Some of you here are so lucky!!!

[moderator]

I don't think it's necessarily accurate to say everyone will be "well off" later on if they give it time. Some people choose to enter professions where earning more and "working up" are not a part of life, such as teachers, volunteer ministry to others, etc. My dad purposefully left a job as a research scientist to become a teacher at a job where his pay went substantially down to the point where he couldn't afford much (including a much-needed car and clothing for his family). He did this because he wanted to have a job where he would help people during their formative years, and not have a goal to make a lot of money. While he has long since gotten a better-paying job, his first move was a major sacrifice where he went from so-called "well-off" to "poor." Ironically, during the time my dad had his job and we were poor, we found people more poor than we were and tried to minister to them. There's always someone worse off than you; you can always help others, and it means so much more than making a lot of money! There are all kinds of riches . . . money is just one.

I think it's wonderful when people choose careers where money is something that is not the object. I've had a couple friends enter longterm overseas ministry, which basically means a life of poverty and sacrifice (leaving family, etc.) in order to benefit others. To me, there can't be anything more honorable than that.

Sorry to wax philosophical, but there's so much more to life than how much money you have! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ January 04, 2006 02:16 PM: Message edited by: Melissa ]</font>

[lscogbill]

Sometimes it's also a matter of spending choices. My DD would be considered "lucky" in her AG collection. However, I'm also in my mid- to late-30s, established in my career, and am very frugal in many other buying choices. For example, we don't go to the movies, don't own fancy electronic equipment (burglars would be very disappointed if they broke into my house - we own a 20-year-old TV, a $35 DVD player, a laptop and a Disney Princess radio/CD player with a broken antenna), don't have video games, go to the library rather than purchase books, etc. Grandmothers like to buy DD's clothes, so I don't have to buy those, and I rarely buy new clothes for myself.

BTW - for careers, I highly recommend pharmacy school. My pharmacist friends do quite well (although the doctors still make the most money). The lawyers and engineers also seem to do well. I have friends who are part-timers in these professions and still make about twice my salary.

[wrxgirl]

I think that whatever you go to college for, go for something you are going to end up liking and not mind doing until you retire... many people make this mistake of " OH I have to go and do this, look how much it pays, etc" and I do think to an extent that the more a person makes, the more responsibilities they will have at their job... the more stress, long hours,etc... its not always worth it...
I also think the more you make, the more you spend.. the more you spend, the more stuff you have and the less apperciation you have for it all!
I am downsizing my collection... not because I HAVE to, but because I want to focus on specific dolls and work on their collection... I feel that with too much stuff you cant really enjoy it all... and I honestly dont make that much money.. many of you in your late 20's are married and have children.. have your own house, etc... I on the other hand, am not.... atleast not at this time of my life.... on the downside, I still live with my parents, have a boyfriend that doesnt seem to want to commit to me after 7 years of being together.... etc.... as you can see, I have the money I would be spending on a house, etc.... and am currently putting it into my doll collection.... sorry to ramble, but its not quantity, its quality... atleast to me... Id honestly give up most of my dolls in a heartbeat to live how some of you probably are... a house, kids, etc.... but that may not happen for awhile.. sigh so for now atleast I have my dollies to enjoy!

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ January 04, 2006 02:31 PM: Message edited by: wrx-gal ]</font>

[Grapedy1982]

(although the doctors still make the most money)

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Not true actually. Not unless you spend nearly $200,000 and half your life in training. You also have to be in a group with more than 5 doctors and live in an urban area. I'm a doctor's daughter in a rural area, and it's only been in the last 2 years that my dad has actually made money doing what he loves, and he's been a practicing MD for 22 years. It's next to impossible to have more than a "comfortable" living in private practice in a rural or suburban area.

My collection has grown substantially in the last couple of years only because I can finally afford to buy the dolls and things myself. My parents gave me Molly for Christmas when I was twelve, and then my grandmother's made most of her clothes. I don't buy for her (except for the now retired radio) because my mom wants to complete the collection she started. I buy very slowly, here and there, for my 7 other dolls.

I'm looking into getting a newer car, which would require a bank loan, so my collecting could decrease yet again in a couple of months. But I don't mind! It makes you appreciate what you have even more, and makes it that much more special.