and eat pretty well, so I am not sweating it. **No chronic physical/mental problems (or at least they’re being managed)** One chronic health condition, being managed **Satisfied with appearance** I am very pretty. I have great teeth. I sometimes wish that I had a real hairstyle. Then my shiny straight hip-length hair gets some attention, and I forget. **No debt (beyond typical mortgage/car/student loan)** No mortgage–rent my house. No car loan–I own it outright. No student loans. **Your house has furniture (those people w/big houses & no furniture, you’re not fooling me)** Yes. Some of it is from Wal-Mart and some of it is from the used furniture store. And then again, some of it is Broyhill. \*\*Happily married (most of the time) \*\* Okay. You’ve got me there. Not married, would rather like to be. **You have friends** Yes. **Satisfied with career & education** Yes. Just got my PhD. Earning plenty of money while looking out for a professorship. ---
**Author:** ![Smashed\_Ice\_Cream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Smashed\_Ice\_Cream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smashed_Ice_Cream)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565/40 "2006-01-18T18:27:29Z")
I think I’m pretty much there. Lessee… Healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat right - check. I’m thin, no, skinny, (104 at 5 foot 7), but that’s how I am; my father was 6’1 and 135. We’re just skinny. I’m pretty athletic, and training to run a marathon in about 14 months. No chronic physical/mental problems (or at least they’re being managed) I’m deaf, so I suppose that counts, but it’s managable. Satisfied with appearance - yep. I like how I look. I come from a family of attractive people, my mohter looks maybe 40 y/o at 64, my grandmother died at 87 looking not a day over 50. I like my hair, my skin is good. I have invisible braces to re-correct a bite problem, but my teeth appear straight. No debt (beyond typical mortgage/car/student loan) 14 house payments to go!! Paid off all credit cards, cars paid for, no student loans for either of us. I pay monthly for my invisaligns, though. I think I owe about 1000? Your house has furniture (those people w/big houses & no furniture, you’re not fooling me) Yep. Some of it leftover from college days, but we’re also remodeling and don’t need more furniture to trip on until it’s done. Happily married (most of the time) 4 years, still haven’t had a fight. My husband is honestly the best spouse on earth. I couldn’t imagine being happier than I am about my marriage. You have friends - I adore them too. Satisfied with career & education. I love my job more than any job I’ve had before. I’m working in a slightly different capacity than my educational background, but it’s something I truly enjoy, and I am treated extremely well at work. I have a PhD, and my husband is about 6 months from his. I’m eternally proud that I accomplished this, and love my field. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-got-it-all-together-truly/339565.md?page=3)