Simple man's vices$$$$$

[Beeman]

As long as I can remember the things a simple workingman spent his money on, besides his gal, were cigarettes, beer and gasoline. That used to amount to a little or nothing type expense which is what made it available to everyone, That is until you put it in todays dollars.

[donsgal]

Originally Posted by Beeman

As long as I can remember the things a simple workingman spent his money on, besides his gal, were cigarettes, beer and gasoline. That used to amount to a little or nothing type expense which is what made it available to everyone, That is until you put it in todays dollars.

Beer is pretty cheap compared to the other two. But good whiskey and rum will set you back a pretty penny.

Kinda discouraging isn't it?

donsgal

and then comes ATV's, boats, FISHING!!! and so on.... they get more expensive.

[RichieC]

More expensive cigarettes is one of the best things ever to happen to the "simple workingman"

[bgak47]

Originally Posted by RichieC

More expensive cigarettes is one of the best things ever to happen to the "simple workingman"

In your Opinion, of course. I enjoy smoking, drinking a few cold beers, & I used to enjoy cheap gas.

[ponyboy123]

Ya tell me about it. It used to be at the end of the month there was some money left over, now at the end of the money there is a month left over.

[Bear]

Originally Posted by ponyboy123

Ya tell me about it. It used to be at the end of the month there was some money left over, now at the end of the money there is a month left over.

Boy, isn't that the truth!

[Hoop]

They just raised the taxes $1/pack here in Wisconsin. I understand there is a law working its way through Congress to increase the cigarette tax another $.60.

Good for them. Rarely do they pass good laws, but these are golden. Any law that makes it more difficult for America's children to buy a physically addictive product, that when used properly, will result in the deaths of 400,000 or so each year, isn't all bad.

[oldgaredneck]

Quit smoking ten years ago - did the math once - through the years I spent roughly $ 65,000 for just cigarettes - guess it's a good thing I didn't also drink!!!

[saramark]

I also did the math on smoking, drinking, and drugs that I did as a young man. Figured that I spent about 30 k on that stuff. Accumulated interest on the 7 years since I quit smoking and drugs (have a drink once in a while) should be enough to pay off the house. Unfortunately, I did the math after quitting, rather than before. Live and learn, I guess.

I do still enjoy a ride to the beach, drive around farm country, etc. but can't afford to do much of that anymore. Gas here is $3.13 today


mark

[hmsteader71]

Or try expensive guitars and basses. My dh and I are musicians and our instruments are not cheap. He is always looking at new guitars and basses.

[RosewoodfarmVA]

Simple man's vices$$$$

Yep; trucks, tractors and equipment just keep getting more expensive!

[Old John]

DSW Sharon is always fussin' at me for Looking at "Gun-porn".
I love new Boom-sticks, short ones or long ones, especially name-brands.
And, I love ammo, too. But......It always goes "up-in-smoke".
The Noise is So-o-o-o.......Cool though.
Have Fun, Y'all.

[Beeman]

Originally Posted by RichieC

More expensive cigarettes is one of the best things ever to happen to the "simple workingman"

In reality is it??

[Beeman]

Originally Posted by saramark

I also did the math on smoking, drinking, and drugs that I did as a young man. Figured that I spent about 30 k on that stuff. Accumulated interest on the 7 years since I quit smoking and drugs (have a drink once in a while) should be enough to pay off the house. Unfortunately, I did the math after quitting, rather than before. Live and learn, I guess.

I do still enjoy a ride to the beach, drive around farm country, etc. but can't afford to do much of that anymore. Gas here is $3.13 today


mark

I would never "do the math" on my life. Is all it is about is money?

[Terri]

Originally Posted by Beeman

I would never "do the math" on my life. Is all it is about is money?

It is more about "My family is spending $20 a week on soda. Is there something else the family can do they would like MORE? movies? A day at the lake every month?"

[Ernie]

I got the right gal. Buy her some yarn and books and she's happy as a clam, and I get a sweater out of the deal.

As for the cigarettes, I gave them up a long time ago. Not that I gave up smoking, mind you. I switched to the pipe. You can get a much higher grade of tobacco for a quarter of the price, and the associated health risks aren't near as bad. The difference between a good pipe tobacco and cigarettes is the difference between a pasture fed filet mignon and a Big Mac.

I still buy beer and rum, but I don't go through it in large amounts. It takes me about 6 weeks to go through a six pack of Dos Equis. I enjoy one here and there after a hard day's work in the hot sun. Now rum I tend to drink a little every day ... I put a shot in a cup of hot tea of an evening and it settles me down nicely.

As for gasoline, I don't get out that much, I don't go on vacations, and I don't have a regular job to go to. On the average, a tank of gas lasts me almost a month or more. Make friends with your neighbors. You'll find you don't need to go into town so much for company.

[saramark]

Well, it is about money, health, wasted time, friendships ruined, etc. from the things I did while hooked on painkillers. No, it isn't all about the money, but maybe about how much time I have to spend away from home to make money to pay for all that stuff. I treasure my time with my family now, and the more money we save and the more intelligently we spend, the less stress we have and the more time I have to spend at the beach, going for a walk, etc. Also, my asthma and the seizures I endure daily that keep me from living a normal life were most likely brought on by all those wonderful times I had that I don't remember. My "partying years" have brought a huge price to bear on this worn out body. I will be paying for those times for the rest of my life. I have a great life, don't get me wrong, but I think I could enjoy it more without all the health problems.

mark

[FarmboyBill]

I got a good friend that is a sports junkie. He is always every morning reading the sports pages of the paper, writting down things on it and makeing bets. Theyve done that since I can remember. He looses over a hundred sometimes. Lucky he works 10hr days to pay for it, I also remember when guys tried to get into penny stocks. They couldnt figure it out I guess as it never took off. I was in the SCA 25 yrs, and although I dont suppose I spent more than a grand in all that time., I robbed myself of every saturday during that time to be off my farm and be on the fighting field, or at an event. I miss that precious time now. I also tried to get into old west reenacting, SASS, but, gladly, didnt. I tell people I dont do anything anymore that is fun. BUT BOY AM I MUCH MORE PLESENTLY SATISFIED

[Farmerwilly2]

What a complete load of smoking carp. Using that same logic let's go ahead and oppressively tax all internal combustion engines, since they have led to cars, and we know how many deaths they have caused since coming on the scene. We should probably tax the use of electricity into oblivion since it has allowed folks to be electrocuted, factories to run and produce countless addicting products (television, radio, water pumps), and has lead to the wholesale abuse of copper. I'm of the opinion that we are taxed unmercifully now, be it tobacco, liquor, income or inheritance. I loathe any new taxes, and have a problem with most tax and spend government programs. Good for them?? I say a pox on them and the hand they keep trying to put in my pocket for more and more. As a former smoker I was and am responsible for my choices, the choice to smoke and the choice years ago to quit. Sure raise another tax, we all know that will keep them from smoking. Just like making the sale of them to anyone under 27 yo did. Just like making a whole slew of things illegal made folks quit (pot? heroin? coke? raw milk? Any others?) and follow the straight and narrow.

Originally Posted by Hoop

Good for them. Rarely do they pass good laws, but these are golden. Any law that makes it more difficult for America's children to buy a physically addictive product, that when used properly, will result in the deaths of 400,000 or so each year, isn't all bad.