I was tallying up our credit card debt the other day and found out that we owe about 1 and 1/2 months of our take-home pay. Not bad, really. Knowing this now, I plan on addressing it.
So, I submitted this thread, asking folks how much debt they carried. Let’s just say that one or two folks had a teensy bit of smugness in the tone of voice as they declared that they would never carry credit card debt.
So now, I would like to know: What is it that you do or don’t do that others get all smug about?
I’m not asking about booze and cigarettes here; I’m really interested in the mild nagging things that seeming-perfect individuals all do right, annoying those of us who are less than perfect.
Here’s a short list of mine:
[ul][li]I carry 1 and 1/2 month’s pay of credit-card debt.[/li][li]I eat far too much junk food.[/li][li]I have never considered any type of investment beyond my 401k plan, and I set the 401k purchase choices (how much in company stock, mutual funds, what have you) many years ago and have never looked back.[/li][li]I still haven’t signed up for NJ Manufacturer’s insurance (a special low group-rate organization) after 12 years of co-workers nagging me and telling me how much I can save.[/li][li]I spent several years as the only guy in my department who received a “real” paycheck. They all nagged me for years to get direct deposit until I finally caved in.[/li][li]I spent eight or nine years without going to the dentist. It was a vicious cycle, my embarrassment at the time and fear of damage done kept me from going. Happily, when I finally went, I had no cavities. Every time someone mentioned their semi-annual checkup, I recoiled in shame.[/ul]Of course, I cannot cast any stones here since I have my own smug moments.[/li]In particular, I finally got off my butt and started going to the gym three months ago. I go five days a week, and I might accidentally mention this at work from time to time, knowing that finally I’m on the other side of the whole “you should be working out” issue.
Neither of these things bother ME very much, but occasionaly, from married, be-childed women I’ll get “Oooh - Don’t worry honey - it will happen for you some day.”
I met this girl in AF basic training years ago, and she acted smug about the fact that (smug snooty Vassar girl type veneer) “OH, I would NEVER wear jeans, I wouldn’t even wear slacks if it weren’t required here”. (Fatigues must have been her worst nightmare).
??? And this was the 80s. Watching the new recruits come in off the buses, it was almost as if they alREADY had uniforms on. Pegged jeans and cropped striped t-shirts.
If I remember right, she had on a skirt and a twinset.
Drinking, partying, going without sleep on weekends. Never fails to bring out the boring prude in some people. Sometimes I lie and say, “oh, nothing much… watched a few DVDS”, if certain individuals ask me about my weekend.
Listening to a variety of music. “Oh, all that stuff nowadays is crap.” Rii-iight.
Wow Troy- we are in the same boat here. I love diet pepsi, and who cares if it gives me cancer:rolleyes: and yes I do live in Nor Cal too, but whenever I say I’m from California all those east coasters roll their eyes and think “oh it’s another one from LA who can surf.”:rolleyes: at least people think I hug trees:D
That one goes both ways. When someone is telling me about their fantastic partying lifestyle and then asks me what I did over the weekend, I’m embarrassed to admit that all I did was cut the grass, fix a hole my nephew made in the wall, watch a few DVDs, etcetera.
I don’t play golf. I don’t think all women are brainless cum-buckets. So my golfer friends think I’m unsophisticated, and some other friends think I’m deluded.
People are always getting on their high horse and telling me I shouldn’t drop babies on their heads. If they have a better idea on how to drop babies I’d like to hear it.
Drinking a lot of diet soda. (“Don’t you know that soda is BAD for you?” “Really, why?” “All that sugar!” :rolleyes: )
Not drinking coffee.
Then there are the people who say everyone should travel more. Travel abroad! See other countries! If I mention that I don’t have the vacation time or the money I get smug answers “it doesn’t cost that much! Honestly, you shouldn’t worry about time away from your job!” This type of smugness is one of my pet peeves.
Then there are the little tiny things. For example, I don’t throw eggshells down the garbage dispenser - I throw them away. My MIL says in her smug voice “those can go down the garbage dispenser, no problem!” Well, maybe, but I can also throw them away.