Yep Tabs Is Stupid
 

Today a Good Ole Boy from Texas gave me a call asking about a spoon I have for sale. I got to talking to him, and said, "Your what in your 50's" He replied, "I'm 61, born in 47." Isaid, "You still got a taste of the Depression in you? But I bet your considered to be the spendthrift in your family, because you were born after the Depression." THe man then proceed to tell me about his brothers that were born during the Depression and how well each of them did. All his older Brothers were millionaires. Finally he said to me, "I have often wondered why they all have been so much more successfull than myself, what the difference was...." I said, 'It was the Depression the nawing feeling of having nothing. Not being able to go to work even though youu wanted to go to work because there just were no jobs. So when they got a chance to make and save they did, just in case. Your generation and mine were brought up in flush times, during Americas Golden Age. When a Blue Collar worker without any real skills could get a job in a factory and be middle class."

This is paraphraseing a bit of the conversation for brevities sake, but the pertient words are quotes.

I didn't know you had a brother in Texas.

I suggest pushing yourself down the stairs.

If you were a true gentlemen you would offer to help

Don't discount the brother's experiences in WWII.

TABS - true words not spoken often! My folks were born in 1925 and 1932. Depression kids for sure. They did us a great service by providing us a great life but according to my Dad a grave disservice as well. In his opinion we are 'soft and spoiled on the good life'.

He is sadly right...

This being mental handicap awareness month, I'm temporarily suspending such behavior.

My parents were born in '23 and '24. My dad (now 18 years gone) would relate than when he wanted a bike as a child his dad put him off and put him off. There just wasn't money for things like that. One day my grandfather brings a box home with a bunch of rusty bike parts in it and a frame and says, "Here's your bike, mijo" (spanish term of endearment). My dad was about 10 years old and managed to put it together. He would relate how he had no idea how to do it but would go look in the bike store window for ideas and later how he found a pint of black laquer (REAL lacquer in those days) and brush painted his bike, color sanded it and rubbed it out with old fashioned red rubbing compound. He spoke lovingly of that bicycle.

My mother wanted us kids to have everything she never had. It was a constant issue between my parents. I might be better off today if my dad had prevailed a bit more in those arguments.

so all these depressed methheads you guys have lying around,
they will one day be billionaires ???

no, but the folks selling may be.

Rika

Spot on.

But the story continues. Then the kids of the Depression Generation grew up and wanted even more for their kids. The Depression kids were grateful for a rusty bike, their grandkids DEMAND a new M5. The Depression kids worked hard and didn't have an education beyond high school. Their kids got engineering degrees. Their grandkids got Russian History degrees.

The Depression kids bucked up when things went south. Their kids thought the good times would never end and threw money at every "social injustice" they could imagine. Now things are going south, and they are pining for their mulligan.

We've only gotten softer.

I've started collecting sporks. It's the obvious path to wealth and security in an uncertain world.

Thanks tabs!

Well, RIGHT NOW is the time for fortunes to be made or lost. It all depends on how thick skinned you are, and to a degree, how lucky you are.

I made my wife a spork after she jokingly asked why Oneida didn't make one for our set.

my grandfather was a teenager in the depression. he and his brother's owned an ice cube delivery company....door to door ice sales. he did ok during the depression...but must have learned a lesson because even though he was only a fireman and did odd jobs like plumbing and gutter installation on the side, he had quite a few million dollars saved when he died. never bought anything on credit, never bought a car with fancy electric windows or even air conditioning until he was in his 60's.

unfortunately, a few years after he died, his stock investments went to zero when the companies invested in, went bankrupt. he was a smart man who i apparently learned nothing from because in addition to preaching how to save a penny for the future, also told me never to smoke and never to ride a motorcycle...hmm. he would be ashamed of me

My Dad was born in 1930, saw the tail end of the depression. He is an interesting mix of cheap (he can make copper wire out of a penny he squeezes it so hard) and largess when so inclined.

The key to his fiscal behavior is that we never spent beyond our means...my folks delayed gratification until they could afford it and didn't seem concerned with appearances, which I think is at the root of much consumer spending and debt.

Interesting point is that my folks always bought quality stuff, had an eye for a deal and were patient.

I can tell you Legion that my parents were not indulgent with their children...especially with money. We were expected to work in high school during the summer and and hold a job in college. My experience is that I learned as much from working during school as I did in class.

I expect that is a common story here. After all, most of us drive and maintain used Porsches instead of buying new. ;)

I also think this group is the exception when held against the population at large.

There I was in 1980-something.. Eating "curry rice" in Old Shibuya..:rolleyes:

I had the Western hemisphere rights to that most useful too. Bought it from the Japanese inventors for penny's on the yen.. :(

The patent attorneys drained me dry.:mad:

Well I will tell ya my big mistake is not working and collecting a pay check That along with what I have would probably be just more to lose. However I never spent a dime on anything other than those spoons. I have always shopped for bargains, bought on sale etc. I only have bought 2 new cars in my life and the truck is 10 years old and I am still drivin it. With drivin only 400 miles a month it really isn't worth spending the $$$ on something newer.. That is all I have ever done or known. That is how I was brought up.

I go down to the Mexican Market and buy Tomatoes and Onions for $0.20 lb. I buy my meat at Sams Club at day before expiration "Reduced" prices, and put it in the freezer.

Hate to say it but the quicker people get their heads around going cheap the better off they will be...cause that is the wave of the future. The dance my friends is OVER.

The big question this evening is are EVENTS out of control and alll people can do is go along for the ride. That there is now nothing that can be done to change the course of events? That events are so large no one or institution can change them. This has happened before in history....as in WW1.